Courses

Maintenance Engineering (with optional placement) MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Maintenance Engineering (with optional placement) MSc/PGDip/PGCert

School of Engineering

Level

Post- graduate

Mode

Taught

Campus

Preston

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Course Enquiries
University of Central Lancashire
Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk

  • Duration:

    September entry : 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time; January entry: 16 months full-time, 24 months part-time.

  • Level:

    Postgraduate

  • Mode:

    Taught

  • Delivery:

    Campus, Full-time and Part-time

  • Campus:

    Preston

  • Start Date:

    September, January

  • Award Type:

    MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Why study this programme?

MSc Maintenance Engineering is suitable for engineers who have recently graduated as well as those with experience who are seeking to extend their knowledge, or update their qualifications with a view to promotion or other new position.

The course aims to develop students' knowledge in maintenance engineering, tribology, maintenance of complex systems and systems integration. This postgraduate award covers both technical and management aspects of maintenance engineering and forms a suitable basis for a career in a range of roles associated with maintenance engineering on mechanical plants, such as: asset management, plant maintenance and preventative maintenance.

Entry Requirements

MSc - A first or second class Honours Degree in an engineering or science subject, or a professional qualification or combination of qualifications and experience which demonstrate the knowledge and skills equivalent to first or second class honours degree standard in science or engineering. Applicants who do not obtain the appropriate level of Honours Degree for admission to the MSc course will be recommended to join the PGDip course (with possible transfer to MSc) if appropriate. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake a Top-Up degree Entry programme first.

PGDip - A third class Honour Degree in an engineering or science subject or a professional qualification or combination of qualifications and appropriate experience which demonstrate the knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard in science or engineering. Applicants who do not obtain the appropriate level of Honours Degree for admission to the PGDip course will be recommended to join the PGCert course (with possible transfer to PGDip) if appropriate. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake a Top-Up degree Entry programme first.

PGCert - An honours or non-honours degree in an engineering or science subject or a professional qualification or combination of qualifications and appropriate experience which demonstrate the knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard in science or engineering. Students that are seeking Chartered Engineering status without an honours degree may have to consider topping-up their current qualification with modules from the honours degree course. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake a Top-Up degree Entry programme first.

Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate competence in the language. The normal minimum standard required is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Programme at a Glance

MSc Programme Structures

180 credits

  • Core module - Module 1
  • Compulsory modules - Modules 2-4
  • Optional modules - Choose two from Modules 5-8, PLUS ONE module from Module 9-10

 

MSc with Professional Placement
  • As above with an additional option (120 credits)
  • Optional module 11

 

MSc with Work Placement
  • As above with an additional option (60 credits)
  • Optional module 12

PGDip Programme Structures

120 credits

  • Compulsory modules - Modules 2-4
  • Optional modules - Choose two from Modules 5-8, PLUS ONE module from Modules 9-10

 

PGCert Programme Structures

60 credits

  • Compulsory modules- Modules 3-4
  • Optional modules - Choose one from Modules 5-10

Further Information

Maintenance strategies are central to the smooth operation of complex industrial processes in a wide range of industries including automotive, pharmaceutical, nuclear, petrochemical, and aerospace industries. The planning and implementation of professional maintenance strategies can reduce costly breakdowns which may interrupt production, contribute to sustainable engineering practice to the benefit of the environment, improve safety and drive down costs.

Module 1 - Project (Engineering)
The aim of this module is for the student to undertake a major piece of advanced level work having some significant elements of research and originality. This will require the student to specify, plan, execute and report a programme of work leading to the investigation/design of a product / system / service incorporating a number of the following activities: investigation, analysis, design, implementation / simulation, evaluation, test, manufacture, with aspects involving the study of current research or advanced developments (academic or industrial) leading to the development of new knowledge, methods or applications.

Module 2 - Research Methods
The aim of this module is to develop the individual skills necessary to conduct technical studies at an advanced level effectively.

Module 3 - Design & operation of sustainable systems
This module aims to synthesise bearing designs that minimise power loss, evaluate bearing material or coating selections that minimise friction and wear, employ ISO standards in the design of lubricant management systems, design condition-monitoring solutions of typical industrial machines based on an understanding of their performance and running characteristics, synthesise reliability and maintainability analyses of mechanical or electrical devices.

Matience Student

Module 4 - Advanced materials & Materials selection
This module aims to identify the relationships between structures and mechanical properties of engineering materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers and composites; understand types of material failure including, fast facture, fatigue, creep, and corrosion and oxidation, be familiar with design with materials, including modulus-limited design, yield-limited design, fatigue design and creep-limited design; to understand criteria for materials selection.

Matience Engineering

Module 5 - Sustainable Systems Development
This module examines the main methods for developing sustainable engineering programme for industrial plants. It provides a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice of sustainable systems engineering strategies to achieve high plant efficiency, optimise on product quality, and address safety and environmental issues. In completion of the module you should demonstrate ability to apply and contrast theoretical knowledge of sustainable engineering, demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of Energy and Waste management in industrial plants, demonstrate ability to apply the knowledge of Health and Safety management, plan and manage a small to medium sized multi-partner maintenance project to its successful conclusion.

Module 6 - Sensors, instrumentation & Control
The aim of this module is to introduce methods of computer interfacing of industrial or scientific instruments and data processing for monitoring and control of engineering processes, to provide students with a sound understanding of the use of advanced instrumentation and sensing methods, to apply signal processing methods and system design methods.

Matience Module 6

Module 7 - Student initiated module full module
The aim of this module is to enhance the student's ability to work independently, to provide an opportunity for the investigation of a topic of particular interest to the student, to enhance the student's skills in report writing and critical evaluation, to enhance the ability to evaluate the results of an investigation.

Module 8 - Renewable Energy Technology
The aims of this module are to provide students with Engineering knowledge of various renewable energy technologies; Scientific understanding of the contributions which the renewable sources can make, the technologies used to harness them and limitation associated with their uses; Practical skills in developing renewable energy projects.

Maintenance Picture 4

Module 9- Maintenance Management strategies
This module examines the main methods for developing a modern maintenance programme for industrial plants. It provides a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice of reliability centred maintenance and total productive maintenance strategies to achieve high plant availability, optimise on product quality, and address safety and environmental issues. The module will also consider shutdown and turnaround within maintenance of complex systems.

Module 10 - Advanced Computer Aided Design*
This module enable students to gain a deeper understanding of Computer Aided Design (CAD). Students will analyse the requirements for complex 3D CAD models and to build coherent solutions. This will include assemblies, complex surfaces, parametric design, etc, Students will describe and evaluate the theoretical basis behind 2D and 3D CAD. Students will be able to analyse appropriate problems and provide solutions using a Parametric Programming language.

* Module 10 only available to students that have already taken Maintenance Management module at undergraduate level.

Credits
Module 1 is 60 credits
Modules 2-10 are 20 credits

Module 11 – Professional placement (Engineering)

This module allows students to develop an understanding of the professional practices associated with working in the engineering industry. Students will research, secure and undertake a period of work experience or industrial placement in an organisation appropriate to the field of study. The placement period should normally cover a minimum of 38 weeks full-time throughout the course of the module and a maximum of 40 weeks. Subject to negotiation with tutors, the placement might extend across more than one organisation. Students will be expected to reflect upon this work experience critically and to apply their experience to theoretical and conceptual elements of their course.

Module 12 - Work placement (Engineering)

This module allows students to develop an understanding of the professional practices associated with working in the engineering industry. Students will research, secure and undertake a period of work experience or industrial placement in an organisation appropriate to the field of study. The placement period should normally cover a minimum of 10 weeks full-time throughout the course of the module and a maximum of 15 weeks. Subject to negotiation with tutors, the placement might extend across more than one organisation. Students will be expected to reflect upon this work experience critically and to apply their experience to theoretical and conceptual elements of their course.

How to Apply

Our Postgraduate section has more information around applying including visiting UCLan and the support available.

If you want to continue and apply now, you can apply for many of the postgraduate UCLan courses using our Online Application System.

For other postgraduate courses you can apply directly to UCLan by downloading a Postgraduate Application Form (.pdf 190KB) please also see our Postgraduate Application Guidance Notes (.pdf 158KB).

Handbook

For detailed information about studying this course at UCLan, please see the course handbook for your year of entry:

For information on possible changes to course information, see our Important Information.

Applications

Apply now or see further information about postgraduate study and research. International students should visit our international pages.

Contact Us

Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400

Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk

Fees 2020/21

Full-time: £6,900 per year (UK/EU)
Part-time: £765 per 20 credits (UK/EU)

Further information:

For 2019/20 fees please refer to our fees page.

UK Government Postgraduate Loans Scheme

If you're thinking of studying a master's or doctoral degree you could be eligible for a loan from the Government to help you study.

For additional help with financing your studies, UCLan offers a range of Postgraduate scholarships, studentships, bursaries and the Alumni loyalty discount.

View further information

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Professional Accreditation

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

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Learning Environment and Assessment

The course adopts a range of approaches to the delivery of curriculum including: case studies, lectures, practical sessions, independent learning guided by a tutor and tutorial sessions.

Assessment of learning is conducted by a range of methods including: tutorial questions, examination, use of online assessment via Blackboard questions, extended assignments, presentations, poster defence and written reports.

The course benefits from world-class facilities in tribology, surface engineering and intelligent condition monitoring with a wide range of equipment (laboratory and industrial scale) and computer modelling facilities relevant in maintenance.

Why choose a placement?

To enhance your work experience you will have an opportunity to undertake a professional placement as part your MSc. This will extend your study time by six to twelve months depending on the length of the placement. Alternatively, there are opportunities to choose an industry-based project.

You are responsible for finding your own placement. We will support you in preparation for this with the Faculty Placement Team and UCLan Careers, who can help you plan and develop your CV and applications, and have practice interviews.

Opportunities

On successful completion of this programme, students will be eligible to apply for progression to world-leading research degrees within the Jost Institute for Tribotechnology. You may find further information on research degrees.

The course is suitable for engineers who have recently graduated as well as those with experience who are seeking to extend their knowledge, or update their qualifications with a view to promotion or other new position. The award covers both technical and management aspects of maintenance engineering and forms a suitable basis for a career in a range of roles associated with maintenance engineering on mechanical plants, such as asset management, plant maintenance and preventative maintenance.

 

Academic Expertise

The course is taught by research active members of the Jost Institute of Tribotechnology, meaning there is a collaborative working environment and a close link with a vibrant, research-active community:

  • Dr. Ahmed Onsy is a lecturer in condition monitoring and maintenance engineering, and course leader for MSc Maintenance Engineering. He is lecturing sensor, instrumentation and control, design and operation of sustainable systems. His main research interests are intelligent machines, diagnostics and health management systems, smart maintenance systems, advanced mechatronics and embedded systems. He is a member of the Jost Institute.
  • Dr Gonzalo Garcia-Atance Fatjo is a lecturer in engineering, materials, tribology and surface engineering. Gonzalo is research active within the area of tribotechnology and is a member of the Jost Institute
  • Dr Nathalie Renevier is a senior lecturer and course leader for BEng (Hons) Mechanical Maintenance Engineering. She is lecturing maintenance management and is coordinating all the undergraduates projects. Her area of research is surface engineering (coatings, surface treatments) and is a member of the Jost Institute
  • Professor Ian Sherrington is Professor of Tribotechnology and Director of the Jost Institute. He contributes to mechanical systems reliability
  • Professor Ted Smith is an honorary professor. He contributes to mechanical systems reliability. His expertise is in Lubrication and lubrication management
  • Dr Martin Varley is a Principal lecturer and Lead academic for all our engineering courses. He is co-ordinating master projects and student led modules . His area of research is in digital engineering and is a member of the Applied Digital Signal and Imaging Processing Research Centre

I'm glad I have been able to apply the knowledge gained during the taught programme at UCLan to my job and the career I hope to build.

Obi Adogu 

Facilities

Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC)

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During your studies at the UCLan Preston campus you’ll benefit from our new £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC).

Located within one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK, the EIC provides an integrated space for teaching and research with direct links to industry enabling you to work on live, real-world projects with commercial partners in state-of-the-art facilities. Find out more.

  1. Intelligent Condition Monitoring Laboratory; Intelligent machines and Intelligent maintenance systems research; Mechatronics, Tribotronics, Autotronics
  2. Intelligent Structural Health Monitoring Laboratory; Smart structures and advanced monitoring systems
  3. Tribotechnology Laboratory: Tribology problems solving such as surface engineering at different scales, and lubrication problems
  4. Engineering / CNC Workshops