DipHE Automation and Instrumentation
Full-time
Part-time
Two year
Four year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Automation and Instrumentation are critical areas in today's industrial landscape.
This DipHE in Automation and Instrumentation offers a comprehensive curriculum covering basic maths, physics, programming, Industry 4.0, data acquisition and automation principles. This programme prepares students for a flourishing career in the field of industrial automation, which is in high demand across various industries. Through problem-based learning workshops and group activities, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, to an industry agreed standard.
Your studies will be at a university with an established profile in these areas and supported by the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology. Unique advantages of this programme are:
- High demand - Graduates find abundant opportunities in manufacturing, energy, automotive and other sectors where automation plays a pivotal role
- Career opportunities - The programme's versatility, integrating essential subjects like maths and physics, equips graduates to excel in diverse automation-related roles
- Industry 4.0 focus - Students stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart manufacturing
- Data-driven decision making - Learning data acquisition techniques empowers students to make informed decisions, optimise processes and increase efficiency in complex industrial settings
- Efficiency and cost savings - Professionals with automation and instrumentation skills are highly valued for improving productivity, reducing downtime and lowering operational costs in industries, offering substantial benefits to businesses across the UK
- Versatility - Graduates gain a well-rounded understanding, making them adaptable to various automation-related roles.
What is a 'DipHE'?
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) at Level 5 is awarded after two years of full-time study at university. Our DipHE programmes are hands-on and practical, with flexible learning options available so you can choose to study full or part time.
You can take a DipHE straight from college when you have completed qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. Some people choose to take a gap year first or spend some time working before they start a DipHE.
Diplomas of Higher Education are perfect for people who want a university experience, but do not want to take a full undergraduate degree qualification. You get the support and teaching quality of a degree but don’t have to commit to three years of study before you begin. A DipHE can lead directly to a career as you will have gained valued skills and experience, or you might choose to continue with further studies.
This course is subject to approval
This programme has been successfully approved for a HTQ higher quality mark. The HTQ quality mark means the course is an approved Higher Technical Qualifcation, a level 4 or 5 qualification quality marked by IfATE to indicate their alignment to employer-led occupational standards. For more information on HTQ's, please click here to visit the IfATE website.
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
you are interested in automation, robotics and sensors
you have an enquiring mind and enjoy leveraging basic science concepts for practical problem solving
you enjoy working with a combination of hardware and software tools
All about the course
Course Delivery
This course has been designed alongside out industry partners to ensure that it meets the needs of industry. Modules that make up the programme have been developed as new learning experiences bespoke to the course, which will give you a concentrated two-year experience to prepare you for employment or top-up study.
The structure below reflects a two-year route. Modules may include:
Maths
In this module, you will learn the basic mathematical tools needed for a technical career in the engineering domain. The module will cover basic arithmetic, algebra, functions, plots, derivatives and integrals. You will also learn vectors, matrices and basic operations related to these. Statistical operations such as calculation of the mean and standard deviation will also be taught. There will be a strong link between the maths concepts taught here and the Programming Fundamentals (MATLAB) module.
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and guided self-study. Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Programming Fundamentals with MATLAB
In this module, you will learn the basics of programming using the MATLAB technical environment. You will learn how to write scripts to carry out technical calculation operations. You will design the programme flows, logic operations and use various loop structures. Data forms such as vectors, matrices and structures will be taught alongside various methods of data analysis and visualisation.
Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Engineering Physics 1
In this module, you will learn the fundamental physics needed to understand and work with sensing and control systems. The module will start off with covering basic concepts such as force, motion, energy and power, together with material properties such as Young's modulus and stress/strain/pressure. This will be followed by coverage of basic electrical/electromagnetic concepts such as electric field and potential, leading to capacitors and inductors. Analysis of DC and AC linear circuits will be covered, followed by an introduction to semiconductor devices, such as diodes.
The concepts will be taught in lectures and tutorials, accompanied by lab experiments. Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Engineering Physics 2
This module will continue the fundamental physics needed to understand and work with sensing and control systems. The module will start off with fluid dynamics, including gas and fluid flow, pressure and viscosity. This will be followed by coverage of basic thermal physics concepts such as thermal conduction and expansion, heat capacity, gas kinetics, phases of matter and the laws of thermodynamics.
This will be followed by mechanical wave theory and electromagnetic waves, with associated phenomena such as diffraction and interference. Finally, the photon model of light will be introduced.
The concepts will be taught in lectures and tutorials, accompanied by lab experiments. Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Automation, Control and Instrumentation Systems
In this module, you will learn the fundamentals of sensor technologies, electronic instrumentation and different types of sensors. You will also learn how to analyse and design electronic interfaces to connect sensors to other subsystems. In the second part, the concept of open loop and closed loop control systems will be introduced. The concepts of linear systems, transfer functions and system stability will be introduced, together with PID control concepts. Finally, the basics of electric drive technology for DC and AC (single-phase, three-phase) will be presented.
Assessment and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Instrumentation and Sensors Laboratory
In this lab module, you will work with an educational training tool to gain hands-on practical experience with a variety of sensors for measuring different physical quantities. You will also learn how to interface these sensors with the PC environment using MATLAB. Alongside this, other instrumentation topics will be taught, such as the use of operational and differential amplifiers, and analogue to digital converters and digital to analogue converters.
Assessment and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Automation and Industry 4.0 (Parts 1 & 2)
Over the course of a year, you will use a dedicated platform to learn about advanced concepts in industrial automation. The Siemens Connected Curriculum brings industrial hardware and software together in a platform that includes Siemens software, curriculum examples, case studies and real-life problem-solving tutorials.
It aims to provide students industrial experience of automation technologies during their studies, knowledge that would not typically be gained until a STEM graduate enters the working world. Students will also gain insight into how these technologies are applied in the digital world, for example Industrial IoT and Digital Twins.
Control Systems and Electric Drives Laboratory
In this laboratory module, you will work with an educational training tool to gain hands-on practical experience with a variety of control systems. You will also apply the knowledge gained from Year 1 to analyse and design control systems for various processes. You will use MATLAB to assist in analysis and design. You will also work on DC and AC electric drives for motors, while gaining practical knowledge on electrical wiring, EMI and industry electrical safety practices and standards.
Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Project
In this module, students will execute and automation/control project from the design to implementation stage. This will give students the chance to practice project management, handling tasks and solving problems towards a practical technical goal.
Assessments and activities will provide the opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
GMIoT
Located across England, Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a national network of partnerships between local colleges, universities, and leading employers.
We are a proud partner in the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology. This means as a student on this course you will benefit from being part of the University of Salford community, with access to our facilities and support, and taught by our tutors. You will also be part of the GMIoT network, with access to additional events and activities.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Demand for automation and instrumentation practitioners is extremely high and there is growing demand for qualified professionals across many global industries. On completing this course, you could apply for technician roles in various industries.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
As an applicant for this course, you will be interested in working with automation systems and sensors and curious about the fields of Automation, Controls, Robotics, Sensors and Instrumentation. You will have gained some aptitude for mathematics and/or physics at GCE A-Level (or equivalent) and have an interest in applying your knowledge in real-world industrial automation scenarios.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our courses.
UCAS tariff points
72 points
GCE A level
C or above in Maths
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to successfully pursue a programme of study in higher education. Students who do not have the traditional entry requirements may be able to apply through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme. Support in preparing for the written assessment is available from the University.
For further information, please contact: enquiries@salford.ac.uk.
HOW MUCH?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
The 4-year part-time course fee is pro rata.
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535.00per year |
Part-time | 2025/26 | part time fees will be calculated on a pro rata basis |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general sustenance on trips and visits.
All Set? Let's Apply?
UCAS Code: HH03
Start Date(s): September
Duration:
One year full-time
Two years part-time
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID HH03
Institution S03