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Modern engineering systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, autonomous and safety-critical. From defence and aerospace to transport, energy and infrastructure, engineers must understand not only individual technologies but also how people, processes and technology interact to influence the performance of entire systems. This module introduces systems thinking as a powerful approach to understanding and managing this complexity.

You will explore the principles and methods of systems engineering, learning how engineers adopt a holistic perspective throughout the lifecycle of complex socio-technical systems—from concept and design through operation and eventual decommissioning. Through real-world case studies drawn from defence, security and other safety-critical industries, you will investigate how systems thinking supports decision-making, improves safety, manages risk and optimises overall system performance. Along the way, you will develop skills in systems analysis, critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving that complement your technical engineering expertise.

By the end of the module, you will be able to apply systems thinking principles to complex engineering challenges, recognising how interactions between people, technology and organisations shape system behaviour. These capabilities are increasingly valued across engineering industries and provide an essential foundation for engineers working on the complex, multidisciplinary systems that define modern society.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) states that “the fundamental principles of systems engineering have an important role in the education of all engineers … [in] recognition that most of today’s engineering tasks are performed in multi-disciplinary teams”. In the complex, safety-critical systems that are increasingly prevalent in everyday life, it is crucial to understand how to adopt and apply systems thinking throughout the lifecycle, from design, through operation, to decommissioning.

This module introduces systems thinking as a perspective on engineering, safety and performance. Systems thinking takes a macro view of complex sociotechnical systems, considering how all the elements (people, processes and technology) interact within the context of their environment. It uses bespoke methods to analyse systems at a holistic level and to understand how to optimise overall performance. Both the subject and the module are transdisciplinary and applied in nature, with the module content being rooted in real-world examples from defence and security, plus cross-domain case studies from other relevant safety critical industries including transportation, nuclear and construction, delivered by a range of lecturers from industry and academia.

Modern engineering systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, autonomous and safety-critical. From defence and aerospace to transport, energy and infrastructure, engineers must understand not only individual technologies but also how people, processes and technology interact to influence the performance of entire systems. This module introduces systems thinking as a powerful approach to understanding and managing this complexity.

You will explore the principles and methods of systems engineering, learning how engineers adopt a holistic perspective throughout the lifecycle of complex socio-technical systems—from concept and design through operation and eventual decommissioning. Through real-world case studies drawn from defence, security and other safety-critical industries, you will investigate how systems thinking supports decision-making, improves safety, manages risk and optimises overall system performance. Along the way, you will develop skills in systems analysis, critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving that complement your technical engineering expertise.

By the end of the module, you will be able to apply systems thinking principles to complex engineering challenges, recognising how interactions between people, technology and organisations shape system behaviour. These capabilities are increasingly valued across engineering industries and provide an essential foundation for engineers working on the complex, multidisciplinary systems that define modern society.

Homelessness results from different individual and systemic issues. Often, the systems put in place to help those who experience homelessness can miss crucial gaps or have policy that actively excludes those they intend to support.

Lived experience of homelessness is key to understand and consider as a resource for homelessness services. Those with lived experience can provide understanding of the systems of support and help understand where things can be improved. Peer mentoring, where those with lived experience of homelessness help those who are currently experiencing homelessness, is becoming a standard practice within homelessness services.

Homelessness results from different individual and systemic issues. Often, the systems put in place to help those who experience homelessness can miss crucial gaps or have policy that actively excludes those they intend to support.

Lived experience of homelessness is key to understand and consider as a resource for homelessness services. Those with lived experience can provide understanding of the systems of support and help understand where things can be improved. Peer mentoring, where those with lived experience of homelessness help those who are currently experiencing homelessness, is becoming a standard practice within homelessness services.

Homelessness results from different individual and systemic issues. Often, the systems put in place to help those who experience homelessness can miss crucial gaps or have policy that actively excludes those they intend to support.

Lived experience of homelessness is key to understand and consider as a resource for homelessness services. Those with lived experience can provide understanding of the systems of support and help understand where things can be improved. Peer mentoring, where those with lived experience of homelessness help those who are currently experiencing homelessness, is becoming a standard practice within homelessness services.

This module offers a practical introduction to leading music ensembles within education contexts. Skills covered include arranging for, rehearsing and performing with ensembles of singers and instruments from beginners to professionals. It is particularly aimed at helping students interested in developing skills and techniques for working in community music or music education settings.

This module offers a practical introduction to leading music ensembles within education contexts. Skills covered include arranging for, rehearsing and performing with ensembles of singers and instruments from beginners to professionals. It is particularly aimed at helping students interested in developing skills and techniques for working in community music or music education settings.

This module offers a practical introduction to leading music ensembles within education contexts. Skills covered include arranging for, rehearsing and performing with ensembles of singers and instruments from beginners to professionals. It is particularly aimed at helping students interested in developing skills and techniques for working in community music or music education settings.

This module focuses on the principles and practices of task-based language teaching (TBLT) and its application in language education. In this module, we will explore the theoretical foundations, task design, classroom implementation, learner factors, and assessment in TBLT.