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Master of Engineering

Our MEng is an integrated masters degree that combines undergraduate and postgraduate study, fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status. Engineering is a creative and analytical subject. You’ll develop the skills, techniques, and knowledge that professional engineers need and learn the underpinned science and mathematics. The course has a common core with a choice of routes to suit your area of interest. You’ll work on real-life projects to create innovative solutions to challenging problems, teaming up with other students and working on your own projects.

Course Summary

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Integrated masters

Course code: M04

Credits

480

How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning

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Course details Entry requirements Fees and funding How OU study works Careers

Course details

This integrated masters has four stages, each comprising 120 credits.

In Stage 1, you’ll study four 30-credit modules.
In Stage 2, you’ll study three 30-credit core engineering modules and one 30-credit module from your chosen route.
In Stage 3, you’ll study 90 undergraduate credits from your chosen route and one 30-credit postgraduate module.
In Stage 4, you’ll complete a 30-credit individual-project module, study two 30-credit modules from your chosen route and complete a 30-credit team-project module.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You’ll study four 30-credit modules in the order below – studying part-time.


Modules	Credits
You'll study all four of the following:
Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)	30
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)	30
Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)	30
Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176)	30

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You’ll study three 30-credit core engineering modules and one 30-credit module from your chosen route.

Core engineering modules
Modules	Credits
You'll study all three of the following:
Core engineering A (T271)	30
Core engineering B (T272)	30
Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2 (T276)	30

Routes
**You'll choose one of seven routes:**
Modules	Credits
Energy and sustainability
You'll study the following:
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental technologies
You'll study the following:
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Engineering management
You'll choose one from:
Design for engineers (T218)	30
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Materials and design
You'll study the following:
Design for engineers (T218)	30
Mechanical engineering
You'll study the following:
Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229)	30
Modelling and applications
You'll study the following:
Mathematical methods (MST224)	30
Broad route
You'll choose one from:
Design for engineers (T218)	30
Electronics: sensing, logic and actuation (T212)	30
Energy and sustainability (T213)	30
Environmental management: systems and sustainability (T220)	30
Mathematical methods (MST224)	30
Mechanical engineering: heat and flow (T229)	30

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You’ll study 90 credits from your chosen route and one 30-credit postgraduate module.

Routes
Modules	Credits
Energy and sustainability
You'll study all three of the following:
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
Renewable energy (T313)	30
Environmental technologies
You'll study both of the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)	60
Environmental management 2 (T319)	30
Engineering management
You'll study the following:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)	30
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Communications technology (TM355)	30
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
Innovation: designing for change (T317)	60
Materials and design
You'll study both of the following:
Innovation: designing for change (T317)	60
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
Mechanical engineering
You'll study all three of the following:
Mechanical engineering: computer aided engineering (T329)	30
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
Modelling and applications
You'll choose two from:
Computational applied mathematics (MST374)	30
Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326)	30
Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327)	30
You'll study the following:
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30
Broad route
You'll choose 90 credits from:
Communications technology (TM355)	30
Computational applied mathematics (MST374)	30
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)	30
Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327)	30
Electronics: signal processing, control and communications (T312)	30
Graphs, games and designs (MST368)	30
Innovation: designing for change (T317)	60
Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326)	30
Mechanical engineering: computer aided engineering (T329)	30
Nanoscale engineering (T366)	30
Renewable energy (T313)	30
Structural integrity: predicting and assessing performance (T367)	30

Postgraduate modules
Modules	Credits
You'll choose one from:
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)	30
Technology and innovation management (TB801)	30

Stage 4 (120 credits)

You’ll complete a 30-credit individual-project module, study two 30-credit modules from your chosen route and complete a 30-credit team-project module.

Individual project
Modules	Credits
You'll study the following:
The MEng individual project (T460)	30

Routes
Modules	Credits
Energy and sustainability
You'll study the following:
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)	30
You'll choose one from:
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)	30
Making environmental decisions (T891)	30
Environmental technologies
You'll study both of the following:
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)	30
Making environmental decisions (T891)	30
Engineering management
You'll study the following:
Project management (M815)	30
You'll choose one from:
Manufacture materials design (T805)	30
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)	30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)	30
Making environmental decisions (T891)	30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)	30
Technology and innovation management (TB801)	30
Materials and design
You'll study both of the following:
Finite element analysis: basic principles and applications (T804)	30
Manufacture materials design (T805)	30
Mechanical engineering
You'll study both of the following:
Finite element analysis: basic principles and applications (T804)	30
Manufacture materials design (T805)	30
Modelling and applications
You'll study both of the following:
Finite element analysis: basic principles and applications (T804)	30
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820)	30
Broad route
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820)	30
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)	30
Finite element analysis: basic principles and applications (T804)	30
Making environmental decisions (T891)	30
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)	30
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)	30
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)	30
Manufacture materials design (T805)	30
Project management (M815)	30
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)	30
Technology and innovation management (TB801)	30

Team project
Modules	Credits
You'll study the following:
Team engineering (T885)	30

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 14 March 2023.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Master of Engineering uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
face-to-face and/or online learning events
using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
working online or face-to-face in a group with other students
using and producing diagrams and screenshots
working with specialist reading material such as journal articles and technical documents
finding external/third party material online
some modules require you to use specialist software
continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree
some modules contain a compulsory practical element (comprising home experiment kits, some online group work and residential elements).

For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements, so we can put arrangements in place before you start.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Engineering (MEng).

The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 3 and 4.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

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Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification; however, you’ll need some knowledge of mathematics, and the ability to read and write to a good standard of English.

Check you have the necessary skills at students.open.ac.uk/openmark/engineering.ayrf¹

¹This diagnostic will work best on your desktop. Some features are not compatible with mobile/tablet devices.

How much time do I need?

This qualification consists of four stages, normally studied over nine years. Study intensity will vary across the qualification, with some modules being studied consecutively and others overlapping or being studied in parallel.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
support from a dedicated team throughout your study
detailed written feedback on your work.

The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module is an ideal starting point if you have little or no previous knowledge of the sciences, technology and mathematics. It’ll help develop your study skills in advance of your OU qualification, and you get to explore a number of STEM subjects including science, engineering and design, environment, mathematics, and computing and IT.

View full details of Science, technology and maths Access module

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How much will it cost in England?

We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread the cost.

Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won’t have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front.
A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. Added together, they give you the total cost.
Most OU students study part time at a rate of 60 credits a year.
Our current fee for 30 credits at undergraduate level is £1,731* and for 60 credits it’s £3,462*.
Our current fee for 30 credits at postgraduate level is between £1,260* and £2,148*.
At current prices, the total cost of your qualification would start from £25,503*.

*The fees and funding information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2024. Fees normally increase annually. For further information about the University’s fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as such as travel to residential schools, a computer and internet access. If your income is not more than £25,000 or you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after you start studying.

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how you can pay. That’s why we offer a wide range of flexible payment and funding options to help make study more affordable. Options include Part-Time Tuition Fee Loans (also known as student loans), monthly payment plans and employer sponsorship.

Visit our Fees and funding page for a summary of the funding options available.

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and therefore the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you.

How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work, or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website, with:

a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
details of each assignment and their due dates
a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

Tutor support

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
guide you to learning resources
support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms, and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

Usually a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
Modules with an end of module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.
Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
free Microsoft Office 365 software
IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Skills for career development

The areas of knowledge, competence and skills that this degree develops include: the ability to use specialist knowledge to solve problems creatively; collaborative working and communication skills; project management skills; the ability to turn concepts into reality.

Your study will give the skills in providing solutions to engineering problems. These could involve using existing or developing new technologies and designs; refining production systems; or developing new services. It will give you the confidence to be accountable for complex systems with significant levels of risk.

Career relevance

Our MEng is a general engineering qualification that provides an entry into a wide range of more specialist engineering roles. Examples include:

mechanical engineer
electronic engineer
structural engineer

production engineer
biomedical engineer
environmental engineer

materials engineer
other roles within engineering management
manufacturing engineer.

Accreditation

This degree has been accredited by the professional institution(s) below under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Accredited¹ by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

¹IMechE accreditation applies to the following routes only: Materials and design; Mechanical engineering; Modelling and applications.

Other careers

Qualified engineers are much in demand for their rigorous approach to problem solving and high level of numeracy. These skills open up a wide range of other career opportunities – for example, in management or finance – as well as in engineering itself. Opportunities exist in research, design and development, commissioning, project management, technical sales and marketing, technical journalism and patent work. With appropriate experience and qualifications it’s also possible to be a self-employed consultant. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

Register for this course

Start dates

Oct 2023 - Registration closes 07/09/2023
Apr 2024 - Registration closes 07/03/2024

Credit transfer: apply by 03/08/2023

Credit transfer: apply by 08/02/2024

Request your Engineering, Design and Technology prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

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Course details

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

Stage 1 (120 credits)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

Core engineering modules

Routes

Stage 3 (120 credits)

Routes

Postgraduate modules

Stage 4 (120 credits)

Individual project

Routes

Team project

Accessibility

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

Classification of your degree

International recognition

Regulations

Compare this course

Entry requirements

How much time do I need?

Preparing for study with an Access module

Science, technology and maths Access module

What you will study

How much will it cost in England?

Additional costs

Study costs

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

How will I study this course?

Tutor support

Tutorials

Assessment

Other support and resources

Skills for career development

Career relevance

Accreditation

Other careers

Exploring your options

Register for this course

Request your Engineering, Design and Technology prospectus

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