Masters Degrees (Railway)

The PG Diploma in Railways Studies is designed to give students an alternative perspective on railway history, and the course will provide a better understanding of how academics have investigated the social, cultural, political, business, economic, and technological aspects of British railway history between 1825 and 2002. Those successfully completing the diploma are expected to come away from it thinking about railway history differently from when they started the course, and the programme overall will act as a bridge from an ‘amateur’ interest in railways to becoming part of the ongoing academic discourse.

The programme starts in late September/early October each academic year – places are limited to ensure a constructive atmosphere for discussions.

This is a part-time, postgraduate-level programme delivered wholly online in a fully-supported learning environment. Students can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate after successful completion of the first year if their circumstances change.

Overview

-To provide students with knowledge of the academic debates regarding different aspects of British railway history between 1825 and 1920s
-To give students knowledge of how the building and development of Britain’s railways in the Victorian period changed the nation socially, economically and politically
-To provide the students with an understanding of how and when railways’ operational and managerial systems were developed, refined and advanced before 1914
-To provide students with knowledge of how labour relations changed within the British railway industry before 1926, and how the railway unions developed
-To provide students with an understanding of the potential causes of the declining profitability of British railway industry after 1870
-To demonstrate the complexity and diversity of events in the past, and the range of problems involved in the interpretation of complex, ambiguous, conflicting and often incomplete material • To equip students with the analytical tools to effectively interrogate the worth of primary and secondary source material pertaining to the history of the British railway industry
-To encourage students to develop their own views on different historical debates in the academic literature and to think creatively about the topics they are studying
-To provide a supportive and stimulating postgraduate environment enabling students to work independently within a clearly defined structure of regular discussion and supervision
-To provide students with knowledge of the academic debates regarding different aspects of British railway history between 1920s and 2002
-To give students with an understanding of the debates in government and in public surrounding what the social and economic role of British railways should be
-To provide students with an understanding of how government changed the structure of the British railway industry after the First World War
-To impress on the students the importance of studying emotive or controversial historical events in an objective manner.

Structure

This part-time two-year programme will comprise six 20-credit modules:
Year One
-The Coming of the Railways to Britain, 1825-1900
-The Declining Profitability of the Railway Industry, 1870-1914
-British Railway Workers, 1825-1926

Year Two
-The Role of the Railways: Railways and Government,1888-1939
-The Railways and Society: The Railways After the Second World War, 1945-1968
-Privatising British Rail, 1987-2002

Students will be required to complete all these modules in the first instance, though additional modules may be added in the future to accommodate future programme growth and offer a broader learning experience.

Assessments will comprise a balance of short and long critical essays, book reviews, short research projects and other similar tasks.

Online Study

Our approach to e-learning is distinctive and may be different from your general perceptions about online study:
-Flexible, fully supported, modular delivery
-Taught exclusively online
-Two stages: Certificate and Diploma. Each stage typically takes 12 months
-Comprises six distinct modules
-Part-time study (approximately 15 hours per week) allows participants to structure their learning around the other life circumstances

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Railway businesses rely on advanced technical and operational systems to carry vast numbers of passengers in densely populated areas and large quantities of goods over long distances. The Master of Research (MRes) programme in Railway Systems Integration prepares postgraduates for careers in research and development (R&D) in railway businesses and companies supplying railways with advanced technical and operational systems. The programme can also serve as a stepping stone to doctoral studies by developing candidates’ analytical skills and research know-how.

The MRes offers a unique opportunity for students to undertake a research-based Masters degree together with technical study in a relevant railway systems or engineering subject. Students benefit from participating in both the fundamental and applied research carried out within the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, and from the world-leading educational programmes offered by the Centre. The programme comprises 3 classroom taught technology oriented modules and a research skills module that consists of three main elements, namely, reviewing literature, analysing data and modelling the behaviour of technical systems. Two thirds of the period of study are devoted to independent research that is documented in a substantial thesis. Part-time students follow the same syllabus as full-time students but complete the taught modules and the thesis in a sequence that best suits their work commitments.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgfunding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgopendays

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Railway risk and safety management, are both vitally important worldwide, for not only the ongoing operation of existing railways but also for the design and the development of new systems. Much work is being done by companies involved in both mainline and urban transportation systems to improve safety, for the public, their passengers and their workforce. In the last two years alone there have been around 60 railway crashes and incidents reported worldwide. The prevention of the associated loss of life and livelihood are high priorities for all organisations involved.

This programme in Railway Risk and Safety Management (RRSM) is the first of its kind in the UK and is jointly delivered by the Universities of Birmingham and York. You will benefit from the expertise of two leading UK universities and spend around half of your time with the Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education (BCRRE) and half at the High Integrity Systems Engineering Group (HISE) in York.

The programme will give you a deep and robust understanding of the approaches to managing safety and risk in transport systems and related projects. The York modules are highly structured around the general topics of risk and safety management, while the Birmingham portion of the programme focuses on railway systems and the application of risk management principles in this sector. Although different transport sectors and modes have their own specific features, this course will give you a thorough education of knowledge which can take you into many areas of engineering and business management.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgfunding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgopendays

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Railway businesses rely on advanced technical and operational systems to carry vast numbers of passengers in densely populated areas and large quantities of goods over long distances, economically, safely and in a timely manner. The taught postgraduate programme in Railway Systems Engineering and Integration has a strong focus on developing postgraduates’ railway engineering knowledge and know-how, their systems integration skills and their understanding of the complex interactions between subsystems. It develops participants’ ability to work in multi-disciplinary project teams and is strongly supported by railway practitioners.

Graduates of the programme design, build, operate and manage successfully the sophisticated subsystems and complex interfaces characterising existing and new railways. The full-time programme comprises 8 classroom taught modules and 2 research-oriented modules, scheduled over a period of 8 months. Part-time students follow the same syllabus as full-time students but complete the taught modules in a sequence that best suits their work-commitments. The MSc strand requires the submission of a dissertation that is based on a significant amount of independent research.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgfunding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgopendays

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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This course has two distinct streams; Sustainable Highways and Sustainable Railways.

Highway engineering is concerned with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of highways, including vehicular, cycle and pedestrian highways and with their effective management. All this must be achieved as sustainably as possible.

Railway engineering is concerned with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of railways, extending to rapid transit (tram) systems, and with their effective management. All this must be achieved as sustainably as possible.

Both of the streams within this MSc programme take a radical, hands-on approach by linking traditional teaching intimately to near-real life highway and railway engineering problems. It provides the technical knowledge and skills to develop the analytical, decision-making and critical powers required to solve, in a sustainable way, genuine, practical highway and railway engineering problems. It will help you to develop transferable skills which could lead to a successful career in highway or railway engineering.

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This is a broad based civil engineering course covering the areas of structures, geotechnics, water engineering and water transportation.

The technical modules of the course aim to develop the understanding and application of advanced theoretical contents of the specialist subject.

Structural topics are taught in the two modules of Finite Elements and Stress Analysis, and Advanced Structural Design. The interaction of geotechnics and structures is covered in the Soil-Structure Engineering module. The Water Resources Systems Management module looks into the water engineering aspects. The transportation field is studied in the Highway and Railway Engineering and Operations module. The final module, Asset Management and Project Appraisal of Infrastructures examines the methods, merits and economics of repairs of existing structures.

You'll be required to complete an individual project into a specific area of the programme studied, providing you with the opportunity of pursuing a programme of independent study. The work is to be of an investigative nature having an experimental, analytical, computer-based or fieldwork input.

If you'd like any further information, please contact the course administrator, Ms. Jo Hillman: [email protected] or call 020 7815 7106.

- Accreditation:
Joint Board of Moderators (ICE, IStructE, IHE, CIHT)

See the website http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/courses/course-finder/civil-engineering-msc

Modules

Teaching techniques include lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratories, field trips and IT based blended learning. Visiting lecturers from industry contribute in some modules.

- Advanced structural design
The module will use the European codes for safe and effective design of normal structural elements and structural systems. It will cover engineering principles and analytical techniques and using software.

- Soil-structure engineering
This module will acquaint the students with classical and modern methods for the analysis and design of structures which are embedded in the ground, specifically embedded retaining walls, piled foundations and tunnels.

- Finite elements and stress analysis
The module will equip the student with linear elastic analysis of thin-walled sections, 2D and 3D stress analysis and transformations. It will introduce the Finite Element method theory and use ANSYS software.

- Highway engineering and operation
The module covers the system characteristics and operations for highways before considering geometric alignment and construction of highways.

- Railway engineering and operation
This module will underpin understanding of railway system characteristics and operations, and provide skills in geometric design for railways.

- Water engineering
This module covers the concepts and theories of groundwater hydrology, the principles of groundwater flow, well hydraulics analysis and design, contaminants transport in the aquifer, and remediation technology of contaminated groundwater. There is an introduction to aspects of 3-dimensional groundwater flows using USGS MODFLOW and FEFLOW with practical.

- Project
This module is one third of the course and is an individually supervised piece of work that is typically either a research project or an innovative design exercise. The theme is related to topics covered on the course.

Employability

Employment prospects for graduates of these courses are very good, especially in view of the upturn in new infrastructure projects in the UK and overseas. Successful students enter into a variety of positions within the construction industry, ranging from working in a design office, with contractors and in local authorities.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

- direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
- Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
- mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

Professional links

This degree is an accredited MSc (Technical) course by the Joint Board of Moderators as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

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The Mechanical and Systems Engineering MPhil allows you to deepen your theoretical understanding of your chosen topic but also improve your technical skills and analytical capabilities. Research degrees are offered through four research groups: Bioengineering, MEMS and Sensors, Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems, and Design, Manufacture and Materials.

The School of Mechanical Engineering is one of the top 10 Mechanical Engineering research schools in the UK (RAE 2008). As a postgraduate researcher you will be welcomed as a junior academic colleague rather than a student. In this role we ask you to play a full and professional role in contributing to the School’s objective of international academic excellence.

The School, the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, and your supervisory team will support you to develop your research capabilities. We will help you progress with your higher degree and attain a unique skill set, through international conference attendance and research paper submissions.

Research in the School falls into four main fields. You can find more detailed information regarding each research group and suggested PhD projects on the School website:
-Bioengineering - group leader Professor Thomas Joyce
-MEMS and Sensors - group leader Professor Peter Cumpson
-Design, Manufacture and Materials – group leader Professor Kenneth Dalgarno
-Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems – group leader Professor Nilanjan Chakraborty

NewRail

NewRail is our centre for railway research at Newcastle and is part of the design, manufacture and materials research group. Through this centre you have the opportunity to research the organisation, management and economics of train movement. The subject looks at innovative concepts for sustainable rail transport with a particular focus on system services, production patterns and rail system designs.

Your scientific work will contribute to the modernisation of the rail sector as a whole, integrating knowledge from a variety of disciplines such as systems engineering, economics and marketing. You will have the opportunity to work with railway experts from local and international rail-focused organisations, such as Network Rail, Railfuture, Tyne and Wear Metro, Port of Tyne and the Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership. Our research areas include
-Demand patterns and models
-Supply patterns and models
-Grants and contracts
-Service execution
-Customer satisfaction
-Business generation

Delivery

Our research programmes are based in the Stephenson Building on the central Newcastle campus.

Attendance is flexible and depends on the requirements of the research project and is subject to our School Safety policy. You are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (this includes statutory and bank holidays)

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The Sustainable Transport Engineering MSc is a mainstream mechanical engineering course with a focus on vehicles and drive systems, and energy sources and management. For anyone wishing to specialise in railways, the course also has a rail option.

This course is intended for honours graduates (or an international equivalent) in mechanical or mechanical-related engineering (eg automotive, aeronautical or design), maths, physics or a related discipline.

Course structure

All Sustainable Transport Engineering MSc students will undertake taught modules in the following core subjects:
-Mechanical power transmission
-Vehicle drives and dynamics
-Human-systems integration
-Energy sources and storage
-Sustainable energy management

You then have the option to take further general engineering modules or rail transport modules. See the module page for more information.

Alongside students undertaking other mechanical engineering MSc courses, you will also be introduced to engineering software and computational methods, ie Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

Your research project is chosen from an extensive range of subjects. Project work can range from fundamental studies in areas of basic engineering science, to practical design-make-test investigations.

If you are specialising in the rail option, you will undertake a railway-themed research project. Newcastle University is actively involved in a wide range of railway research projects.

Some research may be undertaken in collaboration with industry.

There is an established programme of research seminars. These are delivered by guest speakers from academia and industry (both national and international), providing excellent insights into a wide variety of engineering research.

Delivery

The taught component of the course makes use of a combination of lectures, tutorials/labs and seminars. Assessment is by written examination and submitted in-course assignments.

The research project (worth 60 credits) is undertaken throughout the duration of the Master's level course. Project work is assessed by dissertation and oral/poster presentations. You will be allocated, and meet regularly with, project supervisors.

Effective communication is an important skill for the modern professional engineer, and this course includes sessions to help develop your ability, both through formal guidance sessions dedicated to good practice in report writing, and through oral/poster presentations of project work.

Accreditation

The courses have been accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Facilities

The School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering is based in the Stephenson Building. It has both general and specialist laboratories and workshop facilities. These are used for training, course delivery and the manufacture of materials/components needed to support project work.

The Stephenson Building houses one of the largest networked computer clusters on campus (120+ PCs), which supports all of the specialist software introduced and used within the course (eg CAD, stress analysis, fluid dynamics, signal processing packages) in addition to the School’s own cluster (60+ PCs) used for instrumentation and data acquisition laboratories.

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The MA in Post-war Recovery Studies brings together experienced humanitarian professionals and less experienced students, thus creating opportunities for students to share wisdom while being challenged by more theoretically-minded, technologically savvy and idealistic coursemates.

Why York?

Our students choose to study with the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit at the University of York for many reasons. Here at the PRDU, we're proud of our location. The University is situated within acres of beautiful parkland, and is only a short walk away from the centre of the historic city of York. Whether it's hustle of the city, or the calmness of campus that you are searching for, it can all be found at the University of York. Here are some of the reasons why our students chose us:
-York is consistently among the top UK universities for the quality of its teaching and research.
-York ranked 1st in the UK and 7th in the world in the Times Higher Education World Rankings of Universities less than 50 years old.
-The PRDU is an internationally recognised teaching and research faculty, with links to other universities and organisations worldwide.
-Eligible students from outside the EU are guaranteed accomodation on or near campus.
-York is easily accessible by air, rail, and road. The city is well connected by major UK railway lines, meaning a travel time of only two hours to London, and two hours fifteen minutes to Edinburgh.
-The cost of living in York is considerably lower than other cities in the UK.

The PRDU offers students the unique chance to study within a research department that is a leader in its field, alongside internationally acclaimed academics and lecturers. The PRDU, like the city of York, is expansive and wide reaching, yet remains personable and friendly despite its cosmopolitan activities.

Teaching

Classes are taught by world renowned academics, policy makers & practitioners. There are five separate class-taught modules, and students are supported throughout the year by the academic staff at the PRDU.

Field Trip

Every year students of the MA in Post-war Recovery Studies undertake a field trip to a post-war region. Led by field-experienced faculty and staff, students gain first hand, ground-level, understandings of recovery and reconstruction in the aftermath of war.

Work Placement

All students undertake a 6-8 week work placement. They are based within an international or national organisation working on an aspect of post-war recovery, humanitarian action or development in a war-affected context.

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Do you want to be able to help design the next generation of renewable energy systems, clean cars and aircraft? Do you want to be able to invent the electrical systems for future factories and robots?

The Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) is a 1 year degree course that provides its students with the knowledge to design, construct and analyse integrated networks of power electronic converters, electrical machines, actuators, energy storage devices, and control systems. As a result of recent technical advances, PEMD technology is becoming commonplace and can be found for example in more-electric aircraft and ships, electric vehicles, railway systems, renewable power generation, active management of power distribution systems, automation systems for factories and industrial processes. The adoption of PEMD technology is being driven by the need to increase energy efficiency, and controllability, whilst reducing system weight and maintenance costs.

This MSc course has been designed to equip electrical engineers with the knowledge and skills that are required to design modern PEMD systems, it includes the fundamentals of electrical machine and power electronics design, system integration, control, energy management and protection. The teaching team of eight academic staff belong to the Power Conversion Group and are all actively involved in researching new aspects of machines, drives, power electronics and electrical systems, particularly for applications in transport and sustainable electricity supply. The Group's research activities and industrial links inform the course content and enrich the student experience.

Aims

-To enable you to gain experience in the design and analysis of systems in electrical engineering, for example renewable energy, more-electric aircraft, vehicles, and next-generation electric power transmission
-To enable you to critically evaluate electrical machine and converter technology applied in manufacturing, power systems and transport industries
-To employ recent developments in these research areas and to prepare students who wish to continue on to research studies
-To develop your ability to integrate strands of machines, power electronics, drives and their control

The MSc course begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of converters, machines, actuators and relevant control systems. The course will give you a high level of exposure to system integration and is illustrated by a broad range of high-technology activities related to industrial and other systems.

The next five course units give specialist tuition on advanced topics including machine design, systems analysis, converter circuits and applications. In addition to lectures, tutorials, design exercises and enquiry-based learning, you will attend industrial seminars and practical laboratories which employ mainly industrial equipment. The course will include a `mechatronic' emphasis in examining how system blocks interact and ensuring that electrical and mechanical systems work together.

The summer is spent on this individual dissertation project, which is strongly supported by the Power Conversion Research Group's research base (including the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre) and extensive industrial contacts. Cutting-edge research areas include versatile power and conversion systems for a variety of applications, including more-electric aircraft and ships, electric and hybrid vehicles, automation systems and autonomous/micro-grid power systems.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the course will have acquired in-depth education in modern design, broad exposure to the expanding range of applications, hands-on experience and integration into state-of-the-art systems. These comprise the special knowledge and skills needed for a professional career in energy conversion systems, an area in which engineers are in demand for key power electronic/drives/automation industries.

Industry's competitive edge relies on high-technology drives and in the integration of systems to provide superior overall performance. Applications include the `more electric aircraft', electric transport and high-reliability systems.

Our students have been employed by companies such as:
-ABB
-BAE Systems
-Cummings Turbo Technologies
-GE Energy
-National Instruments
-Rolls-Royce
-Siemens

Opportunities also exist for further study to doctoral level (PhD) in the Power Conversion Group's recently re-equipped and expanding research laboratories.

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Summary

Now running for over twenty five years, the MA in Children’s Literature is recognised internationally as a benchmark programme in the field and is delivered by the award-winning National Centre of Research in Children’s Literature.

On this acclaimed MA/PG Dip in Children’s Literature you will explore landmark books such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or The Railway Children, alongside the contemporary innovations of Patrick Ness or Emily Gravett.

You will work alongside staff with international reputations in areas such as adolescence, critical theory, landscape, and philosophy. Plus, many of you will have the chance of working with Roehampton's Chancellor and renowned author Professor Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

As a Children’s Literature student you will become a member of the National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature (NCRCL), regarded as the premier institution for children’s literature research in Britain. NCRCL has close links with organisations that work to further the study and teaching of children's literature, including The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), Seven Stories (The National Centre for Children’s Books) and Booktrust. The centre also hosts and co-organises an annual one-day British IBBY/NCRCL MA Conference and runs a biennial NCRCL Conference, showcasing themes from members' research interests. Keynote speakers have included Michael Rosen, Matthew Grenby, Emer O’Sullivan, Neil Gaiman, and Julia Eccleshare.

The University is the exclusive Creative Partner of Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, London’s largest event dedicated to children’s writing. The partnership provides paid and voluntary work experience opportunities for students at the festival, as well as opportunities to attend events for free.

Roehampton also hosts a number of Children’s' Literature collections in our library containing 3,000 critical, theoretical, bibliographical and reference works and approximately 40 specialist children's literature journals. We are also home to the Richmal Crompton Collection. This includes her personal library, editions and translations of her famous Just William stories and scripts including short stories and radio plays.

Content

This stimulating programme allows for the exploration of a range of literary texts from medieval learning materials, through landmark books such as Treasure Island, The Tale of Peter Rabbit or The Eagle of the Ninth, to the contemporary innovations of Mark Haddon, Shaun Tan or Jackie Kay.

Although this is a literature programme, study is not limited to children’s books. You will also examine the relationship (both historical and ongoing) between children’s books and social constructions of childhood.

The creative writing modules, which currently include ‘Writing for a Child Audience’ and ‘Creative Dissertation’, represent exciting additions to the programme, recognising the fact that many of our students have ambitions to write for children.

MA students will complete the course by undertaking either a dissertation or creative dissertation. The dissertation is a supervised research project involving an in-depth study of an aspect of children’s literature that interests you. For the creative dissertation, you will produce a creative portfolio that could include short stories, picturebook scripts, poems, or a novella, alongside a critical reflections of your work.

Children's literature can also be studied by distance learning.

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Mechanical engineering is the basis of just about anything that has movable parts, which includes areas like transport (automotive, railway, aerospace), renewable energy, and manufacturing. These areas will continue to be important to the UK economy and to all developed economies.

The taught part of this course consists of six compulsory modules. An individual industrial project allows you to extend your knowledge by exploring an area that interests you, whilst giving experience of the way in which a complete product or process requirement would be addressed.

The PgDip covers a selection of taught modules, with no individual project. Students may progress to an MSc given good results.

Modules
• Intelligent System Control
• Mechanics and Actuators
• Advanced CAD/CAM
• Design and Modelling of Systems
• Renewable Energy
• Linking Group Project
• Individual Project

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If you’re an experienced property or construction professional, this course is an achievable way to gain a doctorate in a subject related to your expertise. A professional doctorate has equivalent status to a PhD, but it carries more weight for professionals, like you, who work in industry. During your time with us, you’ll be introduced to a step-by-step methodology which you can follow to achieve your doctorate. Your studies will take the form of distance learning supplemented by occasional workshop sessions. Consequently, the course is suitable whether you are based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or continental Europe.

Candidates who successfully complete this programme will receive one of the following final awards (according to the subject of their thesis):

• Doctor of the Built Environment (abbreviated to DBEnv)
• Doctor of Real Estate (abbreviated to DRealEst)
• Doctor of Construction Management (abbreviated to DConsMgt)

Key benefits:

• Keep up with your professional commitments while following an achievable path to a doctorate
• Study part-time via distance learning with others from similar professional backgrounds
• Reduce your study time by drawing on existing sources of expertise

Visit the website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/pgt-courses/professional-doctorate-built-environment

Suitable for

Experienced property and construction professionals with a demonstrable aptitude for academic study, and a desire to influence professional practice through research.

Programme details

Professional doctorates are as rigorous as traditional doctorates (for example PhDs), but cater specifically for professional practitioners with many years’ experience in their field. You will be provided with the tools for making maximum use of your existing professional knowledge in an academic context, and with the key academic skills that are required for success at doctoral level.

Format

This course is based on a distance learning model that is designed to be accessible to built-environment professionals based across Europe. To make expert guidance available when you need it, the course features a combination of e-learning support and research supervision. Distance-learning is supplemented by occasional all-day workshops held at a central-Manchester venue. This venue is easily accessible from Manchester International Airport and Manchester Piccadilly railway station.

Module titles

• Academic and Professional Knowledge in the Built Environment
• Knowledge Development through Reflective Practice
• Practice-Based Theoretical Study
• Research Approaches and Methodologies in Built Environment Practice
• Preliminary Practice-Based Investigation

Assessment

• Each of the first four credit-bearing modules are assessed by a 5,000 word written assignment
• The fifth credit-bearing module is assessed by a 15,000 to 20,000 word dissertation
• All of the above submissions can subsequently be incorporated into the final thesis
• The doctorate is awarded on the basis of a 70,000 to 90,000 word thesis

Career potential

There’s significant evidence to show that a professional doctorate will contribute to your personal development and professional confidence, and boost your career prospects and job satisfaction. Additionally, the course will lead to valuable networking opportunities across the property and construction sector

How to apply: http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying

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There is a wide range of opportunity in the Civil Engineering profession for geotechnical specialists, particularly those who combine geotechnical knowledge with essential managerial skills aspects associated with the Construction Industry.

Modern structures, such as buildings, embankments and dams, must satisfy exacting stability and deformation criteria, and they may have to be sited on weak or compressible ground. It is the responsibility of the geotechnical engineer to plan and direct the necessary ground investigations and laboratory testing, interpret the results, and propose methods of design and construction to overcome difficulties caused by inadequate ground.

The long-term performance of the structure must be predicted, and instruments may have to be installed to check the prediction. This needs a sound knowledge of engineering geology, soil and rock mechanics, current civil engineering design, and of construction management and practice.

This MSc programme is designed to support high level training and enhance both the technical and managerial skills of recent graduates or experienced personnel who work in, or aspire to a career in, the construction or related industries. This programme is aimed at Civil Engineers and Geologists who wish to widen their professional scope or to specialise in geotechnical engineering with the addition of modern managerial skills. To summarise the detailed information above, the teaching concentrates on essential aspects of the subject:

- Physical, chemical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks; ground investigation; field and laboratory testing
- Engineering geology and site investigation
- Analysis, design and construction of foundations, retaining walls, tunnels, embankments and slopes including methods of ground reinforcement and improvement.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgfunding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgopendays

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

Read less

There is a wide range of opportunity in the Civil Engineering profession for geotechnical specialists, particularly those who combine geotechnical knowledge with essential managerial skills aspects associated with the Construction Industry.

Modern structures, such as buildings, embankments and dams, must satisfy exacting stability and deformation criteria, and they may have to be sited on weak or compressible ground. It is the responsibility of the geotechnical engineer to plan and direct the necessary ground investigations and laboratory testing, interpret the results, and propose methods of design and construction to overcome difficulties caused by inadequate ground.

The long-term performance of the structure must be predicted, and instruments may have to be installed to check the prediction. This needs a sound knowledge of engineering geology, soil and rock mechanics, current civil engineering design, and of construction management and practice.

This MSc programme is designed to support high level training and enhance both the technical and managerial skills of recent graduates or experienced personnel who work in, or aspire to a career in, the construction or related industries. This programme is aimed at Civil Engineers and Geologists who wish to widen their professional scope or to specialise in geotechnical engineering with the addition of modern managerial skills. To summarise the detailed information above, the teaching concentrates on four essential aspects of the subject:

Physical, chemical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks; ground investigation; field and laboratory testing
Engineering geology and site investigation
Analysis, design and construction of foundations, retaining walls, embankments and slopes including methods of ground reinforcement and improvement.
Managerial skills for the construction industry, including groundworks and risk management, BIM in infrastructure and infrastructure planning process.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgfunding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/pgopendays

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

Read less