Course Summary
Providing professionals with knowledge in the principles and application of Smart Manufacturing for upskilling.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the
Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of
another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or
an approved alternative qualification; and
the qualification must be in the subject areas of Mechanical Engineering,
Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline;
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or
equivalent)
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements
• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country
Exemptions and transferability
Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award, at the highest level.
Application Details
Your Application
You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.
Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.
Start Date: September 2026.
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Smart Manufacturing is a rapidly developing field of study within both academia and industry. The PgCert Smart Manufacturing Systems aims to prepare students for a successful career as a modern manufacturing engineer where Industry 4.0 machine-to-machine (M2M) communication (products talk to machines) is producing large amounts of collected data, where analytics now plays a key role in understanding and modelling process improvements, alongside competitive demands within a global business context. Hence, there is a need for skills in industrial?robotics, intelligent automation, factory modelling and simulation, zero defect manufacturing with data analytics, and commercial awareness. These types of skills are typically in high demand in manufacturing industries from plastics, semiconductor to construction, as the sectors moves to Industry 4.0.
This programme of study is firmly based under the STEM umbrella and additionally due to the nature of the skills and knowledge developed during the programme, resulting graduates will have the potential to be employed across a spectrum of industries which will address the skills shortage in smart manufacturing capabilities.
Successful students from this course would be eligible to the MSc version of the Smart Manufacturing Systems course. There is currently an extensive demand for engineering graduates, particularly those with the high-level skills to develop and operate smart factories, which will be provided by this course.
Duration
Beginning in September, the certificate will normally be completed in two semesters across a single academic year. Each lecture will be hosted at the Magee campus.
Students are expected to attend all classes associated with the programme and be punctual and regular in attendance.
A student who has not been in attendance for more than three days through illness or other cause must notify immediately the Course Director. The student shall state the reasons for the absence and whether it is likely to be prolonged. Where the absence is for a period of more than five working days, and is caused by illness which may affect their studies, the student shall provide appropriate medical certification in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.
Students who are absent without good cause for a substantial proportion of classes may be required to discontinue studies, in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.