Navigate the intersection of business and engineering at the University of Warwick

More than half of students change their major at least once, according to an Ellucian survey. This trend could be fuelled by the fact specialised knowledge in one field is no longer enough to take on today’s complex challenges. This is where multidisciplinary degrees prove advantageous — specifically the kind offered by WMG. 

The University of Warwick’s largest department is home to 850 staff, over 3,000 students and 250 PhD students. It is known for solving industrial, environmental and societal problems through collaborative research and a range of full-time undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Amongst its extensive lineup, the MSc Engineering Business Management stands out for turning curious students into versatile professionals. 

That’s precisely what Lefteris Andreadis sought to gain by joining the MSc. “I was looking to build my skills across all areas of management and business — from operations and finance to marketing and leadership,” he says. “With its broad mix of modules, WMG’s programme was exactly right for me.” Andreadis was an ideal candidate, having completed a mechanical engineering degree in Greece. This MSc suits students with technical backgrounds who want to develop management expertise.

Source: University of Warwick

Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), it equips students with analytical tools and techniques to enhance both internal and external operations. Throughout the programme, they gain an understanding of the processes and technologies used by engineering businesses, with a focus on practical application and industry relevance. 

Courses in operations management, supply chain logistics, and technology innovation prepare students to manage and lead in diverse engineering environments. They also cover the processes and technologies used by engineering businesses, providing insights into optimising efficiency and competitiveness. Electives focus on the management of people — options include leadership and the management of change. 

Students on all routes explore the ins and outs of achieving sustainability throughout the product life cycle. “Today’s market has new and upcoming job roles, and sustainability has taken centre stage,” shares Mario Miranda, a student from India. “Embedding it in project management is a crucial enabler for developing a strategic competitive advantage. At WMG, preparation for these jobs occurs through an application-based learning style consisting of case studies and real-world simulations.”

Indeed, this MSc leverages an applied, experiential learning style. “You’ll be doing simulations, group work, exercises, and case studies with groups of other students on your modules,” shares course director Dr. Jane Marshall. “The tutors are predominantly experienced in industry, so they will bring to you their own experience of applying whatever technique they’re teaching you.”

Source: University of Warwick

Graduate Mareike Kirwald loved the applied nature of the course. Her dissertation project involved working on real business challenges for Rolls-Royce in collaboration with the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry. It looked at the creation of a framework on how human factors determine automation. While she sharpened several technical skills, it was the soft skills she developed during her time at WMG that played a key role in her post-graduation success.

“This came through particularly strongly when I attended the BMW assessment centre,” she says. “The fact that I have already begun to build a global network with fellow coursemates from countries around the world, and exposure to different ways of working, was another huge factor in my success.”

Kirwald is currently the Project Lead at BMW in Oxford. Such outcomes are typical of those who choose the MSc Engineering Business Management. Andreadis’s professional progression proves this. Starting as an Operations Management Trainee at Meggitt plc, he quickly advanced through several key roles, including Operations Project Lead, Project Manager for Strategic Operations, and Site Operations Manager. Today, he’s Head of EU Air Ground Ops at Amazon in the UK. 

“I can honestly say that studying at WMG was the best choice I have ever made in my life,” he says. “It opened the door to major opportunities for me.”

Over the years, other graduates have secured the roles of Business Analyst, Business Development Manager, Consultant Analyst, Engineering Project Manager, Operations Manager, Production Leader, Project Manager, Senior Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Consultant, Technology Analyst, and more at companies and organisations around the world. 

Interested in following in their footsteps? As WMG prepares to award over one million pounds in scholarships and bursaries for students beginning full-time MSc programmes in September 2024, now is the best time to take your career to the next level. Explore the WMG degree that blends engineering excellence with business acumen here. 

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