Military Vehicle Technology MSc/PgCert/PgDip:
Course Description:
This course provides education and training in military vehicle systems. The course is intended for officers of the armed forces and for scientists and technical officers in government defence establishments and the defence industry. It is particularly suitable for those who, in their subsequent careers, will be involved with the specification, analysis, development, technical management or operation of military vehicles.
It will provide students with the technical knowledge and understanding of weapon systems and military vehicles to make them effective in their specification, design, development and assessment.
The course is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and will contribute towards an application for chartered status.
Start Months:
September
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time/Part-time
School:
CDS
Theme:
Defence and Security
Entry Requirements:
A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) ideally in a related subject. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director. For further and specific information please visit the course page.
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. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows:
IELTS - 6.5
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.
Duration:
Full-time MSc - one year, Part-time MSc - up to three years, Full-time PgCert - one year, Part-time PgCert - two years, Full-time PgDip - one year, Part-time PgDip - two years
(For MOD status students the duration may vary, subject to annual review.)
Course format:
Overview:
This course provides education and training in military vehicle systems, offering students an understanding of the technologies used in the specification, design, development and assessment of weapon systems and military vehicles. Both armoured and support vehicles are covered within the course.
Who is it for?:
This course offers the underpinning knowledge and education to enhance the student’s suitability for senior positions within their organisation.
The course is intended for officers of the armed forces and for scientists and technical officers in government defence establishments and the defence industry. It is particularly suitable for those who, in their subsequent careers, will be involved with the specification, analysis, development, technical management or operation of military vehicles.
Why this course?:
Each individual module is designed and offered as a standalone course which allows an individual to understand the fundamental technology required to efficiently perform the relevant, specific job responsibilities. The course also offers a critical depth to undertake engineering analysis or the evaluation of relevant sub systems.
Informed by Industry:
The Industrial Advisory Panel is made up of experienced engineers from within the MoD, UK and international defence industry.
Your teaching team:
- Prof Amer Hameed
- Dr Shaun Forth
- Mr Rick Adcock
- Dr David Purdy
- Dr Hugh Goyder
- Dr Clare Knock
- Mr David Simner
- Mr Steve Champion
- Dr John Economou
- Prof Ian Horsfall
- Mr David Diskett
- Dr Chris Couldrick
- Debra Carr
Accreditation:
The course is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and will contribute towards an application for chartered status.
Course details:
This course is made up of two essential components: the equivalent of 12 taught modules (including some double modules, typically of a two week duration), and an individual project. The aim of the project phase is to enable students to develop expertise in engineering research, design or development.
The project phase requires a thesis to be submitted and is worth 80 credit points. Earning the appropriate credits can lead to the following academic awards: Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) – building a total of 60 credits / Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) – two optional modules (120 credits) / Master of Science (MSc) – all modules (120 credits) plus project (80 credits).
Individual project:
In addition to the taught part of the course, students undertake an individual project. The aim of the project phase is to enable students to develop expertise in engineering research, design or development. The project phase requires a thesis to be submitted and is worth 80 credit points.
Examples of current titles are given below:
- Use of Vibration Absorber to help in Vibration
- Validated Model of UGV Power Usage
- Effect of Ceramic Tile Spacing in Lightweight Armour systems
- Investigation of Suspension System for Main Battle Tank
- An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation into a Pivot Adjustable Suspension System as a Low Cost Method of Adjusting for Payload
- Analysis of Amphibious Operation and Waterjet Propulsions for Infantry Combat Vehicle
- Optimisation of the suspension system for a vehicle
- Analysis of the off-road performance of a wheeled or tracked vehicle.
Assessment:
Continuous assessment, examinations and thesis (MSc only). Approximately 10-15% of the assessment is by examination
Core modules:
- Introductory Studies
- Solid Modelling CAD
- Finite Element Methods in Engineering
- Modelling, Simulation and Control
- Weapon System Technology
- Survivability
- Vehicle Systems Integration
- Armoured Fighting Vehicle and Weapon Systems Study
- Military Vehicle Dynamics
- Military Vehicle Propulsion
Optional
- Fundamentals of Ballistics
- Military Vehicle Propulsion and Dynamics
- Gun System Design
- Element Design
- Guided Weapons
- Uninhabited Military Vehicle Systems
- Reliability and System Effectiveness
- Light Weapon Design
- Rocket Motors and Propellants
Fees and funding:
Home EU Student Fees:
- MSc Full-time £30,500
- MSc Part-time £30,500 *
- PgDip Full-time £20,800
- PgDip Part-time £20,800 *
- PgCert Full-time £10,400
- PgCert Part-time £10,400 *
Oversees Fees:
- MSc Full-time £30,500
- MSc Part-time £30,500 *
- PgDip Full-time £20,800
- PgDip Part-time £20,800 *
- PgCert Full-time £10,400
- PgCert Part-time £10,400 *
* Students will be offered the option of paying the full fee up front, or to pay in four equal instalments at six month intervals (i.e. the full fee to be paid over the first two years of their registration).
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged and can be found below.
- 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.
Security clearance for Shrivenham:
Some Cranfield University courses are delivered at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham which is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site. All applicants to courses that are wholly or partially delivered at Shrivenham must complete the BPSS (HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard V4 April 2014) prior to registration on the course or must already hold a security clearance to this level or higher.
Your application and BPSS clearance application will be shared during the application process with the MOD who have ultimate discretion over whether to admit applicants to the Shrivenham site. This information will be returned by the MOD to Cranfield University after checks are completed and no copies will be retained by the MOD.
BPSS checks may involve confirmation of the following:
- Identity (e.g. Photo ID)
- Nationality and Immigration Status
- Employment/Academic History (covering the past 3 years)
- Criminal record (unspent convictions only)
- Additionally, applicants are required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time spent abroad.
This may be revised from time to time dependent on national security requirements. For more details, please consult the BPSS Guidance.
It will take additional time to process your BPSS clearance application once you have completed your course application.
Inability to access the Shrivenham site as a result of failure to meet security clearance requirements will result in a withdrawal of offer, or, if already registered, a termination of registration.
Your career:
Many previous students have returned to their sponsor organisations to take-up senior programme appointments and equivalent research and development roles in this technical area.