Mon, 19 August, 2024
Considering a master’s degree and worried about balancing your work life?
A part-time master offers a flexible path to career development. In this article, we will explore 5 reasons that make part-time masters an excellent choice for working professionals who are seeking to enhance their skills and expand career opportunities.
In recent years, mechanical engineering has seen significant advancements driven by innovation, sustainability and digital transformation, as well as by the technology shifts towards AI, robotics, automation, renewable energies, green building, and digital twin.
For businesses to remain competitive, engineers need to develop skills, such as research and innovation, collaboration, sustainability design, advanced manufacturing and analytics, to address potential challenges.
Mechanical engineers are no strangers to the relentless pace of technological change and balance demanding projects with staying updated on the latest software and industry trends.
To aid their career development, many opt for professional learning that compliments their careers, and a great option is a part-time masters (MSc) which offers an up-to-date curriculum. However, it is important to find the right programme that focuses on your area of interest, and provides a flexible learning pathway to advance your career without sacrificing your current role.
NSRIC’s part-time Master of Research in Mechanical Engineering goes a step further than most degrees of its kind. Designed by industry, it will equip you with the research skills needed to tackle industrial challenges by combining academic with practical application. This programme ensures you stay at the forefront of innovation.
Here is why you should consider a Part-time MScR in Engineering:
- Career Acceleration and CPD Credits
Rapid industry and job market changes have created a need for engineers to acquire advanced skills and knowledge to gain a competitive edge and position themselves for leadership roles. Our part-time masters degree will help you learn highly sought-after and industry-specific skills as well as knowledge that employers are looking for.
In addition, enrolling in the programme demonstrates your commitment to personal growth and professional development..
It will also allow you to build a network by working with like-minded people, and meet industrial professionals, academics and fellow students with varied industrial backgrounds, through guest lectures, workshops and networking events.
Additionally, if you have cumulated CPD credits, you can utilise them to fast-track the degree’s coursework requirement and start working on a research project. Meaning, you can complete the research work remotely.
- Flexible learning environment
The part-time MScR students benefit from the flexibility to fulfil their ambition and commitment to continuous learning while working full time, ensuring work-life balance. This master's can be completed in two years through part-time study, with the option to extend the duration as needed. Additionally, the applicants can shorten the duration by utilising CDP credits, modules varied based on specialisation areas. This flexibility accommodates working professionals by offering options for varied completion durations and options for remote research.
- Practical research skill
The programme will help develop, practice and refine your critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis and research skills through a research-intensive degree.
In addition, it allows you to tailor your research project to your current role or company's needs. This means you will have the opportunity to apply newfound knowledge and research to solve real-world problems.
These transferable skills are suitable for both research-oriented careers and multiple positions in the engineering field. In addition, it will help you drive innovation within your organisation and contribute to the advancement in your field.
Not only that, our MScR provides the opportunity to have mentorships/expert insight from both industry and academic professionals to ensure your work stays relevant and addresses key industry challenges.
- Fund your learning
One of the major concerns of working professionals is the financial burden. The MScR course helps address this concern by offering two prestigious scholarships worth £15000 (subject to approval), including the NSIRC Industry Scholarships £10000 and Brunel University's Vice Chancellor Excellence Award £5000. The deadline to apply is 31 August 2024. The scholarship will be used toward tuition fee payment for the first year of the study. The applicant will be automatically considered upon meeting the eligibility criteria minimum 2:1 and above internationally recognised undergrad degree, having an offer from the Brunel to study a postgraduate course, etc.
In addition, there is a Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship available which offers a 15% discount on tuition fees and requires no form submission. Once you apply for the programme, you will be automatically considered for the award as per the eligibility criteria. For Brunel Alumni, there is a Brunel Graduate Discount which reduces the fees by 15%, applicable on the postgraduate and postgraduate research courses. Terms and conditions apply.
- Pathway to PhD
One of the notable benefits of enrolling in a research-based programme is developing a strong foundation for a PhD and transitioning seamlessly to the doctoral programme upon completing the MScR project.
Visit NSIRC website to learn more about the part-time master's programme and the specialisation fields offered in mechanical engineering.
Boost career with flexible and part-time Master's in Mechanical Engineering. Photo: Unsplash