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Accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council -
Gain the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) -
Take part in individual and team-based projects, practical activities, remote access experiments and a UK-based residential school -
Move to a different engineering qualification if your aspirations change, even after you’ve started -
Choose from a broad engineering route and a selection of specialist routes -
Develop your employability skills, including personal and professional development planning
- Code
- M04
- Course type
Integrated Master - Level
Undergraduate - Credits
480 - Length
Part-time – 8 years
- Start dates
October 2026 April 2027
- Study method
- Distance learning
Stage 1 (120 credits)
Core engineering modules
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study all three of the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
| 30 | Apr | |
| 30 | Feb | |
Broad route
Energy and sustainability route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
Engineering management route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll choose one from: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
| 30 | Oct | |
| 30 | Oct | |
Environmental technologies route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
Mechanical engineering route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
Modelling and applications route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
Stage 2 (120 credits)
Broad route
Energy and sustainability route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study all three of the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
| 30 | Oct | |
| 30 | Oct | |
Engineering management route
Environmental technologies route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study both of the following: | ||
| 60 | Oct | |
| 30 | Oct | |
Mechanical engineering route
Modelling and applications route
Postgraduate modules
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll choose one from: | ||
| 30 | Nov | May | |
| 30 | Nov | May | |
Stage 3 (120 credits)
Individual project
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Oct | |
Broad route
Energy and sustainability route
Engineering management route
Environmental technologies route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study both of the following: | ||
| 30 | Nov | |
| 30 | May | |
Mechanical engineering route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study both of the following: | ||
| 30 | Nov | |
| 30 | May | |
Modelling and applications route
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study both of the following: | ||
| 30 | Nov | |
| 30 | May | |
Team project
| Modules | Credits | Start month |
|---|---|---|
| You'll study the following: | ||
| 30 | Sep | Jan | |
Stage 4 (120 credits)
What you'll learn and the skills you'll gain
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Master advanced engineering knowledge – Gain expertise in engineering principles, analytical techniques, modelling, and specialist software. -
Apply engineering in real contexts – Design sustainable, safe, and cost-effective solutions using scientific, mathematical, and technical knowledge. -
Develop professional practice – Manage projects responsibly with awareness of ethical, legal, environmental, and safety issues. -
Build transferable skills – Strengthen problem-solving, communication, teamwork, IT use, planning, and independent learning.
Awarded qualification
International recognition
Regulations
See how this course compares
Stage 1
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Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 10–14 hours each week.
Stage 2
-
Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 10–14 hours each week. -
Full-time, it’ll take about one year, studying up to 24 hours each week.
Stage 3
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Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 10–20 hours each week. -
Full-time, it’ll take about one year, studying up to 30 hours each week.
Stage 4
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Part-time, it’ll take about two years. Weekly study hours will depend on when you study your postgraduate modules.
Supporting you every step of the way
Manage your studies on the module website
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a weekly study planner, along with course materials like reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities -
module discussion forums and collaborative activities to connect with other learners -
a clear overview of assignments and due dates -
tools to book tutorials, access online tutorial rooms, and contact your tutor.
Dedicated tutor support
Live online tutorials
How your learning is assessed
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Computer-Marked Assignments – often multiple-choice questions completed online. -
Tutor-Marked Assignments – tasks like essays, questions, experiments, or other activities. You’ll submit them by a set deadline and receive detailed feedback from your tutor. -
End-of-Module Assessments – These are the final marked assignments for most modules. Modules with an end-of-module assessment usually don’t have an exam. -
Exams – Some modules have exams you will sit remotely. However, we regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination methods used in this qualification to include in-person exams or remotely invigilated (proctored) exams. -
Residential schools – A future replacement for T176 (and later T276) may include an in-person residential school. This is still subject to formal University approval. We expect to confirm this by the end of the year, we’ll update this page and contact registered students at that point.
Other support and resources
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access to the OU’s extensive online library, filled with study resources -
the ability to use other university libraries across the UK and Ireland -
the online Help Centre, offering study tips and support -
free access to Microsoft Office 365 software -
IT support through our Computing Helpdesk -
the chance to connect with the OU community.
Entry requirements for this course
Computing requirements for this course
Have you studied before?
Tuition fee in England
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A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. When added together, they give the total cost. -
Our current fee for a 30-credit module at undergraduate level is £2,044* and for a 60-credit module it’s £4,088*. -
Our current fee for a 30-credit module at postgraduate level is between £1,865* and £2,480*.
Total fee for qualification at current prices
What's included?
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a computer and the internet to access our learning resources and to participate in online tutorials. -
travel to attend the two residential weekends that are part of the compulsory module, T885.
What are my funding options?
Tuition Fee Loan
Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA)
Card payments
Employer sponsorship
Mixed payments
Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs)
Scholarships and other support
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help with study-related costs like set books and internet access -
a free introductory Access module to build your confidence and skills -
funding to study an OU qualification for free from our Carers’ Scholarships Fund if you are, or have recently been, an unpaid carer -
a Care Experienced Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you're care experienced and aged 25 and under -
a Sanctuary Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you’ve been displaced from your homeland for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures -
funding from our Scholarship for Black Students to study an OU qualification for free if you identify as being from a Black background
If you have a disability
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The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government grant to cover study support costs if you have a disability. It’s not means-tested, and there’s no age limit. Visit our Supporting students with disabilities page to find out more. -
If your disability is a result of being injured in, or due to, military service, you could be eligible for our Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund .
Skills for career development
Career relevance
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mechanical engineer -
structural engineer -
production engineer -
biomedical engineer -
environmental engineer -
materials engineer -
other roles within engineering management -
manufacturing engineer.
Accreditation


