UWTSD Home - Study With Us - Undergraduate Courses - Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (BEng)
The Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) sector has recognised its need to build skills and competency in a critical area for the UK defence and commercial explosives enterprise. Our focus is to develop your ability to learn and apply knowledge independently, building intellectual skills such as analysis, innovation and critical appraisal. Lectures explore concepts and theories and develop knowledge for underpinning advanced technical skills.
The OME programme is led by industry demand with modules that incorporate industry trends and technological advancements to stretch and challenge you. You will develop a variety of general and specialised skills. Graduates carry out a range of technical, engineering studies and scientific experimentation in their specialist fields.
The OME department has well-developed links with the industry through academic programmes and the Industry Liaison Group (ILG). This programme has been designed to ensure the fully competent OME Technician or Professional can work in a wide range of organisations within this field, including the defence, chemical, commercial, military, security, analytical and research sectors and has been accredited by the Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE). Assessment includes examinations, coursework, practical activities, and group and individual presentations, all designed to equip you to advance your studies and career. Year 3 of the course involves industry placements.
Please apply via UCAS if you wish to join a full-time course starting in September.
Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (BEng)
UCAS Code: OEM1
Apply via UCAS
Book an Open Day Request Information
Tuition Fees 2023/24:
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
- Small class sizes where you have the chance to ask questions and to learn actively.
- Opportunities for practical learning via fieldwork using our great geographic position.
- Active engagement with employers.
- State-of-the-art purpose-built campus and facilities.
- A fresh approach to education rooted in its locality but with a broad global perspective.
This course specialises in OME and enjoys unrivalled access to industry. We have a diverse student body from numerous industries and institutions in the UK as well as overseas, providing a rich educational experience. Students are introduced to up-to-date and current research, which enables them to obtain a critical awareness of problem solving and the capacity to evaluate best practice in the OME professions.
The BEng aims to provide knowledge and transferable skills that will enhance employment potential across this entire field. Students can learn in a structured and adult manner from academics and practical experts across the OME disciplines. UWTSD also offers full access to an outstanding learning environment and online literature through our extensive library facilities.
What you will learn
This course has been designed specifically to provide an opportunity to a wide range of students wishing to pursue careers in UK defence and its associated industries, the broader global defence and security market, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, commercial explosive engineering enterprise, and humanitarian and developmental agencies facing clearance challenges.
The modules within the OME programme enable students to study a wide range of general and specialised skills targeted directly at the OME sector. Lectures are used to explore concepts and theories and developing knowledge for underpinning advanced technical skills. Graduates from this programme will carry out a range of technical, engineering studies and scientific experimentation in their specialist field.
Year One – Level 4
- Chemistry (20 credits; core)
- Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronic Systems (10 credits; compulsory)
- Mathematics (20 credits; core)
- Physics (20 credits; core)
- Principles of OME (20 credits; core)
- Principles of Systems Engineering (20 credits; core)
- Study Skills (10 credits; core).
Year Two – Level 5
- Advanced Physics of OME (20 credits; core)
- Computer-aided Engineering (20 credits; compulsory)
- Electromagnetic Radiation (20 credits; compulsory)
- Instrumentation and Control (10 credits; compulsory)
- Safety and Hazard Assessment (10 credits; core)
- Systems Engineering (20 credits; core)
- Work-based Group Project (20 credits; compulsory).
Year Three – Level 5
- Independent Professional Placement (compulsory).
Year Four – Level 6
- Advanced Chemistry of OME (20 credits; core)
- Data Capture and Evaluation (20 credits; compulsory)
- Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory)
- OME Safety Management and Legislation (20 credits; core)
- Scientific Principles of OME Design (20 credits; core).
Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including traditional examinations, coursework, practical activities, group and individual presentations, all of which are designed to equip students with the experience and skills needed as they move forward in their studies and their careers.
Key Information
- Gareth Collett – g.collett@uwtsd.ac.uk
The course is managed by Gareth Collett CBE, a former British Army officer who specialised in OME for over 30 years. His responsibilities in this discipline have ranged from OME requirements management, their design and manufacture, to the integration of OME on strategic platforms and their respective surveillance whilst in operational service. He has also been the head of the bomb disposal profession and senior responsible owner for the safeguarding of UK OME stockpiles deployed forwards. Gareth is a world leading and published subject matter expert on countering improvised explosive devices (C-IED), blast mitigation and post-blast forensics, and a pro-bono Board Member and Ambassador to two International Victim Assistance Charities. Having completed the last 4 years in Yemen as the Chief Technical Advisor to the United Nations Development Programme (where he was principal lead for OME survey and clearance), he took up post at UWTSD in September 2022.
The OME department has well-developed links with industry through academic programmes and the Industry Liaison Group (ILG). This programme has been designed to ensure the fully competent OME Technician or Professional can work in a wide range of large or small, public or private organisations within this sector including defence, chemical, commercial, military, security, analytical or research. This course has been accredited by the Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE).
The cost of certification for OME Safety Course is £30 (mandatory)
Field trips vary in cost (necessarily incurred) – supported by employers
It is recognised, for example, that the precise costs associated with a field trip could vary from year to year.
Placement
There will be an additional fee of £1800 for students who choose to study the programme with the optional year in industry placement.
