Smart Manufacturing Systems

Summary

Five core technologies that are essential to raise the development of manufacturing and productivity to the levels required in the next 50 years are; Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, internet of things (IoT) and industrial digital technologies (IDTs). The vast majority of industrial and commercial organisations in N. Ireland are substantially under-prepared for the challenges presented by these advances in technology and will need significant support to develop the capability and capacity to survive, compete internationally with innovative products while extracting greatly increased efficiencies from their processes. Smart Manufacturing Systemsdraws on each of these 5 key enablers to provide a platform for development where intelligent factories become the norm with connectivity data and IDTs at the heart of the workplace.



Within Northern Ireland, there is a requirement to focus on research and teaching development of the integration of the five key technologies which are crucial for future industrialisation. This MSc has been designed to provide tutelage in each of the key areas for industrial manufacture including, but not limited to robotics, automation and internet of things technologies, CAD/CAM, process management and the application of AI/machine learning in industry and business. The course provides an opportunity for the support of transfer of skills and expertise to company staff. It will be a location for them to re-train their staff in IDTs and become enabled, competent and confident in IDTs.



About

The MSc 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 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 artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning to meet the needs of manufacturing in Industry 4.0. The programme aims to equip students 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. Therefore, the MSc Smart Manufacturing Systems seeks to provide develop the human resources to provide pathways to develop innovative products and manufacturing processes allowing existing companies to increase productivity and establish new business by remaining competitive through the use of the emerging digital and smart manufacturing technologies in their operations.



Work placement / study abroad

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

Full-Time Programme

Year 1

BUS700 - The Global Business in Context

COM735 - Business Intelligence and Analytics

COM738 - Data Science Foundations

MEC702 - Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics

MEC703 - Smart Factories

MEC704 - Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing

COM865 - Masters Project (Research)



Part-Time Programme

Year 1 (ALL compulsory):

BUS700 - The Global Business in Context

MEC702 - Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics

MEC703 - Smart Factories



Year 2 (ALL compulsory):

COM735 - Business Intelligence and Analytics

COM738 - Data Science Foundations

MEC704 - Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing



Year 2/3 (Compulsory):

COM865 - Masters Project (Research)

Applicants must:

(a) have gained:



(i) a second class honours degree or better in the subject area of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, 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 has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or



(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification and the qualification must be in the subject area 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).



In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



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 degree will normally be completed in three semesters across a single academic year. Each lecture will be hosted at the Magee campus. The project is completed in the third semester.



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 MSc 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 advanced manufacturing processes, industrial robotics, intelligent automation, factory modelling and simulation, zero defect manufacturing with data analytics, embedded sensing and M2M, 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.



Students from this course would be eligible to directly enter graduate employment or proceed to further study at PhD level. 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.