Manufacturing and service industries require many more talents who can tackle the challenges that come with operating in a complex, global environment. Learn advanced techniques for integrating product development at different levels, and how to design and manufacture intelligent, sustainable and internationally competitive products.

At a glance

  • 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

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.

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.

Your teaching team

Accreditation

The MSc in Global Product Development and Management is accredited by the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), the Insitution of Engineering Design (IED), the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 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.

Course details

The course comprises eight assessed modules, a group project and an individual research project.


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.

Assessment

Taught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%

University Disclaimer

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 modules and (where applicable) some elective modules affiliated with this programme which ran in the academic year 2017–2018. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2018 entry. All modules are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course

Technology and Prototyping

Module Leader
  • Matthew Collins
Aim

    Specialised module to introduce industry prototyping design processes. This module will also introduce the facilities/workshops available at Cranfield.
Syllabus
    • Basic introduction to Innovation and Technology Readiness Levels.
    • Understand the benefits of ‘good’ requirements engineering e.g. how to capture and write ‘good’ requirements.
    • Roles of consumer research, benchmarking and management in successful new product development, the impact of creativity and innovation methods on new product development, User Centric Design-Driven Design, hands on practice using a market leading software. Concept development manifested in a design proposition.
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
  • Identify and write design specification requirements for a new product, service or system.
  • Discuss, plan and build low fidelity prototypes using design best practice and agile innovation techniques.
  • Critically evaluate industrial best practice tools and techniques for converting an idea into commercially viable solutions.
  • Reflect upon the value of technology readiness levels used as an innovation process.
  • Think creatively within a multi-disciplinary team using self and group reflective techniques.

Operations Management

Module Leader
  • Professor Harris Makatsoris
Aim

    To introduce core factors of managing operations.
Syllabus
    • An introduction to manufacturing and service activities
    • Capacity, demand and load; identifying key capacity determinant; order-size mix problem; coping with changes in demand
    • Standard times, and how to calculate them; process analysis and supporting tools; process simplification
    • What quality is; standards and frameworks; quality tools; quality in the supply chain
    • Scheduling rules; scheduling and nested set-ups
    • Roles of inventory; dependent and independent demand; Economic Order Quantity; uncertain demand; inventory management systems and measures
    • Information systems – at operational, managerial, and strategic levels; bills of material; MRP, MPRll and ERP systems
    • Ohno’s 7 wastes; Just-in-Time systems (including the Toyota Production System, and Kanbans)
    • Class discussion of cases, exercises, and videos to support this syllabus
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.

Product Development

Module Leader
  • Dr Ahmed Al-Ashaab
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)
    • Concurrent Engineering
    • PD Tools and Methods
    • Lean Product Development
    • Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE)
    • SBCE Industrial Case Studies
    • PD in Knowledge-based Environment
    • Trade-Off Curves to enable SBCE
    • Tutorial PD Project
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.

Managing Innovation and New Product Development

Module Leader
  • Dr Clive Savory
Aim
    This module presents innovation management as a key strategic competence, and aims to equip students with practical tools and hands-on experience enabling them to contribute to the management and improvement of innovation in industry. Innovation management theory and practice are demonstrated using team based learning and discussions around research, practical examples, case studies and a new product development simulation exercise.
Syllabus
    • Introduction to innovation management as an organisational capability
    • Introduction to the dimensions of innovation: products, services, business processes and business model.
    • Innovation Strategy
    • Technology development and innovation
    • User-centred innovation
    • Business model innovation
    • Service innovation
    • Management of New product development projects
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
1. Describe key concepts and issues in innovation and will be able to identify the potential for product service, process, and business model innovation within an organization and/or network;
2. Compare and contrast strengths and weaknesses of an organization in terms of its innovation management and performance;
3. Apply and evaluate key tools, techniques and approaches to managing innovation and new product development
4. Develop the ability to critically select and apply appropriate tools, techniques and perspectives in actual business situations;
5. Judge the challenges in managing new product development1.

Design Driven Innovation Processes

Module Leader
  • Professor Tetsuo Tomiyama
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.


Syllabus
      • The definition and typology of design driven innovation
      • Design thinking and design process modelling.
      • Function modelling
      • Product-service systems
      • Creative design methods
      • An exercise of design-driven innovation (group assignment)
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
1. Explain the concept of innovation and create competitive advantage of product-service systems.
2. Formally model and explain product-service systems.
3. Formally model and analyse customer requirements.
4. Formally model and analyse function models.
5. Apply methods for systematic and exhaustive definition and exploration of the design space.
6. Generate design solutions creatively.
7. Compare, evaluate and validate design solutions.

General Management

Module Leader
  • Dr Yuchun Xu
Aim

    To give an introduction to some of the key general management, personal management and project management skills needed to influence and implement change.
Syllabus
    • Management Accounting Principles and Systems;
    • 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

Module Leader
  • Dr John Ahmet Erkoyuncu
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
    • Introduction to modelling: taxonomy, overview of methods and techniques;
    • 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.

Decision Engineering

Module Leader
  • Dr John Ahmet Erkoyuncu
Aim

    In competitive business environments, it is important to understand the relationships between different business factors, to forecast trends, to appreciate the risks arising from multiple decision paths actions, and to optimise strategies. As decisions are often taken under considerable uncertainty and time pressure it is important to be able to grasp the range of uncertainty and make rational decisions. This course aims to enhance student ability to apply structured methods to decision making.
Syllabus
    • Regression Modelling
    • Statistical Sampling
    • Risk Analysis
    • Optimisation
    • Predictive analytics
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
1. Understand the range of logical and structured applications of modern decision making methods and computer technologies applied to business problems.
2. Interpret and use statistics to structure decision problems.
3. Appreciate central role of judgment and critical thinking in decision analysis.
4. Demonstrate different types of decision technology and identify their applications in industry.

Fees and funding

European Union students applying for university places in the 2018 to 2019 academic year will still have access to student funding support. Please see the UK Government’s announcement (21 April 2017).

Cranfield University welcomes applications from students from all over the world for our postgraduate programmes. The Home/EU student fees listed continue to apply to EU students.


MSc Full-time £10,000
MSc Part-time £1,635 *
PgDip Full-time £8,000
PgDip Part-time £1,635 *
PgCert Full-time £4,400
PgCert Part-time £1,635 *
  • * The annual registration fee is quoted above and will be invoiced annually. An additional fee of £1,415 per module is also payable on receipt of invoice. 
  • ** Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments, up to a maximum of two payments per year; first payment on or before registration and the second payment six months after the course start date. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.

Fee notes:

  • The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
  • All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
  • A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
  • Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
  • Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
MSc Full-time £20,000
MSc Part-time £20,000 **
PgDip Full-time £16,200
PgDip Part-time £16,200 **
PgCert Full-time £8,100
PgCert Part-time £11,760 **
  • * The annual registration fee is quoted above and will be invoiced annually. An additional fee of £1,415 per module is also payable on receipt of invoice. 
  • ** Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments, up to a maximum of two payments per year; first payment on or before registration and the second payment six months after the course start date. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.

Fee notes:

  • The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019.
  • All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
  • A deposit may be payable, depending on your course.
  • Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged.
  • Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.

Funding Opportunities

To help students find and secure appropriate funding, we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Visit the funding finder.

Postgraduate Loan from Student Finance England
A Postgraduate Loan is now available for UK and EU applicants to help you pay for your Master’s course. You can apply for a loan at GOV.UK

Santander MSc Scholarship
The Santander Scholarship at Cranfield University is worth £5,000 towards tuition fees for full-time master's courses. Check the scholarship page to find out if you are from an eligible Santander Universities programme country.

Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at Cranfield university. The scholarship includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.

Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)
The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.

Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries
Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship which includes tuition fees, travel and monthly stipend for Master’s study.

Future Finance Student Loans
Future Finance offer student loans of up to £40,000 that can cover living costs and tuition fees for all student at Cranfield University.

Global Manufacturing Leadership Masters Scholarship
The Cranfield Global Manufacturing Leadership (GML) scholarships, provided by Cranfield Manufacturing contributes towards the costs of study (tuition fee plus £1000 maintenance grant). Awards are made for a maximum duration of one calendar year for full time study.

Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)
Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.


Entry requirements

A first or second class UK Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Other relevant qualifications together with considerable industrial experience may be considered.

English Language

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. Our minimum requirements are as follows:

IELTS Academic – 6.5 overall
TOEFL – 92
Pearson PTE Academic – 65
Cambridge English Scale – 180
Cambridge English: Advanced – C
Cambridge English: Proficiency – C

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.

We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).

Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.

Applicants who do not already meet the English language entry requirement for their chosen Cranfield course can apply to attend one of our Presessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. We offer Winter/Spring and Summer programmes each year to offer holders.


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.

Applying

Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.

Apply Now