Smart Manufacturing Systems

Summary

The programme aims to equip students and upskill current engineers with expert knowledge across multi-disciplines in both the underlying science and application of manufacturing and mechanical engineering with the computing topics of intelligent data analytics and robotics. In addition, the programme develops knowledge and skills to understand the nature of the global business environment and global business operations.



About

The PgCert in Smart Manufacturing Systems is a collaboration between the school of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, and the Department of Global Business and Enterprise in the Ulster Business School; both are based at the Magee campus. The overall aim of the PgCert course is to provide postgraduate education and training in the concepts and methods within the area of manufacturing and mechanical engineering with the application of industrial robotics, data analytics and machine learning to meet the needs of manufacturing in Industry 4.0. The PgCert Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) programme has the core aim of training engineering and computer science professionals to upskill in applying smart techniques across the manufacturing environment. Such skilled engineers and scientists with applied knowledge of smart manufacturing are needed to support the manufacturing industry, where the need for "Smarter" factories is becoming a requirement to remain competitive.



Work placement / study abroad

There is no work-based learning or supervised work experience/placement within the PgCert programme.

Full-Time/Part-Time Programme

Year One

The Global Business in Context

Business Intelligence and Analytics

Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics

Applicants must:

(a) have gained

(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the

Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of

another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or

an approved alternative qualification; and

the qualification must be in the subject areas of Mechanical Engineering,

Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline;

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or

equivalent)



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

Beginning in September, the certificate will normally be completed in two semesters across a single academic year. Each lecture will be hosted at the Magee campus.



Students are expected to attend all classes associated with the programme and be punctual and regular in attendance.



A student who has not been in attendance for more than three days through illness or other cause must notify immediately the Course Director. The student shall state the reasons for the absence and whether it is likely to be prolonged. Where the absence is for a period of more than five working days, and is caused by illness which may affect their studies, the student shall provide appropriate medical certification in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.



Students who are absent without good cause for a substantial proportion of classes may be required to discontinue studies, in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career options

Smart Manufacturing is a rapidly developing field of study within both academia and industry. The PgCert Smart Manufacturing Systems aims to prepare students for a successful career as a modern manufacturing engineer where Industry 4.0 machine-to-machine (M2M) communication (products talk to machines) is producing large amounts of collected data, where analytics now plays a key role in understanding and modelling process improvements, alongside competitive demands within a global business context. Hence, there is a need for skills in industrial robotics, intelligent automation, factory modelling and simulation, zero defect manufacturing with data analytics, and commercial awareness. These types of skills are typically in high demand in manufacturing industries from plastics, semiconductor to construction, as the sectors moves to Industry 4.0.



This programme of study is firmly based under the STEM umbrella and additionally due to the nature of the skills and knowledge developed during the programme, resulting graduates will have the potential to be employed across a spectrum of industries which will address the skills shortage in smart manufacturing capabilities.



Successful students from this course would be eligible to the MSc version of the Smart Manufacturing Systems course. There is currently an extensive demand for engineering graduates, particularly those with the high-level skills to develop and operate smart factories, which will be provided by this course.