Overview
- Start dateOctober
- Duration10 months
- DeliveryTaught modules (70%), individual research project (30%)
- QualificationPre-master's
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
- Those who wish to take their career in a new direction and advance their skills in engineering.
- Professionals who have been out of education for some time and wish to get back into the study routine before commencing an MSc programme.
- Graduates with an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics or mathematics that do not meet our standard entry requirements.
- Holders of a UK Ordinary/Pass degree (or equivalent for overseas students) who have industrial experience and cannot be admitted directly.
- Overseas students wishing to enhance their technical English language skills before entering a Cranfield MSc course.
Why this course?
The Pre-master's in Engineering is designed as a bridging programme with the following objectives:
- To enable direct admission to selected engineering master's degree courses from Cranfield University;
- To learn the personal and professional skills needed both for master's level study and in future career development;
- To refresh and enhance the understanding of engineering related science and mathematics skills;
- To understand the methodologies, philosophies and tools used within industry and provide valuable experience of working on open-ended projects.
This course can be used for entry into the following MSc courses:
- Advanced Air Mobility Systems
- Advanced Chemical Engineering
- Advanced Materials: Engineering and Industrial Applications
- Advanced Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Computational Engineering
- Aerospace Dynamics
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Aerospace Materials
- Aerospace Vehicle Design
- Aerospace Vehicle Design: Aircraft Design
- Aerospace Vehicle Design: Avionic Systems Design
- Aerospace Vehicle Design: Structural Design
- Air Transport Management
- Airport Planning and Management
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Astronautics and Space Engineering
- Automotive Engineering
- Automotive Mechatronics
- Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control
- Aviation Digital Technology Management
- Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering
- Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering: Computational Intelligence for Data Analytics
- Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering: Computer and Machine Vision
- Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering: Digital Engineering Design
- Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering: Software Engineering for Technical Computing
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability
- Engineering and Management of Manufacturing Systems
- Management and Information Systems
- Manufacturing Technology and Management
- Metal Additive Manufacturing
- Renewable Energy
- Robotics
- Thermal Power and Propulsion
- Thermal Power and Propulsion - Specialising in Aerospace Propulsion
- Thermal Power and Propulsion - Specialising in Gas Turbine Technology
- Thermal Power and Propulsion - Specialising in Marine Propulsion Technology
- Thermal Power and Propulsion - Specialising in Power, Propulsion and the Environment
- Thermal Power and Propulsion - Specialising in Rotating Machinery, Engineering and Management
- Welding Engineering
Course details
The modules cover many aspects of general engineering applications.
The Pre-master's course in Engineering is an intensive, full-time course delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical laboratory sessions and design exercises.
Course delivery
Taught modules (70%), individual research project (30%)
Individual project
The individual project comprises design exercises or a research project related to the chosen MSc course. It aims to enhance research methodology as well as develop engineering knowledge in your chosen field. Project topics are usually chosen in collaboration with the MSc Course Director.
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.
Basic Aerodynamics
Aim |
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Syllabus |
Fluid Properties and Basic Flow Equations - Definition and examples of a fluid, liquids and gases, pressure, density, temperature, gas laws, energy, momentum, thermodynamic properties, flow conservation equations, viscosity, Reynolds number, compressibility, Mach number. Hydrostatic equation, Bernoulli’s equation. Static, dynamic and total pressure. The Pitot-static tube. Aerodynamic Analysis - Importance of the non-dimensional form versus dimensional data. Geometric terms relating to aerofoil and other immersed bodies (streamlined versus bluff). Characteristic Area, Speed, Density. Aerodynamic pressure distributions - dimensional and non-dimensional - leading to force and moments coefficients w.r.t Incidence. Reynolds number, Typical low speed aerofoil and bluff body characteristics - pressure distribution - the six components, emphasizing lift, drag and pitching moment. Viscosity and the Boundary Layer - Boundary layer concept and structure. Laminar and turbulent flow and transition. Growth of boundary layer on a flat plate. Shear stress and skin friction. Boundary layer thickness (displacement, momentum), Reynolds number dependence. Body profile dependencies. Effects on pressure distribution and Forces produced. Components of Drag. Aircraft - Axes, controls, force and moment components. Vortex Flow and Aerofoil Circulation. Vortex structure. Vorticity and circulation. Aerofoil starting vortex. Aerofoil circulation and lift. The link between viscosity, vorticity and circulation. Low speed 3D wings, span and aspect ratio effects, spanwise loading, vortex models. Drag components and characteristics. Wing stall and stall control - high lift devices - types and how they function - effects on lift, drag and pitching moment with incidence. Low Aspect Ratio wings - Comparison with medium/high aspect ratio wings - example of uses and essential characteristics. Compressibility and Isentropic flow relationships, compressible form of Bernoulli’s equation. Effects on flow development and lifting surface characteristics. Transonic Flow Characteristics. Transonic flow regime. Drag divergence and Critical Mach number. Shock wave development on 2D aerofoil. Linearised similarity rules, leading to the basis of supercritical wing design. The Supersonic Flow and onwards. Modelling methods - Simple ‘everyday’ methods/approximations. Wind tunnel, 2nd Generation models, CFD Modelling. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Aeronautical Engineering
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Military aircraft types. • Types of freighters and helicopters. • Types of guided missiles. • The design and production process. • Structure principles. • Propulsion systems. • Mechanical systems. • Flying controls. • Avionics. • Formulation of requirements. • Derivation of specification. • Interpretation of specification into project design. • Analysis of design solution. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Computing Course
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Mathematics I and II
Aim |
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Syllabus |
Mathematics I
The module will consist of lectures supported by weekly tutorials. Exercises with solutions are supplied to reinforce the lecture material.
Mathematics II Previous knowledge of the topics in this module is not expected. |
Intended learning outcomes |
Mathematics I: On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Mathematics II: On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Engineering Stress Analysis
Aim |
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Syllabus |
Introduction: Function of the stress office. JAR’s and MOD requirements. Concepts of limit, proof and ultimate conditions. Material strength definitions. Equilibrium of plane components. Reserve Factor. Bolted joints, principles of design and classification. Three-dimensional equilibrium, loads within bracket systems. Combination of shear and tension on bolted attachments. Strength prediction for riveted joints, application to cleats. Joints with offset load, elastic load distribution, effects of yielding. Strength of lugs, bearing, tension and shear-out. Effects of pin bending. Lug combinations. Review of beam theory. Construction of shear force and bending moment diagrams, determination of maxima and minima. Point and distributed loading. Review of Engineer’s Theory for prediction of bending stress. Second moment of area, parallel axes theorem. Application to club foot fittings and stress pads. Shear and torsion of thin-walled sections. Complementary shear stress. Derivation of shear flow. Strength of attachments in fabricated sections. Stress resolution, principle stress, and maximum shear stress. Application to combined bending and shear stresses in beams, combined bending, and torsion of shafts. Buckling of struts, use of data sheets. Consideration of control push rods. Effects of eccentricity and lateral loading. Local instability of thin sheet, effective width. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Thermofluids
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Computer Aided Design (CATIA)
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Propulsion and Power
Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Jet Engines - The thrust equation, specific fuel consumption, nozzle exit conditions, reheat, turbojets, turbofans and low specific thrust engines. • Industrial Gas Turbines - Simple cycle, cycles with reheat, intercooling and heat exchangers, combined cycle gas turbines. • Engine Selection - The specific fuel consumption. Specific thrust/power diagram, analysis for different bypass ratios. • Gas Turbines Design - Description of different gas turbine engine models and their fitness for the mission at hand. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Recognise the different types of gas turbines. |
An Introduction to Engineering Materials and Failure Analysis
Aim |
To enable the students to understand the basic structure of engineering materials and how the structure determines the properties of the materials and the applications for which the material is selected. To provide an understanding of the theories of fatigue and fracture mechanics and show how those concepts are applied to the design and testing of aircraft structures. |
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Syllabus |
An Introduction to materials: classification of materials; atomic structure and interatomic bonding; structure of crystalline solids; phase diagrams; mechanical properties of materials; processing of metals, ceramics and polymers. Material Properties & Selection: selection principles; classes of material properties; design limiting properties. Failure modes and deformation: yield criteria. Fatigue analysis: S-N curve approach; mean stress and notch effects; Miner’s cumulative damage rule. Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM): concepts of stress intensity factor, fracture toughness and fracture criteria, residual strength calculation; prediction of fatigue crack growth using the empirical laws. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Mechanical Design
Aim |
To introduce you to the design process for mechanical systems and components. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should at an introductory level be able to: 1. Understand and apply appropriate codes of practice and international standards related to mechanical design. 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the mathematics and scientific principles related to the analysis of machine elements, components, and systems. 3. Design and realise a physical system or component to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. 4. Understand the importance of engineering drawings, especially general assembly and detailed component drawings, as a formal means to communicate technical requirements for assembly and process designs. 5. Manage the engineering design process, identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems and evaluate outcomes. |
Research Methods
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Teaching team
You will be taught by staff with many years of academic and industrial experience from across Cranfield University. The Course Director for this programme is Dr Amir Zare Shahneh.
Your career
Engineers work in a dynamic environment where new technologies, methodologies and processes are being developed. The Pre-master's in Engineering course covers many aspects of general engineering fields including aerospace, automotive and offshore.
After successfully completing this course, you will meet the entry requirements for several of our postgraduate programmes.
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. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.