Contribute to the future of sustainable manufacturing by specialising in metal additive manufacturing processes, capabilities, system design and modelling. This MSc delivers the specialist knowledge, skills and experience required to work in this cutting-edge field, enabling you to become part of the bigger sustainability landscape.
Metal additive manufacturing holds the potential to revolutionise the way we manufacture products, reduce material waste, energy consumption, and transportation emissions, while also enabling the production of lightweight and complex parts that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. Metal AM technologies play an important role in improving the sustainability of a range of industries, including the production of lightweight parts in aerospace, automotive and medical industries. During the course, you will gain practical experience through assignments as well as group and individual projects carried out in close collaboration with leading industrial technology suppliers and end-users. Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, such as one of the world's largest metal 3D printers, will allow you to develop industry-relevant skills and contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable applications for this technology.Overview
- Start dateFull-time: October. Part-time: throughout the year
- DurationMSc: Full-time one year Part-time up to three years; PgDip: Full-time up to one year Part-time two years; PgCert: Full-time up to one year Part-time two years.
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
This MSc is for students with suitable backgrounds in science and engineering who are keen on learning new manufacturing technology. Typically, students hold degrees in subjects such as mechanical engineering, materials engineering and they may have work experience in different industries for several years.
Why this course?
Metal additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionise manufacturing by reducing material waste, increasing design freedom and providing the ability to produce complex parts that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional methods.
At ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, you will benefit from over 20 years’ experience in large-scale additive manufacturing of metallic structures on all fronts such as:
- Process design and modelling
- Incorporation of ancillary processes (cold work, metrology, inspection)
- Development of specialist hardware and CAM software
- Qualification of material properties and definition of design and manufacturing rules.
As a student, you will gain access to our state-of-the-art additive manufacturing facilities including Wire + Arc AM systems (based on robotic arms), CNC gantries, laser-wire additive manufacturing systems and powder-based systems. ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ also has one of the largest metal 3D printers ever made. This enables the production of metal parts at significantly reduced time and cost when compared to existing methods.
You will also get experience across a range of materials, including alloys such as titanium, aluminium, iron, nickel and copper-based systems as well as exotic elements such as tungsten, molybdenum, and tantalum.
The teaching and project work draws knowledge from a team of approximately 30 people, and you will have the chance to work on projects within the WAAMMat consortium. This currently includes 20 industry partners (including Airbus, BAE SYSTEMS, Lockheed Martin and more).
Discover the available to you as a student on this course.
Part-time route
We welcome students looking to enhance their career prospects whilst continuing in full-time employment. The part-time study option that we offer is designed to provide a manageable balance that allows you to continue employment with minimal disruption whilst also benefiting from the full breadth of learning opportunities and facilities available to all students. The University is very well located for visiting part-time students from all over the world and offers a range of library and support facilities to support your studies.
As a part-time student you will be required to attend teaching on campus in one-week blocks for three modules, while both in-person and distance learning options are available for other four modules. For a total of seven taught modules, six to be delivered in one week for each and one in two weeks, an overall duration that you are with us would normally be 2-3 years. Teaching blocks are typically run during the period from October to March, followed by independent study and project work where contact with your supervisors and cohort can take place in person or online. The project work could be also conducted in students’ companies or organisations, providing further study flexibility. Students looking to study towards the MSc will commence their studies in the October intake whereas students who opt for the research-based MSc by Research may commence either in October or January.
We believe that this setup allows you to personally and professionally manage your time between work, study and family commitments, whilst also working towards achieving a Master's degree.
The Metal Additive Manufacturing MSc at Cranfield provided me with theoretical and practical exposure to develop an in-depth understanding of the subject which helped me immensely to secure a job in the Additive Manufacturing field.
As a part-time student, I was pleased to cover many topics throughout the Metal Additive Manufacturing MSc, which directly related to many challenges I faced with Additive Manufacturing development at my company. I enjoyed the flexibility the course offered, and combining a work-based problem with the individual research project was a real benefit.
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ stands out as a premier institution offering a unique Metal Additive Manufacturing course. This intensive one-year program is facilitated by leading experts specializing in the Direct Energy Deposition (DED) process. Meticulously designed to align with industrial demands, the course offers comprehensive insights into this field.
The curriculum encompasses a diverse range of challenging projects, fostering profound learning experiences intertwined with cutting-edge advancements in the Additive Manufacturing sector.
For individuals aspiring to forge a career in Metal AM, I wholeheartedly endorse this program as an invaluable stepping stone.
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Informed by Industry
The course was meticulously crafted in collaboration with key stakeholders across various sectors. Our industrial partners continue to contribute to developing sponsored projects as well as keeping the course content relevant and industry-focussed. This strategic approach ensures that the university education is seamlessly aligned with industry needs and best practices.
Course details
The course includes seven taught compulsory modules, which are generally delivered from October to March. The modules include lectures and tutorials, and are assessed through practical work, written examinations, case studies, essays, presentations and tests. These provide the 'tools' required for the group and individual projects.
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%
Group project
The group project experience is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. Teams of students work to solve an industrial problem. The project applies technical knowledge and provides training in teamwork and the opportunity to develop non-technical aspects of the taught programme. Part-time students can prepare a dissertation on an agreed topic in place of the group project.
Industrially orientated, our team projects have support from external organisations. As a result of external engagement, Cranfield students enjoy a higher degree of success when it comes to securing employment. Prospective employers value the student experience where team working to find solutions to industrially based problems are concerned.
Example of recent group projects from related courses include:
- WAAM of 15-5 PH stainless steel using Plasma arc process
- In-process cold-work of WAAMed aluminium to eliminate porosity
- Laser Interferometric Technology to Monitor Additive Manufacturing
Individual project
Students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. The individual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge and overcome genuine problems.
Example of recent individual thesis projects from related courses include:
- Electrical property characterisation of copper and aluminium components made by additive manufacturing
- Relationships between build rate and mechanical properties in Ti-6-Al-4V
- Study of building horizontal and inclined walls using additive layer manufacture
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Teaching team
You will be taught by industry-active research academics from Cranfield with an established track record, supported by visiting lecturers from industry. The Course Director for this programme is Dr Yongle Sun and the Admissions Tutor for this programme is Surya Krishnaswamy.
Accreditation
This MSc course is accredited by;
- The on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for CEng until August 2026.
- The until August 2026 on behalf of the Engineering Council as further learning for CEng.
Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
Please note accreditation applies to the MSc award, PgDip and PgCert do not meet in full the further learning requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Your career
This qualification takes you on to a wide range of careers involving metal additive manufacturing processes, with experts needed in all fields from design, processes or simulation. Responsibilities include research, development, design, engineering, consultancy and management across a broad range of industrial sectors.
Students in the past have gone on to hold positions including:
| Additive Manufacturing Engineer |
| Applications Engineer |
| Design Engineer |
| Research Assistant |
Companies that our students work for include:
| Rolls-Royce | Wayland Additive |
| GKN Aerospace | Addept3D |
| WAAM3D |
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.
