Since the publication in 1996 of Lean Thinking (Womack and Jones), ‘Lean’ has established itself as the most effective and most widely adopted improvement methodology for operations in the world. With roots in the Toyota Production System and in earlier approaches, Lean has expanded vertically into accounting, marketing, HR, IT, design and R&D, and logistics, and horizontally into service, health, government, and banking. Lean is now integrated with other effective approaches including Systems Thinking and Six Sigma. The Buckingham degree is titled ‘Lean Enterprise’ rather than ‘Lean Operations’ . The focus, however, is on integrated operations rather than on learning a range of diverse disciplines or tools.
Whilst today not everyone agrees with the term ‘Lean’, the principles learned in this degree are now ‘mainstream’ in any aspiring operation.
Find out more about our Business School on http://www.buckingham.ac.uk/business.
The 22 month, part-time Buckingham MSc is specifically designed for practising managers working, or aspiring to work, in the delivery of services or products. The degree is in ‘enterprise’ because most organisations rely on the integration of employees, customers and suppliers to deliver value. This involves end-to-end value streams from understanding customer requirements, through design and operations and on to product or service delivery. Knowledge of accounting, quality, design, innovation, service are all necessary.
The typical age of participants is 30s and 40s. All participants have considerable experience and are contributors as well as recipients.
Buckingham has an ethos of student support, consistently leading the National Student Survey for student satisfaction. As a private university with a Royal Charter, Buckingham has great opportunities for innovation. The MSc is part of the Buckingham Lean Enterprise Unit (BLEU).
The staff of the programme are all experienced Lean, Systems, and Six Sigma practitioners as well as all having years of experience in hands-on Masters-level Lean teaching.
The philosophy of the programme is that Lean can only effectively be learned with hands-on practice. Hence, a considerable part of the programme is held on-site at plant and service locations. By the end of the programme, participants will have taken part in real exercises (not just case studies) in several organizations in several sectors.
Mentoring is an important part of learning about Lean. Detailed mentoring, feedback, and discussion are important incorporated aspects. Networking, of course, is also a valuable aspect that results from the class profile.
The student group is deliberately small to allow both practical hands-on participation and personal interaction with some of the leading practitioners in the UK.
During the first 13 months, students take eight 5-day modules, all of which are assessed by assignment. Extensive use is made of electronic meetings and mentoring. An iPad is recommended.
The modules are a set, one flowing into the next, building into an integrated system. Hence there are currently no elective modules. Several staff contribute on more than one module.
Modules on the course are as follows:
By the end of the programme participants will have taken part in real exercises (not just case studies) in several organisations and sectors.
Mentoring is a fundamental part of learning about ‘Lean’. Feedback and discussion are all important aspects of the programme. Networking is also a valuable aspect; our class profile and student group is deliberately small to allow both practical participation and personal interaction with some of the leading practitioners in the UK.
In year two, students write a dissertation and regular feedback sessions take place, both face to face at various locations and electronically.
This course is for engineers or graduates who want to become technical specialists or managers in industrial and manufacturing companies.
It increases your career potential by improving your
This course helps you understand concepts and theories behind developing, manufacturing and managing engineering products and systems. You learn to explore and apply developments in engineering and management academic thinking and industrial practice.
You study
There is a wide range of optional modules including • lean operations and six sigma • advanced manufacturing technology • applicable artificial intelligence • computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture • advanced computer system architecture • network applications.
The international product development module involves working in multidisciplinary teams to develop a new product in a global market. This allows you to develop much sought after advanced technical and business skills and improves your career prospects in engineering industry, and public service. This project also develops your particular interest in a supported environment.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer; graduates who have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the further learning requirement for CEng accreditation.
This course is also accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council and will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng, will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration. It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme, who do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their first qualification individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
This programme is CEng accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and fulfils the educational requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer when presented with an CEng accredited Bachelors programme.
Core management modules
Core technical modules
Optional modules
Two from
• lean operations and six sigma • management of strategy, change and innovation • manufacturing systems
plus two from
• advanced control methods • advanced investigatory techniques for materials engineers • advanced manufacturing technology • advanced metallic materials • advanced vibration and acoustics • applicable artificial intelligence • computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing • communication engineering • communication media • computer networks • competitive design for manufacture • competitive materials technology • control of linear systems • digital electronics system design • digital signal processing • embedded systems • equipment engineering and design • industrial applications of finite element methods • industrial automation • machine vision • microprocessor engineering • advanced computer system architecture • network applications • object-oriented methods • operating systems • robotics • software engineering • VSLI
MSc
If you are a new graduate, this course gives you the knowledge and skills to begin a career as a technical specialist or manager. If you are already employed in engineering, it improves you career potential and can lead to roles with greater responsibility.
It can also help towards a career teaching engineering.
Driven by the rapid growth of global manufacturing and services, the management of global supply chains and logistics have become vital to business success for organisations around the world. This course gives you the knowledge and skills required to manage global supply chains and associated logistics.
This course is suitable for
Developed by academics with extensive research and consultancy experiences, the course covers strategies, management, technology and systems. You learn modern approaches to supply chain management such as lean, six-sigma and operations management which are integral elements of the course. SupplyChainGuru, an award winning modelling platform is used to demonstrate design and operation principles.
In modern supply chains, technology plays a critical role. For example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is now widely used to track shipments through supply chain. This course covers essential technologies required to operate global supply chains which also include warehouse automation and transportation.
Modern IT systems integrate different elements of supply chain to provide the total visibility and information required to drive supply chain operations. The course uses the world’s leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, SAP, to demonstrate how modern ERP systems are used to integrate supply chain operations.
As a member of the SAP University Alliance, we use SAP software modules to enhance your learning experience and the course includes a SAP training academy. You also can take examinations at extra cost, which lead to SAP qualifications in one of the world's leading business technologies.
The dissertation project enables you to apply what you learn on the course. The course team has extensive links with the industry, which means it is likely that you will be able to work with a company during your dissertation. It is also possible to work on on-going research projects which are managed by the course team.
You attend a series of guest lectures and industry visits to enhance your learning experience and to make you understand how theories and technologies are used in industry. Guest speakers include supply chain professionals from manufacturing, retail, health, food and pharmaceutical industries.
The courses enhances your career potential by improving your knowledge and skills in
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) and offers full exemption from the education requirements for Chartered Membership for graduates achieving an overall average mark of 50% or more.
This course is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Learners who successfully complete this programme and meet the conditions specified may apply for MCIPS, the globally recognised standard for procurement and supply management professionals.
Core modules
MSc
You gain the knowledge and experience to work as a logistics and supply chain management professional in a range of areas. Graduates of this course can find themselves working for companies such as
• Caterpillar – world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines
• Dematic – the market leader in innovative logistics automation systems
• NYK Logistics – delivers fully integrated logistics solutions tailored to the needs of their customers
• Tuffnells – leading parcel delivery company
Typical graduates roles are • logistics coordinator • supply chain analyst • solutions analyst • supply chain coordinator • demand analyst.
After five years’ experience you can typically move onto management roles in areas such as • warehouse operations • supply chain • inventory • logistics planning.
Engineering is constantly changing, and graduates often need to deepen their technical skills and understanding.
This course is especially relevant for mechanical and manufacturing engineers and technicians wishing to broaden their industrial and managerial skills. It is ideal for continuing professional development and updating technical skills.
You study eight taught modules drawn from a wide choice of technical and management modules. This gives you advanced tuition in areas of engineering tailored to your career needs such as design, manufacturing, materials, networking or electronics and telecommunications.
We emphasise applying knowledge to relevant workplace skills in areas such as
The international product development module involves working in multidisciplinary teams to design and develop a product in the global market.
This flexible course helps you to develop your career based your needs, and helps you on your path towards Chartered Engineer status.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer; graduates who have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the further learning requirement for CEng accreditation.
This course is also accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council and will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng, will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration. It should be noted that graduates from an accredited MSc programme, who do not also have an appropriately accredited Honours degree, will not be regarded as having the exemplifying qualifications for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council; and will need to have their first qualification individually assessed through the Individual Case Procedure if they wish to progress to CEng.
This programme is CEng accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and fulfils the educational requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer when presented with an CEng accredited Bachelors programme.
You choose a combination of management, technical and optional modules from a choice of 36. Your choice must total eight 15-credit modules and be agreed with your course leader. At least four must be technical modules.
Optional management modules
Optional technical modules
• group project - international product development • competitive materials technology • advanced CAD/CAM • competitive design for manufacture • advanced manufacturing technology • advanced metallic materials • sustainability, energy and environmental management • computer networks • communication media • network applications • communication engineering • digital signal processing • applicable artificial intelligence • microprocessor engineering • software engineering • operating systems • object oriented methods • digital electronic system design • VLSI design • industrial applications of finite element methods • industrial automation • robotics • machine vision • equipment engineering and design • control of linear systems • advanced investigatory techniques for materials engineers • advanced control methods • advanced vibration and acoustics
MSc
By final examination, coursework and project reports
Graduates in technical subjects can broaden their experience in mechanical manufacturing, electronics and information technology, networking, materials and management areas.
The flexible choice of modules allows you to tailor the course to your particular needs and this can enhance career prospects in the engineering industry, research, teaching and public service.
Developed in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, the four pathways of our MSc in Pharmaceutical Industrial Advanced Training (PIAT) are postgraduate-level training programmes designed for scientists and managers working in the pharmaceutical industry and NHS in the fields of product development, manufacturing and quality assurance.
Many of our units have been developed to support those seeking to build their QP portfolio and our team includes QPs who are willing to support your development through this pathway.
You can also take individual units as standalone CPD courses. Please contact us for further details of the units that can be taken.
We offer a three-day summer school each year to allow you to meet fellow students and your tutors while attending workshops to support your learning and development in the units.
For our Business Development and Licensing pathway, we offer a two-day winter school held in London that covers the units within this key course for business development executives.
Below are some links that may be useful if you're thinking about studying PIAT.
Example dissertation titles
Below are examples of previous dissertations undertaken on the PIAT course.
All units commence in April and October. You can see a list of units in the table below, or view units specific to each of the four pathways:
Our alumni have used the learning and opportunities gained from this course to advance their careers in a range of roles and areas.
Some have moved to management positions, while others have taken on roles with more responsibility, becoming team leaders, heads of projects or responsible for new and larger areas, regions or territories.
As part of the course, our students build networks of contacts and join a growing community of leaders within the industry.
Engineering management is critical in the delivery of technical products and services.
This course combines process performance with strategic business analysis to deliver an in-depth understanding of operational issues in relation to engineering industries.
The course is aimed at graduates wishing to broaden their expertise from a technological undergraduate degree, or who want to work within the engineering industry in a management capacity.
The programme is based within the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management, the only department in the UK combining end-to-end expertise from creative design, through engineering design, manufacture and management of the entire system.
The course focuses on the use and application of techniques that enable production and operational effectiveness, as well as addressing wider strategic and global issues.
The course structure and content are based on the operational needs of 21st century engineering organisations, and you will be equipped with state-of-the-art concepts, methods, techniques and tools to contribute towards the competitiveness of industrial and commercial organisations worldwide.
As well as a team industry project, the scope of the course includes: continuous process improvement; quality and lean six sigma techniques; production planning; and performance measurement content. Students can also choose from optional modules and complete a Masters dissertation.
Each student will undertake an individual project assignment in which a selected topic is studies in depth.
Each individual project should involve a comprehensive critical literature review, research methodology, structured analysis of data and writing up of as a thesis.
Modules will be assessed by a mix of assignments and examinations. For the Masters project, students have the opportunity to select a project from a wide range of Process Excellence topics. Successful completion of all compulsory modules, optional modules, a group project and an individual Masters project will lead to the award of an MSc.
Production/Operations managers are responsible for planning, coordination and control of manufacturing processes in order to make sure goods and services are produced efficiently and that the correct amount is produced at the right cost and level of quality.
Early career managers are required to deal with various aspects of production such as materials management, inventory control, production control and purchasing management. With experience, careers can develop into overall factory management or strategic planning roles.
Using concepts and tools provided, you will develop the skills to analyse and implement solutions for organisational competitiveness.
Job opportunities are good – our alumni have worked for organisations such as:
