Engineering (Industrial Engineering) - BEng (Hons) (part-time)

Course Detail

Having completed your level 4 programme, you will go on to acquire a deep understanding of industry, business, quality and management processes taking a keen interest in human factors, improvement, ergonomics, customer satisfaction and quality.

Industrial engineers operate at the centre of complex processes, systems and organisations, putting into practice their technical engineering knowledge, alongside expertise in business development, operations management and project management.

This means that as well as the specific technical engineering aspects of this programme, you will also gain a thorough insight into areas like lean manufacturing, quality systems and plant management to achieve the improvement in cost control, efficiency, quality and productivity which are at the heart of what industrial engineering is designed to do.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 48 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:

• DD from A levels to include mathematics and a technology, engineering or science-based subject
• PPP from Extended Diploma, MP from Diploma, MM from 90 Credit Diploma in a science or technology-based subject, including passes in mathematics
• Mathematics GCSE at Grade B/5 or above and English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above

The entry criteria for direct entry onto Level 5 of the programme are:

• HNC or HND with an overall merit grade in: Mechanical, General or Aeronautical Engineering or an appropriate Engineering discipline

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis.

Qualification Obtained

BEng (Hons) Engineering (Industrial Engineering)

Industry Placement and Field Trips

The programme has been designed to carefully align with industrial need.

You are strongly encouraged to gain work experience, via summer internships, short courses in industry, and industrial visits. Although work placement is not an integral part of the programme, we regularly invite guest speakers, employers and previous students at relevant points throughout your studies to integrate the academic and work based experience.

You will also have the opportunity to volunteer for engineering events and competitions which will involve hands-on, experiential learning tasks based on industry practice.

Case studies of workplaces and employment will be embedded within specific modules and will feature throughout the programme, as will the development of aligning attitudes and behaviours expected of a professional engineer. 

Field trips to appropriate industry partners are arranged as per availability and as needs arise. We will aim to organise at least one field trip per year whether as part of employability or industry engagement.

Other engagement opportunities in Engineering are also available, including conference participations, publications, competitions and events attendance. You will be able to use these towards a Degree Plus application and to enrich your continuous professional development.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Most courses are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams – the percentage weighting of each of these is outlined below. Coursework might range from written tasks and assignments to the collation of a portfolio of evidence based around a work placement. Coursework differs from exams in that it is usually non-timed and carried out independently.

Exam

Exams are formal, timed written assessments, carried out in a controlled environment and overseen by one or more invigilators. They assess your grasp of the theory and underpinning knowledge related to your chosen career area. The opposite of practicals, they require you to set out your practical understanding within an academic context. Some courses have no exams – the exam/coursework ratio is outlined below.

Practical

Practical assessments identify your technical ability to apply theory to hands-on tasks in your chosen career area. They can be timed or non-timed and involve observation of your practical skills and competencies, either in a work-based environment or a dedicated College setting that closely resembles the workplace. Practical work-based assessments are supported and carried out by a trained assessor

Tuition Fees

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Other Costs and Equipment

You will need your own scientific calculator; we recommend the Casio FFX-91ES (costs start from around £15).

Books, journals and electronic resources can be accessed via the College's learning resources facilities.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Career Options and Progression

This degree pathway will enable you to be a proactive problem-solver across industries and manufacturing industry giants, in transport, civil, aerospace sectors as well as high-tech companies and start-ups and smaller-scale, local enterprises, whether in production, manufacturing or their support services and administration.

Industrial engineering enables graduates to compete for a very wide range of jobs, including government positions and key roles within businesses. The development and evolution of information systems, productivity, sustainability and optimisation are among the topics industrial engineers consider on a daily basis in their work.

With an Industrial Engineering qualification, you may work across all sectors in process optimisation, planning, development, research, and across practically all industry fields, from healthcare and retail to energy production and manufacturing, and even banking and government organisations.

You will be able to work as process engineer, quality control specialist, project manager, safety engineer and many others. Work will also be found in inspection services, health and safety and numerous other fields. Industrial engineers work very well in teams with all other engineering professionals and are great additions to innovative tech companies and start-ups.

Upon graduation, you may expect a reasonable starting salary depending on companies. Your salary will go up as you gather varied experience and engage in professional development and lifelong learning.

Certifications in project management, lean, and lean six sigma, along with international experience, provide good opportunities to rise up in qualifications and salary. Midcareer many industrial engineers go into managerial positions that require a mix of business, management and engineering knowledge and skills. This makes them very adaptable to corporate international settings. Some consider MBA or EMBA qualifications at this point, or Masters degrees In Project Management, Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain.

A number of industrial engineers are also entrepreneurs and business owners. A few engage in start-up ventures or work as consultants. At senior level, you may expect higher salaries in the usual engineering range depending on knowledge, skills, experience and the company.

Graduates are knowledgeable in business development, operations management and project management practices. Industrial Engineering produces highly performant graduates who thrive in industry careers.

They are also able to focus on the development of project and human resource management skills. They can fill a wide variety of roles in production, manufacturing, design, logistics, testing, quality and systems development. Industrial Engineering graduates work in production and manufacturing as planning, engineers, process engineers, sales engineers, managers.

They also work in quality control, cost and risk control, data analysis, optimisation, and production management as improvement specialists or quality officers. They may find work in research, design and development. Industrial engineers are required to have a broad understanding of a range of engineering and associated management subject disciplines which are constantly updated when working in the industry.