Engineering

MEng (Hons) Instrumentation and Control Engineering

Length: 4/5 years
UCAS code: H661 MEng/ICNE
Typical offer: individualised offer following an interview or 280 tariff points

This course deals with the theory, design and use of sensors, instruments, computers and control systems for automation. It is an essential element in a diverse range of sectors within science and engineering, such as aerospace, nuclear, chemical, pharmaceutical, environment, safety systems, electrical generation and supply. This course aims to develop the knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary in the instrumentation and control profession.

What you study

Year 1 provides a broad foundation to the subject area. Year 2 builds on Year 1 and introduces more discipline-related subjects. Year 3 allows further specialisation and introduces the broadening and professional skills required for Chartered Engineer status. Your final year provides advanced study and consolidates the skills required by a professional engineer.

How you learn

You will have a range of lectures, small-group tutorials and hands-on laboratory sessions. Part of your course will also involve a substantial research-based project.

The course has been designed to provide a number of contact teaching and assessment hours (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, projects, examinations), but you are also expected to spend time on your own, called ‘self-study’ time, to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments. Each year of full-time study consists of modules totalling 120 credits and each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment.

How you are assessed

Your course will involve a range of types of assessment including coursework assignments, laboratory work, presentations and tests.

Professional placements

You are encouraged to spend your third year on an industrial placement. This provides the opportunity to gain relevant professional experience to enhance your technical knowledge and can improve employment prospects. Some find employment with their placement company after graduating.

Professional accreditation

This course is in the process of being accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology towards full CEng membership.

Career opportunities

Instrumentation and Control graduates can be involved in activities such as:

the design and maintenance of multimillion-pound chemical plants and manufacturing plants
the development of advanced measurement and control systems
environmental analysis and monitoring.

They contribute to almost every area of modern manufacturing, service and financial industries. Graduates from this course have found employment worldwide in a range of industrial and contracting companies including ABB, BASF, BNFL, Honeywell, Tioxide, Kavaerner, Sabic and Huntsman.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally invited for an interview which enables them to see our excellent facilities and meet the staff and students. Each applicant will receive an individualised offer following an interview. In cases where an interview cannot take place the typical offer will be 280 tariff points from at least two A levels or equivalent, one of which should be in mathematics or physics or have substantial relevant mathematical content.

Applications from suitably-motivated mature students and those with other equivalent qualifications are warmly welcomed.

For additional information please see the standard University entry requirements.