Welcome to the MSc Advanced Manufacturing Systems & Technologies programme at Canterbury Christ Church University. My name is Dr Ghazal Sheikholeslami, Course Director for the programme, and I look forward to meeting you during induction week and your first teaching sessions. Advanced manufacturing is rapidly transforming industries through technologies such as metal and non-metal laser processing, metal and non-metal additive manufacturing, industry 4.0/5.0 and smart production systems, creating exciting opportunities for engineers with innovative thinking, technical expertise and practical skills.

Ghazal Sheikholeslami
Course Director

Welcome and Induction

The first time you will join us will be during Welcome Week from 14 - 18 September 2026.

Your Welcome Week is an essential introduction to your course and the wider University, helping you to feel confident and prepared for your studies right from the very start.

It is important to check your Course Welcome Week for all the activities you are required to attend as part of your course induction.

On a mobile device, click the arrow next to “Search” at the top right of the page to view your timetable. 

View your Course Welcome and Induction timetable

In addition, check the Student Events Hub for a range of fun activities including the Students’ Union Welcome Fair, to help you make friends and live your best CCCU student life.

Your Teaching Timetable

Teaching for your course will begin w.c 21 September 2026.

To help you plan your first few weeks, you can view an overview of the teaching activities for your course.

View your first trimester teaching timetable.

On a mobile device, click the arrow next to “Search” at the top right of the page to view your timetable.

If your course is taught in groups, the overview will show activities for all groups. You will only need to attend sessions for your allocated group.

Once teaching begins, your individual timetable and group allocation will be available in MyTimetable provided you have completed online registration and created your computing account.

Your Trimester 1 Modules

Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Technology

Engineering Analysis and Simulation Methods

Key dates

Academic Calendar: Trimesters [15 Week]

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2025-26 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays.

Welcome

Welcome to the MSc Advanced Manufacturing Systems & Technologies course. 

We look forward to meeting you for the first time during Welcome Week from 14 - 18 September 2026. 

Teaching for the course will then begin from week commencing 21 September 2026.

Getting started

Your Course​​

During your first trimester (September - January), you will study:

  • Advanced Manufacturing Systems and Technology
  • Engineering Analysis and Simulation Methods

These modules will introduce you to modern manufacturing technologies, including laser processing, Industry 4.0/5.0 concepts, smart manufacturing systems, engineering analysis and simulation methods relevant to advanced industrial applications.

Each module is worth 30 credits, with students completing a total of 60 credits per trimester.

Teaching

​Teaching throughout the programme will include a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions, workshops, seminars and practical activities delivered both on campus and through digital learning platforms. Module leaders and teaching teams will introduce themselves during your first teaching sessions and provide guidance on module expectations, assessments and learning activities.

Blackboard

​Blackboard will be used as the main virtual learning environment for accessing lecture materials, assessment information, announcements, timetables and module resources. You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with Blackboard and other university systems before teaching begins to help you prepare for your studies.

Your first few weeks

During the first few weeks of the course, you will be introduced to the programme structure, laboratory facilities, software packages, academic expectations and postgraduate study skills, while also beginning practical and theoretical learning activities linked to advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0/5.0, additive manufacturing and engineering simulation.

​The programme has a strong practical and hands-on focus, giving students opportunities to work with a range of advanced laboratory equipment and manufacturing technologies throughout their studies.

You will have access to different types of laser systems, additive manufacturing technologies and manufacturing machines for laboratory-based learning, experimentation and practical activities. Teaching is designed to combine theoretical understanding with applied engineering practice to help students develop industry-relevant technical skills and experience.

​Assessment across the programme is varied and designed to reflect real-world engineering practice. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, technical reports, presentations, practical activities, projects and applied assignments, with only one written examination across the programme.

To help you prepare

​Before starting the course, you are encouraged to explore the Learning Skills Hub and complete any available study skills, academic writing, referencing and digital skills resources that may support postgraduate learning.

You should have regular access to a laptop suitable for engineering software, online learning and report writing.

Specialist engineering software required for the programme will be provided by the university, with access available both on campus and remotely/off campus where applicable.

Further guidance on software installation, access and any additional equipment requirements will be provided during induction and the first teaching sessions.

Your Must Do Tasks

Once you have been invited to register for your course, there are some key tasks you'll need to complete to make sure you are ready to become a CCCU student. 

Registration invitations are sent towards the end of August. We'll send yours to the email address you used when you applied, so please check this inbox regularly to make sure you don't miss any important information.

Pre-course reading

Here is an indicative reading list prior to starting the course:

  • ​​Steen, W.M. and Mazumder, J., 2021. Laser material processing. springer science & business media

  • ​DebRoy, T., Wei, H.L., Zuback, J.S., et al., 2018. “Additive manufacturing of metallic components – Process, structure and properties.” Progress in Materials Science, 92, pp.112–224.

  • ​Additive Manufacturing Technologies – Gibson, I., Rosen, D. and Stucker, B., 2021. 3rd Edition. Springer.

  • ​Xu, X., Lu, Y., Vogel-Heuser, B. and Wang, L., 2021. “Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0—Inception, conception and perception.” Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 61, pp.530–535.

  • ​ From Industry 4.0 digital manufacturing to Industry 5.0 digital society: A roadmap toward human-centric, sustainable, and resilient production. Information Systems Frontiers, pp.1-33. Ghobakhloo, M., Mahdiraji, H.A., Iranmanesh, M. and Jafari-Sadeghi, V., 2024.

  • ​Advances in CAD/CAM/CAE Technologies – Kyratsis, P., Kakoulis, K. and Markopoulos, A.P., 2020. MDPI AG.

  • ​Kurowski, P., 2022. Finite Element Analysis for Design Engineers. SAE International.

​Suggested Journal Sources

  • ​Students may also find the following journals useful throughout the programme:
  • ​Additive Manufacturing
  • ​Journal of Manufacturing Processes
  • ​Journal of Materials Processing Technology
  • ​The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  • ​Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
  • ​Journal of Manufacturing Systems

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.

Contact details