Operations

Excellence
MSc course
For professionals in industry
Part-time
Executive Manufacturing MSc programme

2015-2016

www.cranfield.ac.uk/opex
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The Operations Excellence course has been ideal to complement my current

knowledge and experience at the workplace. It has provided me with the
appropriate tools and theory that I have managed to exercise in my day to
day job. As a result of it I have managed to create invaluable benefit to the
company whilst enhancing my career at the same time.

Riyami Mohamed, Management Assistant to the COO of Rolls-Royce Marine
Operations Excellence MSc
Operations Excellence is a world-leading programme developed by Cranfield
University through a unique partnership with Rolls-Royce and the Institute for
Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge. The course has been designed
to enhance the skills of professionals leading the development of all aspects
of operational development both internally and externally. It develops skills
and knowledge required to lead the implementation of change in business.
This course addresses the need for highly trained operations professionals
required to transform operations into a world-class business in all sectors of
manufacturing business.

Operations Excellence Institute Industry input

The Executive MSc programme uses facilities available through
our Operations Excellence Institute. The Institute aims to enhance
learning and teaching in through-life operations through novel
approaches, to engage students with the design and delivery
of the learning and to expand knowledge exchange activities of
Cranfield University through clustering and collaboration with small
manufacturing companies. The Institute hosts a state of the art
simulation and visualisation laboratory along with an advanced
collaboration environment with robot based telepresence.
Business benefits
Management in the manufacturing sector requires specialised
skills. In a competitive environment, companies seek out
streamlined processes to enable them to be more efficient,
improve quality and drive cost reductions. Cranfield University
brings together expertise across several disciplines to inform
industry and help companies stay ahead of their competitors.
Lecturers have worked in industry themselves and have actual
experience of leading productivity improvements.
Students learn from other cohort members, from industry
practitioners and from developing solutions to individual issues
through group and individual projects. These industry experts
teach alongside academics from Cranfield and Cambridge
who have a wealth of experience in operations excellence. The
course is regularly scrutinised by an advisory panel of leading
professionals from industry to ensure the content is up-to-date
and meets the needs of employers.
Industry sponsored project work
Industrially supported and relevant project work undertaken
represents 60% of the total study time. It enables delegates to
apply the knowledge and skills learnt from the taught element
of the course and put them into practice. Projects are chosen
to ensure delegates are able to relate the content directly to the
performance of the business and its future success. The individual
thesis work is particularly focused on the delegates company with
critical thinking encouraged and supported by thought leaders
from the university.

The theory and extensive practical application places

manufacturing managers in a position where they can
implement change to achieve:
Examples of group project work
Revenue growth Weetabix: Optimisation of combined heat and power plant
Increased profits Linx: Development of a new manufacturing facility
Increased market share Rolls-Royce plc: Evaluation of engine assembly methods
Innovation capability
NCT Leather: Maximising manufacturing capability
Career prospects
Individuals selected to participate in this programme will
be equipped to deliver significant business benefits to their
organisation. In addition, the greater depth and breadth of skills
gained will enable graduates to progress to more senior roles
in the future. Students benefit from career enhancements
throughout their studies. Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and
Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for meeting the further
www.cranfield.ac.uk/opex learning requirements for Chartered Engineer registration.
MSc course modules
Effective Factories
This module provides the knowledge and skills required to design
effective manufacturing systems and their supply chains.
Business and Manufacturing
Strategy (Cambridge)
This module is held at the Institute of Manufacturing, University
of Cambridge, It provides an overview of the main established
business and functional strategy frameworks and the critical
capability of analysing and developing strategies.
Management Accounting
and Human Resource
Management
This module provides an understanding of management
accounting principles, cost engineering methods, management
styles, team roles and organisational cultures.
Innovation Management
This module focusses on innovation management implementation
within industry, introducing current tools and techniques used for
improving innovation performance.
Manufacturing and Study
Tour
This is an opportunity to visit a diverse range of manufacturing
companies to understand issues associated with implementing
operations excellence in a wide range of businesses in different
size companies.
The MSc Operations Excellence, whilst academic, is relevant to
operations in the real world and creates a positive and sustainable
connection between operations and the larger business and
corporate levels. Weetabix now has a more rounded employee with
a more holistic view of the role operations plays within Weetabix.
Wayne Thornton, Head of Performance Management, Weetabix
Technology Management
(Cambridge)
This module is held at the Institute of Manufacturing, University
of Cambridge, it provides students with an understanding of the
principles and practice of technology management.
Production Planning and
Control
This is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and
methodologies of production management.
Manufacturing Assessment
and Improvement
This provides the knowledge and techniques needed for the
assessment and improvement of manufacturing systems.
Realising Competitive
Manufacture
This module provides an understanding of the role of the
manufacturing function within the wider context, and to develop
skills in the design and realisation of competitive manufacturing
strategies.
Iforchose the Operations Excellence course
its reputation. Cranfield has a history
of delivering great leadership courses for
industry. The course is not just academic,
you can actually demonstrate the principles
through frameworks and tools. The course
also enables you to develop a holistic view
rather than just focussing on day-to-day
activities. I would thoroughly recommend
the course it gives you a freshness on
your return to work to think about things
differently and change things for the better.
Marc Smoczyk, Operations Manager, Rolls-Royce plc
 Apply now
T: +44 (0) 1234 758008
E: p.mclaughlin@cranfield.ac.uk
www.cranfield.ac.uk/opex

Course information
MSc structure Entry requirements
The course comprises an induction Candidates must possess or be expected Study options
week, a series of taught modules, a to achieve a 1st or 2nd class UK honours Part-time study allows you to fit your studies
manufacturing study tour, a group project degree or equivalent in a relevant around your existing life and work commitments,
and an individual thesis project. The three discipline. Where applicable students so you can gain a postgraduate qualification
elements of the course are assessed as must achieve a minimum IELTS score of while continuing your career. Projects can be
follows: 6.5. Other relevant qualifications together undertaken with your organisation offering
with considerable industrial experience additional benefits to your employer.
Taught Modules 40% may be considered.
The modules include lectures and
tutorials, and are assessed through In order to undertake this programme
written examinations and assignments. you will need the support of your
These provide the knowledge and skills employer or sponsoring company.
for the group and individual projects.
The University of Cambridge delivers
Funding
two modules, namely on Strategy and
The RAES Bursary Fund is applicable for Employees of the following
this course.
Technology Management. organisations have studied
www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding
Group Project 20%
on the Operations Excellence
The group project gives a team of How to find us programme:
students the opportunity to take on
responsibility for a consultancy type BAE Systems Rolls-Royce plc
project working for an industrial sponsor.
Note: A dissertation can replace the Boeing Selex ES
group project. Eatoninx Siemens
Individual Project 40% NCT Leather Weetabix
Birmingham
The individual project allows students to
demonstrate their ability to think and work 55 mins Cranfield Nestl Xaar
in an original way and overcome genuine Milton
Keynes
35 mins Birmingham
NORDAM
real life challenges. It will be a project for Milton
Cranfield

Keynes

the company you are working for. London London

Duration
MSc: Part-time 2 years.
35 minutes from London to Milton Keynes by train
55 minutes from Birmingham to Milton Keynes by train

Cranfield University
Cranfield is an exclusively postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology
and management. Our world class academics and exceptional facilities combine to create a high-tech campus that is located in the
Bedfordshire countryside, yet close to vibrant towns. As one of the UKs top five research intensive universities, we are world-leading
in our contribution to global innovation.Courses are career-focused and are constantly updated with input from Industry Advisory
Panels to ensure they meet the needs of employers, making Cranfield the ideal destination for advancing your career.
Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) is a Cranfield School based at the Ministry of Defence establishment on the Oxfordshire/
Wiltshire borders. Shrivenham itself lies in the picturesque Vale of the White Horse, close to the M4 motorway which links London
and South Wales. It is 7 miles from Swindon, the nearest town, which lies off the M4 at the hub of Britains motorway network. Bath,
Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are all within an hours drive and London less than two hours away by car.

www.cranfield.ac.uk/opex Information correct at time of printing

2014 version 5