Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management

ISMM Overview

The MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management (ISMM) is a one-year postgraduate programme designed to equip numerate graduates, primarily from Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths backgrounds, with the skills, personal development and industrial experience to be immediately effective in their early careers in industry.

The course considers the whole value chain and builds an integrated view of manufacturing spanning marketing, design, production, product/service delivery and industrial sustainability. The strategic context at company, national and international level is considered.

The programme is structured around taught modules, company visits and in-company projects solving live business or technical problems. An overseas study tour offers a broader international context and the individual research thesis allows greater depth of study in a specific area of manufacturing.

Why manufacturing?

Manufacturing is not just about making things in factories. It involves everything from understanding markets, designing products and processes, to managing complex supply chains, distribution networks and related services. Manufacturing is recognised as vital to a strong and successful economy. Manufacturing “creates wealth, sustains jobs and is central to our economic success. Modern manufacturing is at the frontier of new technologies, products and ways of working...” (DTI Manufacturing Strategy)

Why Cambridge?

Cambridge University consistently tops the league tables for quality of teaching and research. The study of Engineering has a long history here and the University is committed to its future growth and development.

Around 10% of all our students, that is around 1200 undergraduates and 350 postgraduates, study Engineering. The Department achieved the highest rating in the two national Research Assessment Exercises and in the Teaching Quality Assessment undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, its teaching was considered of the highest standard.

ISMM was developed originally in the 1960s to provide a bridge from academia to industry and is now run by the Institute for Manufacturing, one of the divisions of the Department of Engineering.

Course members will join a University College and be able to participate in a wide range of leisure and supporting activities. The majority of the teaching will take place at the IfM building on the West Cambridge site off Madingley Road.