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Systems Engineering Management MSc

The Systems Engineering Management MSc has been specifically designed for the needs of engineering professionals working in the field of complex systems development. The programme encompasses not only the technical tools and approaches needed to build success in this area, but also the management dimension of the relevant processes.

Covid-19 programme updates

Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2020

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years
Flexible: 2-5 years

Application dates

All applicants
Open: 1 November 2019
Close: 11 August 2020
Notification
Due to the large number of applications received, this programme is no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open later in the year.

Tuition fees (2020/21)

UK/EU:
£21,580 (FT)
£10,860 (PT)
Overseas:
£32,250 (FT)
£16,280 (PT)


Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.

Optional qualifications: This degree is also available as a PG Diploma and a PG Certificate with fees set accordingly.
Accreditation: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Location: London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. At least two years' experience working in an engineering/technology environment is expected.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

About this degree

Students gain an integrated, interdisciplinary view of complex systems and an advanced understanding of the systems engineering process. They gain the ability to apply this process to a variety of real-world situations and the management skills necessary to facilitate the development of complex systems on time and within budget.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core taught modules (60 credits) two optional taught modules (30 credits) and three research modules (90 credits). Modules are generally taught as intensive five-day 'block weeks' to minimise time away from the office.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time one academic year, or flexible study up to five years) is offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 12 weeks, or flexible study up to three years) is offered.

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Systems Engineering Management. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Systems Engineering Management. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Systems Engineering Management.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

  • Systems Thinking and Engineering Management
  • The Business Environment
  • Risk, Reliability, Resilience
  • Lifecycle Management

Optional modules

Students choose two of the following:

  • Systems Design
  • Project Management (with option to acquire additional Association for Project Management qualification)
  • Delivering Complex Projects
  • Defence and Security Systems
  • Rail Systems
  • Space Systems
  • Technology Strategy
Covid-19 module updates
Due to COVID-19, there may be updates to the modules for your chosen programme of study this year. Some modules may not be available or may need to be moved to a later term or year of study. These updates are relevant for 2020-21 academic year only.  The full list of modules will be available in the module catalogue from late August.  From the first week of September, you will be invited to complete module selection from Portico, our student record system. There may need to be additional updates or changes to modules during the academic year to allow for new guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Your department shall keep you updated of these changes as they become available.

Research modules

All MSc students undertake a structured research programme comprising the following mandatory modules:

  • Systems Engineering in Practice (15 credits)
  • Systems Engineering Project Concept (15 credits)
  • Systems Engineering Research Project (60 credits)

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, discussion sessions, workshop activity, and project work. Each taught course will be separately assessed through a combination of course work and a written examination. The project will be assessed through written dissertation and subsequent oral examination.

Covid-19 contact hours on campus
In Term One, while campus will be open, all the learning activity for the core content of your modules will take place online – including lectures, tutorials, seminars and assessments. By “core content” we mean everything you need to learn to complete the module successfully. In addition to these online contact hours, we will be offering some face-to-face educational activities for students on campus, and we will provide alternative online activities for those students unable to join us on campus. These activities, which will include contact with academic staff, will be relevant to your programme of study may include seminars, academic and employability skills workshops, small-group or individual tutorials, lab and practice-based teaching. UK Government safety guidelines will limit the amount of ‘in person’ activity we can offer and while it will vary from programme to programme, is likely to be no more than 1-2 hours per week. This will vary across departments, particularly if your programme includes laboratory/practical/studio/workshop sessions. You will be updated with more specific details as they are available and your timetable will indicate which sessions will be on campus and which will be available online.
Covid-19 assessment updates
There may be changes to the format of assessments for modules in this programme due to COVID-19. These will be summarised for each module on the module catalogue from 17 August 2020.   If any changes to assessments need to be made during the academic year due to updates in government guidance, these will be communicated to you as soon as possible from your department.    
Communicating further Covid-19 mitigation plans
We are continuing to follow UK Government guidance, as well as the expertise of our researchers, including specialists in health, education, human behaviour and infection prevention, to make sure UCL is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it becomes necessary to make further changes to your programme as a result of new guidance/regulations, UCL and your department will communicate these as soon as this becomes clear. We will keep you up-to-date with our plans throughout term one, so you have the information you need to be able to take decisions that are right for your circumstances. Please ensure that you keep in touch with your department by regularly checking your UCL emails, Moodle courses, the Coronavirus FAQs for Students page and any UCL online groups or social media you follow.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Funding

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Brown Family Bursary

Note:
This scheme is now closed for 2020/21
Value:
£15,000 (1 year)
Eligibility:
UK
Criteria:
Based on both academic merit and financial need

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Complex systems are commonplace in many branches of UK industry including rail, aerospace, defence, and manufacturing. The ability to create such systems effectively is crucial to the competitiveness of these industries and has a direct bearing on the wealth of the nation.

Why study this degree at UCL?

This MSc combines academic rigour with the practical expertise exemplified by our collaborators in UK industry and government. The flexible programme enables participants to structure their studies to suit their own career goals, and is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as a programme of further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

The programme combines interactive lectures, group exercises and case studies to reinforce key points. Lecturers are experts in the field, many of whom have engaged in the practice of systems engineering in industry, and all of whom oversee research across a broad range of subjects relating to systems engineering, project management and technology management.

Industry is operating in an environment where technology changes rapidly, and where global competition grows ever more intensive. The challenge to remain competitive means we must make the right thing at the right price. Our MSc equips graduates with the skills to meet this challenge.

Department: Space & Climate Physics

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

The programme is targeted at relatively experienced individuals in industry who are supported by their employer, from a range of careers including specialist design, engineering management, business development, production and support engineering, technical project managers, and engineering team leaders. Independent students with appropriate industrial experience will also be considered.

Application deadlines

All applicants
11 August 2020

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Systems Engineering Management at graduate level
  • why you want to study Systems Engineering Management at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 13 August 2020