Global Product Development and Management

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2-5 years part-time.

The world is becoming increasingly connected, raising many challenges in terms of organisational management, product development and cross-border collaboration. Global product development is a new way of thinking that aims to utilise and manage the power of the global market to design and manufacture intelligent, sustainable and internationally competitive products.

This prestigious course develops highly employable leaders able to respond to the challenges and demands of modern globalised markets. Students are introduced to cutting-edge technologies for worldwide product development and management, including concept creation and creativity for practical product engineering. 

The course has been developed in conjunction with Factura, a leader in senior executive search and selection, which ensures it is aligned to industry needs and is well positioned to enable successful graduates to gain high profile careers.

Students benefit from use of state-of-the-art software and technical equipment such as a rapid prototyping machine, and access to a real-world global production environment through supporting industrial partners. Students are able to apply their skills in a hands-on mini project that culminates in the physical generation of a real industrial product.

The course comprises a carefully integrated and structured series of eight one-week assessed modules, a group project and an individual project.

Group project:

The major learning experience for full-time students is the group project. This involves students working in teams to fulfil demanding objectives within a tight timescale, applying state-of-the-art technologies and approaches and delivering results to a high professional standard. Projects are industrially orientated and have the support of external organisations. Experience gained is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. For part-time students a dissertation usually replaces the group project.

Individual project:

Either industrially or academically driven, students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. It 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 manufacturing problems. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations.

Modules:

Theoretical as well as hands-on modules introduce key building blocks for global business such as:

• Global Virtual Product Design
• Global Lean Manufacture
• Whole Product Life Cycle Management and Sustainability
• Global Product Management and Leadership 

Compulsory Modules:

• Concept Development and Prototypying
• Enterprise Systems
• Use of Novel Materials and Manufacturing Technologies
• Cost Engineering
• General Management
• Product Development

Optional Modules (two to be selected):

• Design-driven Innovation
• Information Management
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Product Quality Control and Optimisation

Entry requirements:

Candidates must possess, or be expected to achieve, a 1st or 2nd class UK Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science, engineering or related discipline. Other relevant qualifications, together with significant experience, may be considered.

English language requirements - our normal minimum requirement is a TOEFL score of 580 (paper test) or 237 (computer test), essay rating 4.5 or 92 (Internet test), all skills 19 or an IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 for writing, a TOEIC overall score of 830, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade C or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English grade C, although a number of our programmes require higher scores

Funding:

Funding opportunities exist, such as industrial sponsorship and School bursaries. For the majority of part-time students sponsorship is organised by their employers. Please note that a formal offer of a place on this course must have been received before consideration can be given for funding.

Want to find out more?

Contact our Enquiries Office for further details on all the courses we offer by either email: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1234 758008. You can also visit our website.

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