Entry year
2024/25
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2
2.2
Duration
2 years (Part-time)
2 years (Part-time)
Places available
30 (Part Time)
30 (Part Time)
This course has been developed in close partnership with employers, focused on development skills that employers specifically demand.
WHY MIGHT YOU WANT TO DO THIS COURSE?
The programme is designed to meet the needs of the growing and diverse engineering sector. It aims to attract students who have completed a Level 6 degree in engineering or a related discipline, and who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in mechanical engineering and management. The programme also caters to students who have relevant work experience in the engineering sector, and who seek to gain a formal qualification that recognises their prior learning and achievements.
COURSE CONTENT
The programme aims to produce apprentices with competency and skills that include the latest advances in engineering disciplines of energy and power, manufacture and design. In addition to covering the latest engineering technology, you will be equipped with the creative, commercial, business and management skills that are necessary to be an innovator, entrepreneur and industry leader.
PLEASE NOTE:
This HLA is a work / study programme so you will already be in employment, or have a firm offer of employment from a company in the sector that supports your application.
This HLA is fully funded by the DfE. Places are limited. Applicants and their employers must demonstrate commitment, and ensure enough time is allocated, to attend and complete the course.
Mechanical Engineering with Management Higher Level Apprenticeship highlights
World Class Facilities
The School has a range of unique laboratory facilities for turbomachinery, engine catalysis, industrial-scale materials processing, large-scale structural and materials testing, thermal and chemical analysis, microscopy and x-ray imaging. State-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, which have received investments totalling £19m in recent years.
State-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, which have received investments totalling £19m in recent years.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Queen’s is ranked 24th in the UK for Engineering with 96% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. (REF 2021/ Times Higher Education)
Industry Links
We have strong connections with local, UK, and international companies, in industries including aerospace, turbomachinery, automotive, consumer materials, and biomedical devices.
Our Industrial Advisory Board features representatives from
heavyweights like Caterpillar, Bombardier, Wrightbus, and BAE. They help us develop the course content – what they need from graduate engineers, we’ll teach you. External lecturers from our industrial partners come in to actively contribute to the course.
Student Experience
Students study within a vibrant international mix of students and staff from the UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Our teaching environment focuses on your individual career and development needs, building your skills, enhancing your personal experience of the course and thinking of your career path, rather than just teaching you theory.
Professional Accreditations
The MSc is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
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Course content
Course Structure
This degree is designed to provide apprentices with a sound foundation for a professional career in engineering and management. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory.
Students enrol on a part-time (2 years) basis only. This typically involves attending the University to study one or two modules during the Autumn and Spring semesters in both years, and then completing a dissertation/project with their company during the Summer semester in the second year.
The MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete the six taught modules (120 CATS points) and the dissertation/project (60 CATS points ).
Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.
Course Details
This HLA degree consists of 120 CATS of modules from the list below, plus a dissertation/project (60 CATS). There are no optional modules.
Indicative Number of Modules per Semester
Autumn and Spring Semesters – both years: 6 modules, totalling 60 CATS per year.
Summer Semester – 2nd year: Project module and dissertation, 60 CATS.
Modules
Computer-Aided Engineering (20 CATS)
Manufacturing Technology (20 CATS)
Sustainable Energy Systems (20 CATS)
Engineering Systems and Management (20 CATS)
Business Management and Enterprise (20 CATS)
Research and Data Analytics (20 CATS)
Project and Dissertation (60 CATS)
People teaching you
Senior LecturerSMAE
SMAE
SMAE
SMAE
Teaching Times
Contact teaching time is typically scheduled on-campus throughout the working week (mornings, afternoons or evenings, Monday through Friday).Learning and Teaching
Each year the apprentices will attend scheduled classes during the Autumn and Spring semesters. Each of these semesters involves 12 weeks of classes. The scheduled classes involve 1-day per week, 2-days per week or 1 day and 2 evenings per week, depending on the semester.
Additional Teaching Information:
The taught module content will be supplemented by guest seminars from industrial experts in the fields of mechanical engineering and business management. These modules are assessed through a combination of practical sessions, independent coursework, and small group projects. A major individual project focuses on applying these taught skills to a relevant real-world industrial problem. A dissertation is required for this individual project. The project will be taken at the company in the Summer semester at the end of the second year.
Project and dissertation work involves regular meetings with an academic advisor, with the remaining time devoted to project management, practical, design or computer work, and preparation for written and oral reporting.
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Assessment
The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Assessments associated with the programme are outlined below:
- Individual and group coursework
- Continuous assessment
- Project/Dissertation thesis
- Interview
- Class Tests
- Oral presentation
Modules
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
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Course content
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Entry requirements
Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a suitable engineering discipline, including substantial Mathematics and engineering content at 2.2 Honours level or equivalent standard, acceptable to the School.
Applicants holding a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a suitable engineering discipline with performance in key modules below 2.2 Honours standard may be considered on an individual basis. Such applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum of two years professional experience.
A 2.1 Honours degree in Mathematics or Physics or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University will be considered. Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Students wishing to apply for this Higher-Level Apprenticeship should also upload their CV and a letter of support from their employer (combined in one file). The employer’s letter of support must state that the employer supports their application, that they are prepared to release them from work for one or two days per week to attend the course, and that, if they are an existing employee, they need this qualification for a new role. The new role can be a change of title/role within the company.
This Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) is fully funded by the DfE therefore it is not open to international applicants. Further information on eligibility criteria for Higher Level Apprenticeships can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/higher-level-apprenticeships.
Please note this course is subject to renewal of funding by the Department for the Economy and applicants must be working for a company with a base in Northern Ireland.
The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2024. However, we encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
- Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
- Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
Career Prospects
Introduction
This Masters degree programme offers a range of modules that can be combined to suit particular career aspirations, and graduates will have the skills and knowledge required to pursue careers in mechanical engineering, technical management, research and other related fields.
The complementary business and management skills developed through the programme are highly sought after by employers keen to recruit engineering graduates with a solid appreciation of the broader commercial industrial environment. Professionally relevant transferrable skills, such as oral and written communication, problem-solving, data analysis, self-direction, and teamwork are also developed throughout the course.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Future Ready bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
The University is ranked joint 8th in the UK for career prospects in Mechanical Engineering (Times Good University Guide)
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
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Entry Requirements
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £0 |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £0 |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £0 |
| EU Other 3 | N/A |
| International | N/A |
No tuition fees are payable by students for the degree apprenticeship as it is funded by the Department for the Economy’s Higher Level Apprenticeship programme. Please refer to https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/higher-level-apprenticeships for further information.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Additional course costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.
International Scholarships
Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
When to Apply
The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.
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Fees and Funding