Professional Engineering

Course overview

Our dynamic programme aims to cultivate a cohort of top-tier engineers equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to emerge as tomorrow's leaders. Collaboratively, we will tailor the curriculum to align with both your requirements and the demands of your enterprise, ensuring that learning objectives are seamlessly integrated into pertinent tasks and projects.

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"The Sustainability module was transformative, reshaping my perspective and leading to accreditation as an Advanced Data Science Professional. Integrating real-world studies into projects benefited both my learning and my employer. The exceptional teaching and mentorship refined my communication skills and report writing abilities."

Stephen Dakin

MSc Professional Engineering

Current student

Why Professional Engineering at Aston University?

Chartered Engineer status

Meets the academic requirements for professional registration

TEF Gold

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Distance learning

Learn whilst in full-time employment

Ranked 24th in the world

Aston University is ranked 24th in the world for reducing inequalities

Top 10% in the world

Aston University placed in the top 10% of all 5,663 institutions evaluated

Discover what's possible

Here is Aston University, a green, campus based university in the heart of Birmingham city centre. With gold rated teaching, coupled with state of the art facilities, Aston University is the smart destination from which to launch your career.

Course description

MSc Professional Engineering

The MSc Professional Engineering degree at Aston University will put you in control, giving you the skills to lead and undertake complex engineering projects. This programme provides a flexible work-based learning experience enabling the students to tailor their learning and assessment to suit their role and company.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK's second-largest city, delivered by academics, researchers, and visiting professors from industry, who will bring the subject to life.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

What you will provide
It is important to be employed in the engineering sector and have aspirations to become a chartered engineer. We are looking for students who seek challenges and value independent learning. Your company's support for engaging in diverse workplace projects is crucial.

What skills we teach
You will develop a wide range of skills including proficiency in emerging and current technologies, project management, engineering leadership, and effective problem-solving. These skills equip you with the ability to navigate rapidly evolving technologies, effectively manage projects from inception to completion, lead teams with confidence and vision, and tackle complex challenges through problem-solving approaches.

Career prospects
Upon completing this programme and achieving Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, you'll be equipped with the academic knowledge and technical skills necessary to advance your engineering career. Most graduates transition into management roles within the engineering industry, leveraging their expertise to lead teams and drive innovation.

How you will learn

Your learning will take place through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous seminars, self-study packs, and personalised one-to-one supervision sessions. This multifaceted approach ensures flexibility and tailored support throughout your learning journey.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance. The Learning Development Centre is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you.

What you will learn

On this programme we will initially provide you with a Professional Development Audit, where we assist you in assessing your current learning and determining the additional requirements necessary to obtain the chartered engineering status.

You will engage in four compulsory modules alongside optional ones tailored to your specific interests and goals. Comprehensive mentoring and supervision will be provided throughout the program by both the university and your employer, ensuring robust support along your educational path.

Each module will integrate formal learning via distance education and hands-on application through workplace projects, offering flexibility and customisation to suit your requirements.

Facilities

Aston University campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs, collaborative spaces, and resources to aid your studies and research.

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MEng electronic student working on frequency equipment

Our Postgraduate Experience

We spoke to MSc Professional Engineering students Mark Vivian and Joao Lemos about their postgraduate experience, why they chose to study at Aston University and what the future holds for them! Find out about Joao and Mark's experience

Course objectives

Enables you to acquire the masters level knowledge, understanding and skills required for full UK professional registration as a Chartered Engineer, whilst either remaining in full-time employment and studying through a suitable blended programme of work-based, project-based, and technology-enhanced, distance learning.
Provides you with a framework in which you can plan and carry through a structured schedule of activities designed to the develop and demonstrate competences required for Chartered Engineer registration.
Provides you with an environment where you can develop an enhanced range of critical thinking skills through reflective practice applied to a sequence of project based, or work based, learning activities.
Supports you with a wide range of engineering specialisations . The learning and assessment undertaken by you, and the associated learning outcomes, will be specified in an individually agreed learning agreement t based on your specialisation and previous experience. The learning agreement will specify how the generic modules listed below are interpreted to suit your needs.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Modules

Modules

You will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Professional Development Audit	15
Current Technologies and Applications	15
Emerging Technologies	15
Sustainability	15

Choose 60 credits from the below options:

Module Title	Credits
Design Methodologies	15
Scientific Foundations	15
Engineering Analysis	15
Project Management	15
Further Topics in Engineering Management	15
Product Delivery	15
Professional Literature Study	15
Extended Integrative Option	30
Strategic Financial Management	15
Business Landscape	15
Supply Chain Management	15
Human Resources Management	15
Total	120

Module Title	Credits
Major Project	60

Outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Apply your critical awareness and systematic knowledge and understanding of current technologies and their scientific principles to a real work application at the forefront of expertise associated with your employment context.
Use your knowledge of emerging or developing technologies related to your engineering discipline to investigate and evaluate your potential applications to an employment related engineering problem or issue.
Use a deep and broad grasp of sustainability issues, to evaluate and investigate the effectiveness of either an existing or a potential sustainability related technology associated with your employment related context.
Use specialist expert engineering knowledge and understanding appropriate to your engineering discipline required to safely, successfully and sustainably undertake complex employment related engineering or engineering management tasks.
Demonstrate self-direction, originality, and independent decision making, in the investigation and solving of complex and unpredictable engineering problems related to your employment context.
Effectively employ critical reflection and thinking skills to analyse your own professional capabilities, construct your own continuous professional development programme, and advance your knowledge and understanding.
Demonstrate effective technical and commercial leadership skills to manage a significant engineering project requiring the application of theoretical and practical engineering knowledge and understanding in accordance with the obligations and competences required of a professional engineer operating at a level equivalent to a Chartered Engineer.
Effectively communicate with a wide range of engineering stakeholders using appropriate methods and formats.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

MSc Professional Engineering is suitable for people who aspire to fully qualified professional engineer status (CEng) and are already part way there, normally through a first or good second class UK accredited honours degree at Bachelor’s level (BEng or BSc) supported by several years of employment experience gaining practical competence and responsibility. Other academic qualifications may be accepted depending on work experience.

Qualifications from outside the UK will also be considered: the Admissions Officer will advise as to whether these qualifications are the equivalent of the level of Honours degree required. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your future webpage.

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£7,150

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£8,250

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Assessment

You will be assessed work-based projects, the projects undertaken are briefed by the company you are currently employed with.

Career prospects

Successful completion of our Professional Engineering masters means you’ll meet the educational requirements to become a Chartered Engineer. To become chartered, you’ll also need to satisfy your professional institute that you have the appropriate practical competencies.

Our recent graduates come from a wide range of industries and sectors, and the skills and experiences they learned have proven invaluable to their personal and professional development.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham