University College London (UCL)
Systems Engineering Management MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in Systems Engineering Management is designed to help students develop a strong understanding of how to manage complex engineering projects. It covers core topics like systems thinking, design, and management principles, giving students the skills to coordinate and lead technical teams. The program emphasizes practical skills, such as risk management, quality control, and project planning, all within the context of real-world systems. Students are encouraged to think critically about how different parts of large projects come together, preparing them to work effectively in industries like aerospace, transportation, and technology.
The course is structured to combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Students participate in group projects, case studies, and simulations to apply what they learn in real-time. This approach helps to build confidence in problem-solving and decision-making. Additionally, there are opportunities for students to engage with industry through guest lectures and site visits, making it easier to connect classroom learning with actual engineering practices. The program aims to produce graduates who are ready to take on leadership roles in managing complex engineering systems and improving overall project outcomes.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, discussion sessions, workshop activity, and project work.
Each taught course will be separately assessed through a combination of course work and a written examination. The project will be assessed through written dissertation and subsequent oral examination.
A taught module (15 credits) is assumed to require around 150 hours of study. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as independent study.
Around 24 of these 150 hours will be taken with live teaching events and group work, but a significant proportion is independent study time. This includes working through the reading and recorded lectures, researching and responding to the assignment and, where applicable, revision for the exam.
For students on this programme, taught modules are delivered in a block format with contact hours of around 24 hours per block week. Modules in block mode are delivered from Monday to Thursday, and the number of block weeks will depend on the modules selected.
Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, students are expected to use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments. Students are expected to interact with tutors via the Moodle forums before and after class sessions. There are also additional welcome and wrap-up sessions online totalling 3-4 hours per taught module.
In term three and the summer period students will be completing the final report of the research project, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisor.
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time one academic year, or flexible study up to five years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 12 weeks, or flexible study up to three years) is offered.
Modules
Full-time
Over a calendar year you will complete all of the modules. The five compulsory taught modules and one option taught module occur across terms 1 – 3, with most of the teaching within the first two terms. The Project Concept is introduced in term 1 and concludes at the start of term 2, SEIP starts in term 2 and concludes early in the summer term. The final report starts at the end of the Project Concept and runs until the end of the summer term.
Part-time
Part-time study: In the first year you will need to complete four to six taught modules. The five compulsory taught modules and one option taught module occur across terms 1 – 3, with most of the teaching within the first two terms. In the second year you will complete any remaining taught modules and undertake the Project Concept, Systems Engineering in Practice and the Final Report.
Flexible
You can choose to complete the programme over the 5 years or less. In each year you will choose which modules you want to complete that year. Project Concept and Systems Engineering in Practice are typically taken in the penultimate or final year. The Final Report is conducted in the final year.
Compulsory modules
- Systems Thinking Engineering Management
- Lifecycle Management
- Risk, Reliability, Resilience
- The Business Environment
- Systems Engineering in Practice
- Project Management Project Concept
- Project Management Research Project
- Systems Design
Optional modules
- Project Management A
- Delivering Complex Projects
- Technology Strategy
- Leadership
- Transformation for Sustainability
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Systems Engineering Management. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Systems Engineering Management. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Systems Engineering Management.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
What this course will give you
This MSc combines academic rigour with the practical expertise exemplified by our collaborators in UK industry and government. The flexible programme enables participants to structure their studies to suit their own career goals.
The programme combines lectures, group exercises and case studies to reinforce key points. Lecturers are experts in the field, many of whom have engaged in the practice of systems engineering in industry, and all of whom oversee research across a broad range of subjects relating to systems engineering, project management and technology management.
Industry is operating in an environment where technology changes rapidly, and where global competition grows ever more intensive. The challenge to remain competitive means we must make the right thing at the right price. Our MSc equips graduates with the skills to meet this challenge.
The foundation of your career
Students from our programmes go onto a wide range of organisations including in consultancy, technology, systems and project roles. Examples of destination organisations include PwC, Goldman Sachs Group, Jaguar Land Rover, as well as those sponsoring students such as Network Rail, GE Aviation, Siemens, WPC and PA Consulting.
Employability
Complex systems are commonplace in many branches of UK industry including rail, aerospace, and manufacturing. The ability to create such systems effectively is crucial to the competitiveness of these industries and has a direct bearing on the wealth of the nation.
Previous graduates have secured employment in the following sectors: energy, natural resources and the environment; IT, technology and telecoms; and manufacturing.
Networking
Our programmes attract students who are already in work from a variety of companies and sectors. There are opportunities during teaching events to discuss and compare experiences. In some modules we invite industry speakers as part of the teaching. Alongside the module teaching we have a Professional Skills development series which typically includes talks from industry professionals, from alumni now in work and industry visits.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 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.