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Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
3 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

MSc in Engineering

Course code: F46

The MSc is a milestone to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You’ll develop a professional approach to your work and extend your engineering skills. You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills, such as creative problem-solving, effective communication, project management and concept realisation. As part of a small project team, and during a UK-based residential school, you’ll design and present a solution to a real-world engineering problem.

  • Develops your planning, organising, data collecting, analysing and writing skills
  • Extends your knowledge of recent research
  • Leads to professional qualifications
  • Ideal preparation for a research degree

The first two-thirds of this MSc is the same as our Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering (E22).

Course type
Masters degree
Credits
180

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
3 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1 (120 credits)

30 credits from List A:

Module Credits Next start
Finite element analysis: principles and applications (T808) NEW

Learn the basics of finite element modelling of components and materials under static and thermal stresses, and dynamic analysis using ANSYS software.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Manufacture materials design (T805)

Introducing materials processing from the perspective of a design engineer, this module explores how components are made, focusing on the interactions between manufacturing, materials and design.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T804, T881 and T884.

60 credits from List B:
Module Credits Next start
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820)

M820 Calculus of Variations and Advanced Calculus covers functionals, Gâteaux differential, Euler–Lagrange equation, First-integral, Noether’s Theorem, Second variation/Jacobi equation and Sturm–Liouville systems.

See full description

Register
 30 04 Oct 2025
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)

This engaging online module will equip you with information on monitoring, modelling, and preventive technologies for water, noise, air, and wastes pollution.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Finite element analysis: principles and applications (T808) NEW

Learn the basics of finite element modelling of components and materials under static and thermal stresses, and dynamic analysis using ANSYS software.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Making environmental decisions (T891)

This module teaches you to use a systems framework to integrate environment with other considerations when making decisions in complex environmental management situations.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)

TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)

This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Manufacture materials design (T805)

Introducing materials processing from the perspective of a design engineer, this module explores how components are made, focusing on the interactions between manufacturing, materials and design.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Project management (M815) 1

This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)

This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)

This module provides the background knowledge and a practical skill-set to lead the way in transforming or creating sustainable organisations of the future.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Technology innovation management (TB801)

This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326) 2

Learn about modelling simple fluid flows, ordinary and partial differential equations and mathematical methods that can be used to solve fluid-flow problems.

See full description

 30 No current presentation
Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327) 2

This module covers core topics in the application of mathematics and is an accessible introduction to the study of applied mathematics at OU level 3.

See full description

 30 No current presentation
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T804, T846, T848, T867, TU811 and TU812.
1 If you intend to follow the professional route in Stage 2, don’t choose M815 in Stage 1 – you’ll study it later on.
2 You may choose only one of these two modules. While the 30 credits you achieve will contribute to the 180 credits required for this qualification, the grade you get won’t contribute to the overall classification.

30 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Team engineering (T885) 3

This module provides an opportunity for you to explore an engineering problem in-depth, working as part of a small team.

See full description

Register
 30 24 Jan 2025
3 To begin T885, you must have completed all other modules in Stage 1.

Stage 2 (60 credits) – you must complete Stage 1 first

You will choose either:

  • a research route
  • a professional route

Research route

60 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Research project (T802)

This research module is the final part of an MSc; you’ll design your own research and submit a dissertation.

See full description

Register
 60 01 Feb 2025

Professional route

60 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Project management (M815)

This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.

See full description

Register
 30 01 May 2025
MSc project: researching in context (T803)

T803 is the capstone module of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project.

See full description

Register
 30 01 Nov 2025
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T847.

The University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that we’ve previously awarded to you. Note, in particular, that you can count the credit from the following modules each towards only a single qualification: Research project (T802) and MSc project: researching in context (T803).

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Master of Science in Engineering. You’ll be entitled to use the letters MSc (Eng) (Open) after your name.

If your masters degree is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.

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

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. 

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 19 March 2024.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

However, some option modules do have entry requirements. We’ll ask you to prove you meet them when you register for any of these modules:

Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:

Our free course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, helps you develop the skills and confidence to manage the requirements and demands of postgraduate study.

How long it takes

Most students study the MSc in Engineering part-time, completing 60 credits a year over three years. Typically, this means 13–24 study hours each week.

You must complete the MSc in Engineering within eight years.

Career relevance

The knowledge and practical experience you gain during your postgraduate studies mean you’ll be well placed to take advantage of the many senior engineering and technology employment opportunities available in the UK and abroad. At the same time, you’ll be developing capabilities that are highly prized by employers in a variety of other sectors, where your logical thinking, numeracy skills, and team working abilities will be in demand.

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.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

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