Course Description :
This course provides education and training in selected weapons 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 weapons systems.
The course is accredited by the Institution 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 unique MSc course covers the essential technology required for the participants to take a lead role within their organisation on the specification, design and development of gun systems.
Who is it for?:
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 weapons systems.
Why this course?:
The Gun System Design MSc is part of the Weapon and Vehicle Systems Engineering Programme. This course offers the underpinning knowledge and education to enhance the student’s suitability for senior positions within their organisation.
This course provides education and training in selected weapons systems and provides students with the depth of knowledge 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:
- Professor Amer Hameed
- Steve Champion
- Dr Chris Couldrick
- David Diskett
- Dr John Economou
- Dr Shaun Forth
- Dr Hugh Goyder
- Professor Ian Horsfall
- Dr Clare Knock
- Dr David Purdy
- David Simner
- Debra Carr
Accreditation:
The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and will contribute towards an application for chartered status.
Course details:
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.
This MSc 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. MSc and PGDip students take 11 compulsory modules and 1 optional module. PGCert students take 4 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules.
Group project:
Armoured Fighting Vehicle and Weapon Systems Study: To develop the technical requirements and characteristics of armoured fighting vehicles and weapon systems, and to examine the interactions between the various sub-systems and consequential compromises and trade-offs.
Individual project:
In addition to the taught part of the course, students can opt either to undertake an individual project or participate in a group design 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.
Assessment:
Continuous assessment, examinations and thesis (MSc only). Approximately 10-15% of the assessment is by examination.
Core modules:
- Element Design
- Fundamentals of Ballistics
- Finite Element Methods in Engineering
- Gun System Design
- Light Weapon Design
- Military Vehicle Propulsion and Dynamics
- Modelling, Simulation and Control
- Solid Modelling CAD
- Survivability
- Vehicle Systems Integration
- Optional
- Guided Weapons
- Military Vehicle Dynamics
- Reliability and System Effectiveness
- Uninhabited Military Vehicle Systems
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 *
Overseas 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 *
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.
