Engineers work on complex and innovative projects, driving important social and environmental change using scientific skills. An engineering team defines the scope of a project, understands the requirements, designs the equipment, and ensures that all quality standards are met. These team efforts are being directed, coordinated, and focused towards the business goals of the project by a team leader or engineering manager.
As an engineering manager, you’ll combine high-level technical, project management, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and communication skills to optimise projects and run them safely. With a master’s in engineering management – or an MSc Engineering Management – you can learn to connect the technological operations of an engineering project to its economic outcomes, thereby playing a valuable role in any business.
In this blog, let’s look at the benefits of studying engineering management, top universities for master’s in engineering management in the UK, and scholarships to help you in your studies. We’ll also help you understand the subjects you’ll be studying during your degree, and how these can help with your career prospects in the UK. Let’s dive in.
Why study engineering management in the UK?
If you’re an entry or mid-level engineer looking to advance in your career, then an MSc Engineering Management in the UK is a good option to consider as it can teach you how to lead engineering teams with a business mindset. The skills you develop during your engineering management course are transferable across all engineering industries, including mechanical, civil, aerospace, and biomedical engineering.
Studying engineering management in the UK can give you these advantages:
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Increased employability – Both the UK government and UK businesses invest heavily in the field of engineering. Students studying engineering management in the UK can benefit from being in such an innovative and technological environment by gaining access to industry experts, leading researchers, and exciting internships. These experiences help you gain exposure to the industry, effectively increasing your employability as well.
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Modern facilities – UK universities mix theory with practice to provide you with a well-rounded, in-depth education in engineering management. You can benefit from up-to-date facilities and modern learning methods to expand your knowledge and skillset in the field.
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Academic excellence – Three of the top 10 management schools and three of the top 10 engineering schools in the world are located in the UK. In this way, the country is known for excellence in both its management and engineering education streams, allowing you to benefit from excellent teaching quality and rigorous academic standards.
Studying engineering management in the UK prepares you for the demands of high-level technical roles in the engineering sector, giving you a competitive edge when applying for jobs anywhere in the world. Let’s look more closely at the structure of your engineering management course in the UK so you can understand the knowledge and skills you’ll be acquiring during it.
Engineering management course structure in the UK
An engineering management course in the UK is designed to deepen your understanding of management and business skills required for the field of engineering, to show you how external factors can affect the engineering industry you’re in, and to prepare you to handle complex business challenges. Here’s a typical structure of a one-year engineering management master’s programme in the UK:
| Core Modules | Optional Modules |
|---|---|
| Financial Decision-Making and Risk Analysis | Automation and Robotics |
| Global Engineering Strategy | Design Principles and Practice |
| Entrepreneurial Practices | Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Engineers |
| Engineering Project Management | |
| Digital Engineering Environment |
Additionally, most MSc Engineering Management programmes in the UK require you to complete a compulsory master’s dissertation, focusing on providing a solution to a practical industry problem or a research topic. UK universities also generally give you the option of doing a work placement for one or two additional semesters – they’re able to connect you with industry leaders to gain valuable work experience that can increase your employability upon graduation.
Now that we’ve understood your course modules for a master’s in engineering management in the UK, let’s take a look at your application process. The first step here is to shortlist your preferred universities, so we’ve provided a table of top UK universities to study engineering management in the next section to help you get started.
Top UK universities for a degree in engineering management
The UK has pioneered ground-breaking engineering marvels for hundreds of years, fostering a culture of innovation in its universities. UK universities also train you for the needs of the modern business world by helping you understand trends and developing your technical skills. Here are some of the best UK universities to study engineering management:
| University | Suggested Course | Average Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | Advanced Engineering Management MSc (Construction Management) | INR 36 lakhs |
| Sheffield Hallam University | MSc Advanced Engineering and Management | INR 19 lakhs |
| University of Chester | Engineering Management MSc | INR 16 lakhs |
| Swansea University | Sustainable Engineering Management for International Development, MSc | INR 23 lakhs |
| University College London | Digital Engineering Management MSc | INR 21 lakhs |
| Coventry University | Engineering Management MSc | INR 22 lakhs |
| University of Surrey | Infrastructure Engineering and Management MSc | INR 27 lakhs |
| University of Derby | Strategic Engineering Management MSc | INR 16 lakhs |
| University of Wolverhampton | MSc Civil Engineering Management | INR 16 lakhs |
| University of Bristol | MSc Engineering with Management | INR 39 lakhs |
If you’re interested in exploring more UK universities offering a variety of engineering specialisations, read here about the top engineering colleges in the UK. Now let’s understand the entry requirements for an MSc Engineering Management in the UK.
Eligibility criteria to study engineering management in the UK
Engineering management degrees in the UK are aimed at ambitious technical professionals, aspiring to advance to senior roles that utilise management and strategic decision-making skills. UK universities set their own entry requirements for engineering management courses to ensure you have the right skills and knowledge to successfully complete it.
Before applying to your preferred university, you must carefully go through the university’s eligibility criteria to ensure you have all the necessary qualifications, including work experience and English language test scores. We’ve compiled the general qualifications you need to enter a master’s in engineering management in the UK below:
| Criteria | Engineering Management MSc |
|---|---|
| Previous Educational Qualifications | Upper second class honours degree or its international equivalent in any engineering-related subject |
| Work Experience | Minimum two years of work experience in an engineering field |
| English Language Test Scores | IELTS 6.0 overall |
Understanding the entry requirements of the courses you’re applying for can increase your chances of securing admission at a top university. After you’ve shortlisted your universities and read through the entry requirements of your preferred engineering management courses, it can be helpful to:
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Compile a table of entry requirements for your top five course choices to quickly refer to while filling in your applications
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Speak with your advisors and professors about meeting the educational requirements
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Consider applying to multiple universities which have varying entry requirements so you have safe choices
Another important aspect of your application process to the UK is formulating a funding plan for your studies. UK universities have a variety of tuition fees while your living expenses will vary depending on where your university is located. Let’s explore expenses and scholarship opportunities for engineering management students in the next two sections.
Funds required to study engineering management in the UK
The expenses associated with your engineering management degree in the UK are usually classified under three main categories: your pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and your living expenses. Your living expenses will vary depending on your location in the UK and your lifestyle while your tuition fees depend on the university you select for your programme. Your pre-arrival costs generally include the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge you have to pay before coming into the UK.
Pre-arrival expenses to the UK
Before arriving in the UK, you’ll need to apply for a UK Student visa which gives you the right to study and live in the UK for the duration of your course. This application requires you to make the following payments:
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£490 for your online visa application
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£1,552 healthcare surcharge for a two-year visa (the exact amount depends on the length of your visa)
Tuition fees
UK universities have a range of tuition fees, so depending on the funds available, you can select the best-fit one for you. Typically, tuition fees will be between INR 16 lakhs and INR 40 lakhs for an engineering management course.
Cost of living in the UK
Your living expenses in the UK will mainly account for accommodation, food, and travel costs. The average cost of living in the UK per year is around £15,000 (INR 16 lakhs) in London and approximately £12,000 (INR 13 lakhs) in the rest of the country, though this will vary depending on the location. Here’s an overview of the cost of living in the UK:
| Cost | London | Outside of London |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rent | INR 80,000 to INR 90,000 | INR 58,000 to INR 69,000 |
| Monthly Public Transport Costs | INR 10,000 | INR 5,000 |
| Monthly Grocery Costs | INR 16,000 | INR 10,000 |
You can get funding support to manage some of these expenses with a postgraduate scholarship. Let’s look at some scholarships in the UK that you can apply for as an engineering management student.
Scholarships to study engineering management in the UK
Financing the costs of your master’s in engineering management in the UK may be one of your biggest considerations as you plan your studies. The UK has a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to help cover a portion of or the total study costs.
Applying for scholarships can be a time consuming process, but it’s good to apply for more than one to increase your chances. In the UK, postgraduate scholarships are offered by universities, the UK government, and private donors. Even if you don’t get a scholarship that covers all your study-related expenses, you can get a few covering a portion of your studies and significantly reducing your financial strain.
The following table shows scholarships for postgraduate students that can significantly reduce the cost of studying in the UK. We’ve included those specific for engineering management students and ones welcoming applications from students in any subject field.
| Scholarship | Value |
|---|---|
| University of Bradford – Scholarship for Engineering Management MSc | £7,500 tuition fee discount |
| Durham University – MSc Engineering Management Scholarship | £8,250 tuition fee waiver |
| University of York – School of Physics, Engineering, and Technology Taught Masters Scholarship | £3,000 |
| British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM | Fully funded, including tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses |
| Chevening Scholarship | Fully funded, including tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses |
To be eligible for a postgraduate scholarship in the UK, you have to demonstrate outstanding work experience, have an impressive academic record, and often show proof of volunteering and/or community service activities. Once you obtain a scholarship, it can help you focus on your studies without worrying too much about the expenses involved and increase your employability by introducing you to valuable scholarship alumni networks.
Next, we’re looking at the many lucrative career opportunities in the UK for engineering management graduates, so you can plan your studies according to your interests and career aspirations.
Careers you can pursue with an engineering management degree in the UK
Approximately 18% of the UK’s working population is involved in the engineering field, and there’s a growing demand in the UK for professionals who can bridge the gap between engineering and management disciplines. The engineering sector offers a range of prospects for engineering management graduates, including roles in project management, operations management, and technical consulting.
Additionally, industries such as manufacturing, energy, construction, transportation, and information technology actively seek professionals with management skills and a strong engineering background. When deciding on your career after your engineering management degree, a good starting point is to reflect on your areas of expertise, explore your personal interests, and think about your transferable skills that can add value to any role in the industry.
Let’s now have a look at some job roles you can apply for in the engineering industry, along with prospective UK employers and average salaries for each.
| Job Role | Prospective Employer | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Engineering Manager | GitHub | INR 83 lakhs |
| Data Engineering Manager, Analytics | Meta | 1.02 crore |
| Software Engineering Manager | DistroKid | 1.08 crore |
An engineering management degree in the UK helps you develop management skills needed to drive business growth and productivity across multiple engineering industries. The UK is home to many high-ranking universities which offer rigorous academic standards for engineering management students, but sifting through the choices and finetuning your applications can be challenging on your own.
We can help you with profile assessments and goal setting, test prep for IELTS, your college shortlists, your applications and interviews, your financial plan, and your visa application. Contact our experts at SI-UK today and get started on your journey to a top university in the UK.
FAQs
Is engineering management a good career in the UK?
Yes, it is. Approximately 18% of the UK’s working population is involved in the engineering field, and there’s a growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between engineering and management disciplines. Engineering managers can earn approximately INR 83 lakhs on an annual basis. These factors make engineering management a good career to follow in the UK.
What’s engineering management in the UK?
Engineering management courses in the UK teach you management and business skills required for the field of engineering, show you how external factors can affect the engineering industry you’re in, and prepare you to handle complex business challenges. This postgraduate programme generally lasts one year and gives you an MSc (master of science) qualification in engineering management.
Which college is best for engineering management in the UK?
Many UK universities offer a master’s in engineering management, and are known for fostering a culture of innovation. Some of the top UK universities to study engineering management include the University of Bristol, Swansea University, and Durham University.
How much does an engineering management degree cost in the UK?
Typically, tuition fees will be between INR 16 lakhs and INR 40 lakhs for an engineering management course in the UK.
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