Overview
- Start dateFull-time: October, part-time: throughout the year
- DurationOne year full-time, two-five years part-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
This truly world-leading course has been designed to address the need for highly trained business leaders able to respond to the challenges and demands of modern globalised markets.
Designed for mid-career professionals, career changers, and ambitious, internationally focused graduates looking to enhance their careers in a global context. We develop global thinkers who can apply their knowledge of global markets to effectively manage cross-border teams and develop internationally competitive products and services.
The part-time option allows flexible study for those currently in work, part-time students are required to attend typically four modules a year at Cranfield University, modules are taught over a one week period with assessment via a mixture of assignments and examinations.
Why this course?
The world is becoming increasingly connected, bringing a host of new challenges in terms of organisational management, product development and cross-border collaboration. This course develops highly educated employees, equipped with an international understanding of global manufacturing and service. It covers cutting-edge technologies for worldwide product development and management, including concept creation and creativity.
Informed by Industry
Our courses are designed to meet the training needs of industry and have a strong input from experts in their sector. Students who have excelled have their performances recognised through course awards. The awards are provided by high profile organisations and individuals, and are often sponsored by our industrial partners. Awards are presented on Graduation Day.
Course details
The course comprises eight assessed modules, a group project and an individual research project.
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%
Group project
The group project experience is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. Teams of students work to solve an industrial problem. The project applies technical knowledge and provides training in teamwork and the opportunity to develop non-technical aspects of the taught programme. Part-time students can prepare a dissertation on an agreed topic in place of the group project.
Industrially orientated, our team projects have support from external organisations. As a result of external engagement Cranfield students enjoy a higher degree of success when it comes to securing employment. Prospective employers value the student experience where team working to find solutions to industrially based problems are concerned.
Individual project
Either industrially or academically driven, students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. The project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine manufacturing problems. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Design, Technology and Prototyping
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| Aim |
This specialised module will introduce you to the industry prototyping design processes. You will also be introduced to the facilities and workshops available at Cranfield. |
| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Operations Management
| Aim |
To introduce core factors of managing operations. |
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| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Apply the ‘Framework for the Management of Operations’ to all operations, from pure service to pure manufacturing. 2. Identify the key capacity determinant in an operation, and carry out an analysis to develop the most appropriate approach in response to changes in demand. 3. Select and apply appropriate approaches and tools to determine standards and improve processes. 4. Determine the information needed to support businesses, in particular manufacturing operations. 5. Analyse problems rigorously to develop options, and select an appropriate option taking into consideration relevant factors such as risk, opportunities, cost, flexibility, and time to implement. 6. Select appropriate Just-in-Time (JIT) tools to improve operations. 7. Develop appropriate quality systems for the whole of their supply chain – from supplier, through operations to customers – and ensure these systems are sustained and a culture of continuous improvement prevails. |
Lean Product Development
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| Aim |
As Master level course this module has to develop knowledge, critical scientific thinking and hands-on experiences for developing a product. A scholarly approach of product development, project management and evolution, as well as the use of the most suitable material and technology, are expected. Research appropriately into customer and market requirements and their analysis to translate the requirements into product specification. |
| Syllabus |
• Introduction to Product Development (PD) |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of product development process in lean environment and addressing global collaboration. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of selection of materials and manufacturing processes. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of tools and techniques to support product development such as QFD, DFM, DFA, FMEA. 4. Demonstrate skill of using CAD/CAE tools to support the development of a product. 5. Apply materials appropriately to product applications and manufacturing processes. 6. Demonstrate knowledge of considerations of sustainability issues in product development. |
Design Driven Innovation Processes
| Aim |
This module introduces the core concepts, systematic methods, and tools for design-driven innovation of product-service systems through group assignments. It emphasises formal treatment of product-service systems as well as systematic methods for exploring the design space creatively and exhaustively. Through exercises given during the module, the student will develop the ability to compare and compose appropriate building blocks for the delivery of value creation, and to build shared understandings for managing and implementing the innovation process effectively. The assignment topic will be given in collaboration with an industrial partner. |
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| Syllabus |
• Innovation Overview
• Design thinking and design process modelling. • Lean StratupProduct-service systems • Hoshin KanriTRIZ-Problem-solving |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Assess the concept of innovation and create competitive advantage of product-service systems. |
General Management
| Aim |
To give an introduction to some of the key general management, personal management and project management skills needed to influence and implement change. |
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| Syllabus |
• Personal style and team contribution, interpersonal dynamics, leadership, human and cultural diversity; • Project Management: structure and tools for project management • Introduction to standards: awareness of standards, relevant standards (quality, environment and H&S), value of using standards, management of the standard and audit. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Understand the objectives, principles, terminology and systems of management accounting. 2. Have an appreciation of inter-relationships between functional responsibilities in a company. 3. Have a practical understanding of different management styles, team roles, different cultures, and how the management of human diversity can impact organisational performance. 4. Have an understanding of structure, aspects, and tools for project management. 5. Critique the role of standards and their management in manufacturing. |
Enterprise Modelling
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| Aim |
To extend the student’s ability to evaluate integrated knowledge systems within the context of the wider enterprise environment through the application of modelling and simulation tools, techniques and methodologies. |
| Syllabus |
• Enterprise Modelling and lean concepts and architecture • Structured Systems Analysis methodology, Process description capture tools and techniques, Object state transition network; • Discrete-event simulation, Systems dynamics and Agent-based simulation techniques and methodologies; • Case study analysis, use of industry-based software tools |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Distinguish the concepts of modelling approaches and architecture. 2. Analyse challenges in the capture and representation of business knowledge for the purpose of modelling. 3. Critically evaluate the opportunities in a business where modelling and simulation can add value. 4. Construct and apply different modelling & simulation tools used in producing enterprise models. |
Digital Engineering
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| Syllabus |
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| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Supply Chain Management
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| Syllabus |
• Management of supplier relationships • Introduction to agile and segmented supply chains • Management of global supply chains • Supply chain resilience and risk management • Supply chain management tools,modelling approaches and SC analytics |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Appraise the basic principles underlying supply chain management and the potential impact on an organisations competitive position and its performance 2. Assess the different characteristics of agile supply chains, identify pre-conditions to agility and propose capabilities and practices to improve supply chain agility 3. Assess key aspects of a customer responsive supply chain strategy within defined service and demand profiles 4. Explore the role of big data in managing the supply chain 5. Evaluate evolving supply relationships and explain the potential roles of co-ordination and collaboration |
Teaching team
The Course Director for this programme is Dr Ahmed Al-Ashaab and the Admissions Tutor for this programme is Matthew Caffrey.
When you're at Cranfield, it doesn't feel like you're learning by the book, you're learning on the job. Everything you do is a real problem, a real piece of work. The knowledge and experience that I gained from my time at Cranfield has been invaluable to securing and succeeding in my role.
Tom Leigh, Shaft Cell Manager
Accreditation
Re-accreditation for the MSc in Global Product Development and Management is currently being sought with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) and Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
Please note accreditation applies to the MSc award. PgDip and PgCert do not meet in full the further learning requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Your career
This course will enable graduates to progress to senior roles in a range of global businesses. Previous graduate destinations include aerospace and automotive manufacturing multi-nationals, as well as leading consultancy firms.
Cranfield Careers Service
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. We will support you in the job application process for up to three years after graduation.
