Studying a Postgraduate Course in Engineering

In a global economy that places an emphasis on skills and innovation, well-qualified engineers are highly sought after. British engineers are constantly achieving new and groundbreaking solutions that push the boundaries of science and technology and are busy preparing the next generation to take their work forward.

The quality of UK’s science and engineering graduates has played an important role in the country’s economic success over the past 15 years. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) spend approximately £800 million on research and postgraduate training in engineering and the physical sciences, as this is vital to the development of the UK’s economy.

A number of engineering graduates in the UK may already have completed master’s training as part of their undergraduate degree, since many courses lead to MEng rather than BEng qualifications. However, students who have graduated from their first degree from a non-accredited course (accreditation is given by the relevant professional institute) and wish to change their specialisation or even move from another discipline, may be able to convert to a one-year master’s or diploma in their chosen subject

Master’s education is essential to becoming a chartered engineer (CEng) – increasingly an international mark of engineering competence. MSc programmes will normally continue what was learned on the relevant first degree in more depth and will usually involve the student in an extended research project. PhD programmes will allow students to research a particular subject area in much greater depth, and are often sponsored by private companies or organisations who have an interests in the student’s particular area of research.

Areas of specialism

Mechanical and aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering applies the basic principles of physics and materials science to areas of design, manufacturing and maintenance. Within this area, there are a number of different taught and research-based courses to study on – depending upon your specific interest.

Taught programmes often cover practical elements of working in the industry, such as legal obligations, finance, resourcing and project management, as well as systems modelling and simulation, internal combustion engines, engineering application of computational fluid dynamics, renewable energy and air-conditioning systems, industrial systems and CAD/CAM systems.

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Areas of research currently being carried out at institutions in the UK include vehicle and aircraft aerodynamics, design optimisation, combustion and heat transfer, computer simulation, fluid flow, avionics, space systems engineering, robotics, energy technology, optical engineering, surfaces, micro-engineering and diagnostics.

Chemical engineering

This branch of engineering is primarily concerned with the design and operation of industrial chemical processes. There are a number of different Postgraduate study options within this field, from taught courses to research projects.

Taught courses usually deepen the understanding of what chemical engineers learn at undergraduate level. Variations and specialist master’s courses can include topics such as process engineering, chemical product design, pharmaceutical engineering, petroleum geoscience, catalysis and reaction engineering, and materials engineering. Many courses are designed to equip engineers in specific areas of industry.

Research projects can look in greater detail at areas such as pipeline design (for oil or gas transportation), nanoparticle separations, waste-water treatment and sludge handling, flux response technology, developing chemical products with specific functional properties, and hydroinformatics, fuels and hydraulic fluids.

Civil/structural engineering

If you’re interested in the production and design of public buildings and other structures, then you may wish to consider studying for a postgraduate qualification in Civil Engineering.

Taught courses examine the theoretical aspects of structural mechanics such as advanced structural analysis, stability, dynamics, finite element methods, shock and earthquake analysis, and computer-based technology for structural engineering. Students may be able to specialise in areas such as bridge engineering or offshore structural engineering.

Research projects can be taken in all of the above areas, but in greater detail. Examples range from fire safety engineering to construction robotics.

Electrical engineering

If you’re fascinated by the study of electricity and its components then there are a number of suitable postgraduate courses available to study. Most taught causes will cover the theoretical aspects of electrical engineering and will offer a number of different modules in order to equip you with specialist knowledge.

Research programmes can range between subjects as varied as metallurgy for electrical machines, energy storage, communications and signal processing, underwater acoustic communications, device technology, micro-electromechanical structures, microwave engineering, instrumentation systems and electrical power engineering.