Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate
Year of entry 2023
- Start dates
- January 2023
- March 2023
- May 2023
- July 2023
- September 2023
- November 2023
- Delivery type
- Online exclusive
- Duration
- 8 months part time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree in engineering, physical sciences or a related engineering or technological discipline where relevant subject areas have been studied.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component
- Online learning fees
- See fees section below
- Accredited
- Yes
Course overview

The online Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate is both a gateway to the online Engineering Management MSc and an award in its own right. This Level 7 qualification, like our Masters degree has been designed by engineers, for engineers, to meet the needs of a growing management skills gap in the industry.
The Postgraduate Certificate pathway provides a strong foundation for further development of your leadership-level expertise. You’ll study three compulsory modules and one optional module of the Engineering Management Masters and exit with the Postgraduate Certificate award, or continue to complete the full MSc.
These modules are designed to equip you with the skills and confidence needed for effective business planning, helping you develop your engineering management career options.
Why engineering management?
If you are an engineer looking to accelerate your career opportunities, but don’t have the option to commit to a full Masters degree, this course is for you. The distance learning Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate has been designed to help you grasp key skills used every day by industry leaders. It is ideal if you are:
- In the initial stages of your career and looking to fast-track your progress.
- An ambitious professional with substantial industry experience.
- Have some management experience or new to a management role and looking to build your skills.
A global reputation for engineering
We are one of the top 100 universities in the world and ranked in the top 15 in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2023).
The distance learning Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate pathway is a result of an in-depth collaboration between high profile academics from four leading engineering schools:
- School of Civil Engineering - 2nd in the UK and 44th in the world (Guardian University Guide 2022, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
- School of Mechanical Engineering - 6th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022).
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering - Top 10 in the UK and top 100 globally (Complete University Guide 2022, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering - Top 5 in the UK for research quality and 97% of research activity is ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
Accreditation
Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
This award is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and is equivalent to a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.
CMI’s qualifications sit on the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Frameworks) and are recognised by the European Credit Framework. You will benefit from:
- Access to exclusive CMI networking events.
- Attending lectures from top level CMI industry-expert members.
- CMI Affiliate member status, giving you a host of additional benefits to support your development and employability.
- Opportunity to fast-track into the next stage of training to become a Chartered Manager.
Course details
Your distance learning Engineering Management Postgraduate Certificate will begin with a two-week online induction designed to prepare you for online learning at the University of Leeds, and to introduce the study skills you will need to successfully complete your degree.
The online course will then cover the three foundation modules that you’ll find on our Engineering Management Masters course plus a crucial project management module, providing an excellent groundwork for future growth. Learn about the significant role of innovation in engineering and build practical skills in business strategy, planning and project management specifically for the engineering sector.
Your foundation modules will introduce you to the strategic importance of innovation and help to lay the groundwork for your engineering-specific management skills. Our Managing Major Engineering Projects module will then expose you to strategic-level thinking, helping you to understand the broader business benefits of specific project management frameworks.
You can take the course at your own pace and adapt your studies to fit around your work and life commitments. To give you flexibility, it is possible to pause your studies and take them up again at a later point. You can complete the Postgraduate Certificate online in a minimum of eight months or a maximum of 16 months.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
Module Name | Credits |
---|---|
Innovation, Design and Creative Engineering | 15 |
Business Strategy for Engineers | 15 |
Enterprise and Business Planning | 15 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
Module Name | Credits |
---|---|
Managing Major Engineering Projects | 15 |
Continuous Improvement in Engineering Supply Chains | 15 |
Decision Making for Engineering Managers | 15 |
Emerging and Disruptive Technologies | 15 |
People and Organisational Performance in Engineering | 15 |
Safety and Corporate Social Responsibility | 15 |
Learning and teaching
Join our powerful learning network
This comprehensive distance learning Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering Management will be delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva. You’ll be led by our module tutors in face-to-face sessions, both alone and with a group, joining a global learning network of like-minded engineers.
Collaborate, share your knowledge and learn directly from our experienced module tutors. You can even develop your academic relationships and network with peers in our virtual social spaces, giving you a global business advantage.
Introducing Minerva
Social learning is at the heart of your learning experience, with interactive and collaborative activities embedded into every module of this course. It’s what brings your online learning experience to life through:
- synchronous and asynchronous video lessons
- interactive surveys, tests, polls and exercises
- weekly live tutorials with classmates and academics
- group projects and discussion boards
- individual access to reading and study resources
- flexible study sessions to allow you to join at any time that suits you.
Minerva can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection and is mobile friendly, so you can study on the go around your existing work and life commitments. You can also benefit from downloadable PDFs on course content for offline reading when required.
Learn from industry-experienced engineers
You will be taught by experienced online learning tutors, drawing on expertise from our engineering schools.
Each week, you will have live face-to-face time with your module tutors in a mixture of structured and open-ended learning sessions. Every session will be offered twice, so you will be able to fit your study around your schedule.
Our faculty team are engaged with industry, private companies, and public research bodies, which helps ensure the skills that you are learning are the skills employers need.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods will emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. They will typically include:
- mini project reports
- group discussions and assignments
- live and/or pre-recorded presentations
- practical exercises based on real-world scenarios
- essays
- literature reviews
- multiple choice exams for formative learning feedback (no more than 5% of assessment).
Applying
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold a bachelor degree in engineering, physical sciences or a related engineering or technological discipline where relevant subject areas have been studied.
We will also consider applications from non-graduates if they have adequate and relevant professional qualifications. We welcome enquiries and applications from professionally qualified and experienced candidates (with at least three years’ work experience in an engineering environment) who don’t meet the formal requirements.
All applicants will need to have GCSE English language at grade C or above, or an appropriate equivalent English language qualification.
In exceptional circumstances applicants can provide alternative proof of English language proficiency rather than a standard English test. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You should discuss the criteria with your Enrolment Advisor to see if this can be considered.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
How to apply
Identification
The Digital Education Service requires all applicants to provide proof of their identity at the point of application. Accepted forms of ID are:
- Passport photo page, or
- Driving licence, or
- National identity card.
Deadlines
The deadline for applications to join each intake are outlined below:
- March 2023 start: application deadline is 7 February 2023.
- May 2023 start: application deadline is 11 April 2023.
- July 2023 start: application deadline is 6 June 2023.
- September 2023 start: application deadline is 8 August 2023.
- November 2023 start: application deadline is 3 October 2023.
- January 2024 start: application deadline is 5 December 2023.
All suitably qualified candidates will be interviewed by telephone or online as part of the selection process.
Applicants for Digital Education Service programmes should contact their Enrolment Advisor to find out more about the course, how to start the online application process and if applicants wish to change their start date after submitting an application.
Email studentenquiries.online@leeds.ac.uk.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Contact us
Enrolment Advisor team
Email: studentenquiries.online@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)113 341 1262
Fees
Fees for 2022/23 academic year of entry (1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023):
UK and International: £6,000
The fee is composed of:
- four taught modules (15 credits each): £1,500 per module
You will have the option to pay your fees on a module-by-module basis*. In this case your fee will be broken down into:
- four equal payments of £1,500
*If your fees are being paid directly to the University by your employer or sponsor you will not be able to pay on a module-by-module basis.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
Graduates of the University of Leeds (or an affiliated institution) are entitled to a 10% bursary towards tuition fees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.
Career opportunities
The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences maintains long-standing industry links with partners both in the UK and overseas. Through these partnerships, the faculty has identified demand within the global employment market for engineers with advanced management skills.
Graduates from the distance learning Engineering Management Masters will be perfectly equipped to step into roles as industry leaders. You will benefit from our links with industry and private companies to build market-ready expertise, ready to apply the latest management thinking.
Alumni of our engineering schools have gone on to positions with companies such as: Arup, KPMG, Laing O’Rourke, TATA Steel, BP, Rolls-Royce and AECOM.
Whether you are looking for progression within your company or simply to improve your management competency within your current role, you will be ready to step into a range of engineering career opportunities from Engineering Manager positions to Project Manager, Business Analyst and many more.
Careers support
Throughout your course, you will have access to a range of professional development support and activities. The Careers Service offers online support and resources including career planning, CV (Curriculum Vitae) guidance and interview/application skills, as well as providing access to our database of employer events. You will also be able to schedule one-to-one careers advice sessions through our e-Guidance service via telephone or Skype.
The Careers Service is a global platform that connects students, alumni, and employers from all around the world. Whether you are a current student or alumni, you can get access to professional development tools, regional knowledge, or industry insight through our network.
Request further information
Sign up for more information
Alumni profile: Sue Field
I found that having an engineering degree and experience was welcomed by clients and gave me an edge when competing for assignments.Find out more about Sue Field's time at Leeds