Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
2.5–3 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

Course code: E22

Combine modules from engineering analysis and technology management to shape a qualification that suits your career aspirations. You’ll broaden and deepen your understanding of professional engineering, and work collaboratively on a project. The diploma is a step to Chartered Engineer status and is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of the MSc.

  • Develops advanced engineering, project management, communication and teamwork skills
  • Includes group project work with other students (usually at a residential school)
  • The opportunity to top up to the MSc in Engineering in just one more year

This postgraduate diploma is the same as the first two-thirds of our MSc in Engineering (F46).

Course type
Diploma
Credits
120

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
2.5–3 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method
Distance learning
Course cost
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements

How to register

Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 120 credits as follows:

30 credits from List A:

Module Credits Next start
Finite element analysis: principles and applications (T808) NEW

Learn the basics of finite element modelling of components and materials under static and thermal stresses, and dynamic analysis using ANSYS software.

See full description

Register
30 01 Nov 2024
Manufacture materials design (T805)

Introducing materials processing from the perspective of a design engineer, this module explores how components are made, focusing on the interactions between manufacturing, materials and design.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T804, T881 and T884

60 credits from List B:
Module Credits Next start
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820)

M820 Calculus of Variations and Advanced Calculus covers functionals, Gâteaux differential, Euler–Lagrange equation, First-integral, Noether’s Theorem, Second variation/Jacobi equation and Sturm–Liouville systems.

See full description

Register
30 05 Oct 2024
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)

This engaging online module will equip you with information on monitoring, modelling, and preventive technologies for water, noise, air, and wastes pollution.

See full description

Register
30 01 Nov 2024
Finite element analysis: principles and applications (T808) NEW

Learn the basics of finite element modelling of components and materials under static and thermal stresses, and dynamic analysis using ANSYS software.

See full description

Register
30 01 Nov 2024
Making environmental decisions (T891)

This module teaches you to use a systems framework to integrate environment with other considerations when making decisions in complex environmental management situations.

See full description

Register
30 01 Nov 2024
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)

TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)

This module is about effecting systemic and systematic change in uncertain and complex situations, change that can transform situations for the better.

See full description

Register
30 01 Nov 2024
Manufacture materials design (T805)

Introducing materials processing from the perspective of a design engineer, this module explores how components are made, focusing on the interactions between manufacturing, materials and design.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Project management (M815)

This APM accredited module is ideal for aspiring project managers and practising project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849)

This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Sustainable organisations: theory and practice (T892)

This module provides the background knowledge and a practical skill-set to lead the way in transforming or creating sustainable organisations of the future.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Technology innovation management (TB801)

This module examines innovation from a management perspective, enabling you to develop an understanding of how to contribute to the process and management of technological innovation.

See full description

Register
30 01 May 2024
Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326) 1

Learn about modelling simple fluid flows, ordinary and partial differential equations and mathematical methods that can be used to solve fluid-flow problems.

See full description

30 05 Oct 2024
Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327) 1

This module covers core topics in the application of mathematics and is an accessible introduction to the study of applied mathematics at OU level 3.

See full description

30 05 Oct 2024
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T804, T846, T848, T867, T881, TU811 and TU812.
You may choose only one of these two modules. While the 30 credits you achieve will contribute to the 120 credits required for this qualification, the grade you get won’t contribute to the overall classification.

30 credits from:

Module Credits Next start
Team engineering (T885) 2

This module provides an opportunity for you to explore an engineering problem in-depth, working as part of a small team.

See full description

Register
30 13 Sep 2024
To begin T885, you must have completed all other modules in this qualification.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes.

Credit transfer

If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards this Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible as it may affect your choice of OU modules. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.


On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Dip (Eng) (Open) after your name.

If your diploma is awardable with a distinction or a merit, the qualification regulations explain how you can achieve these.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering to our MSc in Engineering (F46).

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 


We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 19 March 2024.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

However, some option modules do have entry requirements. We’ll ask you to prove you meet them when you register for any of these modules:

Although this qualification has no entry requirements, we recommend you have:

Career relevance

This qualification will help you to develop your engineering skills, as well as a range of transferable skills, such as: the ability to use specialist knowledge to solve problems creatively; effective communication skills; project management skills; the ability to turn concepts into reality; a professional approach to your work.

The knowledge and practical experience you gain during your postgraduate studies mean you'll be well placed to take advantage of the many senior engineering and technology employment opportunities available at home and abroad. At the same time, you'll be developing capabilities that are highly prized by employers in a variety of other sectors, where your logical thinking, numeracy skills, and team working abilities will be in demand.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Request your prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

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