Lean and Agile Manufacturing - MSc

With the need for manufacturing organisations to remain highly competitive lean and agile manufacturing strategies play a pivotal role in ensuring organisations manage the extended enterprises in which they operate to maximum effectiveness and efficiency. This course aims to develop and equip individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds with the necessary skills to perform as a competent manager in a production and -manufacturing organisation.

Course Overview

This programme reflects the current industrial demand for expertise in lean and agile manufacturing techniques. This programme involves activities that play a key role in managing the extended enterprise. This programme involves activities that focus on designing products and processes for manufacturing, while managing risk at the design stage of product development and process planning.

The discipline embraces areas such as supply chain management and logistics which are key to competing in global markets and providing world class service. The programme aims to provide students with the knowledge of key procedures in international trade and how organisations can reduce their environmental impact throughout the supply chain and manufacturing operations. Key areas of quality and purchasing form an integral part of the course where a range of tools and techniques are developed that can be used to improve performance and competitive advantage.

Modules

Part 1
-Lean and Agile Manufacturing
-Logistics and Supply Chain Management
-Quality Engineering
-Advanced CAD/CAM
-Design for Manufacture
-Purchasing and Inventory Management
-Leadership, Product Development and Innovation
-Research Methods

Part 2
-Major Project

Key Features

The School of Logistics and Manufacturing Engineering prides itself on providing a supportive and friendly learning environment enhanced by the excellent industrial experience of the programme team, many of whom have many years experience in industry at a senior level. This knowledge and experience has enabled all of our graduates to further their careers which they have attributed to a caring and dedicated programme team that can relate to the issues in the workplace.

Class sizes are generally around 25 students which creates an environment where students can foster ideas and discuss issues that they have in common with their fellow students. Our extensive engagement with employers and professional institutions means we are able to enhance our graduate’s employment and career prospects. Many of our students have received promotions while undertaking their studies and every graduate has gone on to further their careers. Our vision for students, is to create an environment that will enable them to achieve their goals and enhance their careers and earning potential.

Assessment

Assessment used within this programme is usually formative or summative. Assessments are designed to develop students’ ability to practice a wide range of tools and techniques and to see the strategic implications of decisions and problems. These typically take the form of case studies, research and critical evaluation exercises and practical work based reports to resolve problems, develop a purchasing or quality strategy, for example. In some modules students are required to present their research/findings to their lecturer’s and peers followed by a question and answer session. Such assessment strategies are utilised by the course team to generate student driven work.

Career Opportunities

This programme provides graduates with a wide range of professional skills and competencies that are transferable within business sectors and from sector to sector. Oral and written skills are developed enabling individuals to grow in confidence through the programme of study.

Typical career opportunities are shift manager, production supervisor, engineering manager, quality manager, planning and scheduling manager, operations manager/director. All of our graduates who have studied part-time have received promotion while studying or after completing their studies, which they have attributed to their qualification. Younger graduates have found that their employment prospects where enhanced and they were able to gain employment as a line engineer, quality engineer and supply chain specialist. A number of major companies have now recognised this course as a key requisite in order to gain promotion or hold a particular role.