Smart Manufacturing MSc

Smart manufacturing is of tremendous significance in the field of manufacturing and is a way to the future. The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University has developed this course as the market of smart manufacturing is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.4% from 2020 to 2025.

Factors that drive the growth of the market include the growing adoption of the fourth industrial revolution, government involvement, complexities in supply chains, and industrial automation in manufacturing, and software systems that reduce time and cost to the market. If you want to be at the forefront of technological growth, this course is for you. 

What you’ll learn

The aim of the programme is to teach you a wide range of hands-on skills in smart manufacturing so you can innovate solutions for complex manufacturing problems through developing state-of-the-art technologies.

This programme will embed the technological revolution deep within the mindset of engineers and teach you the skills to design and develop new technologies that embrace the challenges of future manufacturing.

With an emphasis on practical experience, you’ll have the opportunity to design innovative and cost-effective smart manufacturing solutions using artificial intelligence techniques to solve complex manufacturing problems currently faced by the manufacturing industry such as production scheduling, equipment fault diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.

Digital Twin, which is a digital replica of a physical system, is used in manufacturing to improve efficiency by simulating production processes, identifying potential bottlenecks, and optimizing equipment performance. The program will teach you how to use digital twin technology to improve production scheduling, predict equipment failure, and optimize maintenance strategies. You will then plan, implement, test, evaluate and document your solutions, preparing you for future challenges as you develop your career.

Core Modules

• Industry 4.0
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes 
• Digitalisation of Manufacturing Systems
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Machine Learning
• MSc Major Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Smart Sensors and Control Systems 
• Robot Software
• Applied Industrial Robotics
• Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

• We expect applications from graduates of Bachelors in Engineering in any of the following fields: Mechanical, Manufacturing, Production, Industrial or related disciplines with a qualification equivalent to UK 2:2 or higher.
   
• 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 country webpage.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Learning will include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as practical projects and presentations. You will develop and practice management skills and apply engineering principles to your own work, as a member and/or leader in a team, and learn how to manage smart manufacturing projects. 

Following a multi-million pound investment, we are now home to extensive engineering facilities. From an entire engineering model shop and exclusive Maker Lab to specialist computer labs and more.

As part of the program, you will have the opportunity to apply Digital Twin technology in a real-world manufacturing setting at the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) located on our campus. GBSIoT is a leading centre for advanced manufacturing and engineering and is equipped with a state-of-the-art Cyber Physical Manufacturing Rig. Additionally, you will have access to Aston University's advanced 3D printing facility to further enhance your learning experience.

Our facilities and equipment have been designed to enhance your learning and allow you to conceive, design, build, and operate device prototypes, giving you the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career in robotics and autonomous systems. 

During your time at Aston, you will learn how to Communicate your research findings to a wide audience from different backgrounds in the form of reports, research papers and posters. The course will be assessed through a combination of exams, coursework and practicals.

The Programme Director for this course:

Muftooh Siddiqi

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

You can find out more about our Postgraduate scholarships for international students here. If you are a UK student, please email seaspgtaught@aston.ac.uk  for information on funding.

UK postgraduate loans are now open

If you’re starting a masters course on or after 1 August 2022, you can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

Why study Smart Manufacturing at Aston?

Smart Manufacturing is an incredibly fast growing and exciting sector with a huge demand for people with specialist skills. This course will give you both the knowledge and skills as well as the practical experience to build an interesting career across a range of industries. One of the key technologies you will learn about is Digital Twin, which is a digital replica of a physical object or system that can be used to simulate its real-world behaviour, analyse data, and predict outcomes. You will learn how to implement and use Digital Twin technology in a manufacturing setup and apply it to solve complex manufacturing problems.

What will I be doing on the Smart Manufacturing course at Aston?

You’ll learn in a range of ways, with a focus on the practical application of your solutions. The aim of the programme is to transfer wide range of hands-on skills of smart manufacturing to the students so they can innovate solutions for complex manufacturing problems through developing state-of-the-art technologies.

These are all important skills for developing your future career and will ensure you’re ready for the workplace challenges you’ll face.