Transport Systems MSc
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): January 2024 / September 2024; January 2025
- Duration: One year full-time (15 months for January starters) or two years full-time with a placement.
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich / January start (Postgraduate)
- Campus: Clifton Campus
-
Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
The evolving transport sector presents exciting career opportunities for future engineers. Our MSc will allow you to learn more about how technology is shaping the way we move people and goods in society and apply principles of engineering, design, sustainability and human factors to transport systems.
You will be taught across different disciplines that underpin modern transport systems thinking and will have the opportunity to apply knowledge to real-world problems and hear directly from the industry via talks and visits.
We will be seeking accreditation from the CILT or CIHT for this course.
-
You’ll benefit from excellent teaching. We are in the top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in general engineering (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023). -
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) we’re proud that 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
What you’ll study
You will work in groups during lab exercises for some of the modules and on individual projects, especially during the individual industrial or engineering research project. You can work on (live) projects during all modules as part of training and formative assessment. Below is an overview of the areas you will cover.
- Existing concepts and emerging technologies and proposals across the transport infrastructure, analysing barriers to uptake across different factors, including cost, human factors, regulations and policy.
- The importance of the user within transport, their interaction and experience across different transport systems.
- Transport modelling simulations and analysis.
- Control systems and their effectiveness on transport systems.
- Design to Market: ethical concerns, regulatory factors, lifecycle management, end-of-life destinations.
- Energy Solutions and Management: electricity generation, distribution, use, storage and consumption
- Capstone Individual project conducted with an industry or research partner.
Fundamentals of Transport Systems
This module will introduce you to the principles of the Transport System and outline how the other modules will integrate within the course, and give you an understanding of the need for depth in associated modules. This module will help you to consolidate and integrate knowledge/methods to obtain a wider systems approach to Transport.
Transport Systems and Control
This module will introduce you to Traffic Control Systems, Traffic Information Systems, Traffic Modelling and Communication for Transport Systems, focusing on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. You will develop an understanding of Information flows for Transport Systems Control and get hands-on experience with simulation and modelling exercises.
Human Factors Engineering
This module will give you an understanding of the fundamentals of human factors and ergonomics in engineering, considering the details of human cognitive and physical performance capabilities.
Design to Market
This module will explore current product case studies to understand the process from design concept to prototype and onward to product manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
Sustainable Energy Management
This module will explore engineering solutions for sustainably managing energy systems. You will develop an understanding of technologies for improving the efficiency of electrical power systems, including electricity generation, distribution, and consumption and discuss technological solutions for mitigating the detrimental impacts of power generation.
Research Methods
The research methods elements of this module will focus on literature searching and critical reviewing strategies, ethical considerations, research design, sampling and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques using applicable software tools.
Individual Industrial or Research Project
This module is the “capstone” project in which you will combine the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed. You will investigate an engineering problem, implement solutions, critically evaluate and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage. The CPD component of this module will inform your learning journey throughout your MSc and after.
How you’re taught
This programme is delivered by a combination of:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars and Tutorials
- Project Work
- Case studies
- Oral presentations
- Workshops
- Laboratory assessments and reports
- Industry Visit / lectures
You will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams.
Contact hours
Lectures / seminars / workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
How you’re assessed
Coursework (69%), written (18%) and practical (13%)
Careers and employability
Mentoring and support
All students will be allocated a personal tutor throughout their course of study in order to provide pastoral support. Each module will provide students with the opportunity to engage with specialist lecturers via seminars and project work, allowing them to explore knowledge they are applying to assignments and topical discussion points.
All staff members teaching on the programme are members of professional institutions and most are active researchers, with many undertaking industrial consultancy.
Your future
There will be opportunities within the Department and across the University to engage in projects / opportunities that will bring you into direct contact with industry partners. Some of these will be part of your course content, while students are encouraged to engage with external activities.
Students may also wish to study further at the doctoral level in the area.
Placement
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
This course offers you the opportunity to take a one-year placement if you start in September and nine months if you start in January. With placement, the course will be a total of two years of full-time study.
The school of Science and Technology will work closely with you to help you find a placement and strengthen your CV and interview techniques. During the placement year, an academic member of staff will visit to check on your progress and offer any advice. On completion of the placement year, students will submit a placement report and continue back at NTU for three months during which time they will complete their research project.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You will have access to a range of first-class facilities and equipment at the School of Science and Technology. You will also have access to specialist facilities in our engineering building:
- Vehicles Laboratory
- Human Factors Laboratory
- Smart Wireless Innovation Facility
Entry requirements
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in an Engineering degree or a related BEng / BSc discipline such as Engineering, Geography, Mathematics, Computer Science or another relevant subject.
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You will need:
- A UK honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in an Engineering degree or a related BEng / BSc discipline such as Engineering, Geography, Mathematics, Computer Science or another relevant subject.
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
For guidance, course fees for September 2023 and January 2024 are:
| Study route | UK | International / EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,300* | £16,800* |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,300 + £1,850 | £16,800 + £1,850 |
* For January study please check your student visa regulations as this is a 15-month course full-time.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and living costs page and our funding page will answer all your questions.
Scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Alumni discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service at +44 (0)115 848 2494. For scholarship help please contact us at +44 (0)115 848 4460.
For guidance, course fees for September 2023 and January* 2024 are:
| Study route | UK | International / EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,300 | £16,800 |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,300 + £1,850 | £16,800 + £1,850 |
* For January study please check your student visa regulations and funding as this is a 15-month course full-time or 27 months full-time with a placement.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have the offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised