The course aims to combine theory with the application of this theory through a series of structured industrial projects.

Induction project

Early in the course, students in groups of about eight take part in an induction project in a company, mapping the flows of materials and information. The project teaches them how to gather and process information in a company, and how to generate and present a coherent picture, both as an oral presentation and as a written report.

Two week industrial project

In Michaelmas and Lent terms, students in groups of between two and four work in a company for periods of two weeks to solve a real problem. A staff member oversee the project and has regular contact with the students, and they have a supervisor in the company, but they are expected to be self-sufficient to a high degree.

Four week industrial project

In Lent term, students tackle a four week project. This is generally in a different sector to the two week project, and aims to enable the team to tackle a more substantial, often strategic, issue.

If you are a company and wish to know how you might be involved, please see our webpage on student projects.

Examples of recent short projects:

Jaguar Land Rover, Solihull: Enhancing Rework Processes.

Ash and Lacy, Smethwick: Productivity improvement on the perforating process.

Siemens, Congleton: Bottleneck Analysis.

VIP Polymers, Huntingdon: Developing a new extrusion line.

Princes, Long Sutton: Rain Water Systems Rehydrators.

Mahle Powertrain, Wellingborough: Machine availability project.

PCME, St Ives: Optimizing facilities and processes to respond to substantial demand growth.

Warren Services, Thetford: Improving material procurement process

Rolls Royce, Bristol: Replacing written maintenance instructions with digital systems.

MK Electric, Southend: Automation feasibility study.

Renishaw, Stone: Additive manufacturing systems analysis.

Laing O'Rourke, Steetley: Automation design solution for wall finishing.

SMC Pneumatics, Milton Keynes: Actuator design and assembly.

Melton Foods, Melton Mowbray: Investigation of upgrade to business systems.

Siemens Turbomachinery, Lincoln: Predicting yield and improving machine load estimation during engine refurbishment.