Postgraduate Courses

Attendance on specific Rapra courses can offer you a direct pathway to achieving a Postgraduate Certificate in Polymer Engineering with the University of Wolverhampton.

This award is the result of collaboration between Smithers Rapra and the Innovative Product Development Centre at the School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE) at the University of Wolverhampton.

This is a unique opportunity that allows managers and technologists in industry to obtain a formal and relevant qualification in polymer engineering.

The award has been designed to support people working full (or part-time) in industry. It is based on attendance at courses which you choose for their relevance to your working environment and attend on dates that are convenient to you, followed by supported study and assessment carried out over a period of time that is convenient for you.

Some questions answered:

How will this help my career and what are the aims of this course?

  • You gain an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the technologies and techniques used by todays most successful manufacturers of polymer-based products
  • You will be able to critically evaluate how a modern manufacturing organisation (such as your own) could exploit these technologies
  • You will pick up knowledge, skills and expertise that will contribute to your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

What does the course involve?

The PGCert in Polymer Engineering is based on a series of intensive short courses, delivered by Smithers Rapra, and the University of Wolverhampton.

At Smithers Rapra you will study:

  • Two study modules each delivered over two-days:

Plastics Materials and Products and Polymer Processing Technology

At The University of Wolverhampton, you will study:

  • Two modules, each delivered over three successive days:

Engineering Materials and Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Technologies

How long will it take?

  • Typically this course can be completed over one to two years.

Where will I have to attend?

You will be taught here at Smithers Rapra, nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire using our excellent short course teaching facilities. You will also be taught and receive additional support at the University of Wolverhamptons Telford Campus, where you will have access to the highly-advanced resources based in the Zwick-Roell and Innovative Product Development Centres: e.g. materials testing, injection moulding, composites manufacture, rapid prototyping, vacuum casting, co-ordinate measurement, CNC machining and computer-aided design and simulation.

Location: Smithers Rapra, Shawbury

Plastics Materials and Products

Polymer Processing Technology

This broad-based modules includes attendance and study of one of the following:


Location: University of Wolverhampton, Telford Campus

Engineering Materials Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Technologies

What other support will I get?

The University of Wolverhampton will offer you tutorial support and the use of e-learning tools immediately after completion of a Smithers Rapra short course event.

What are the entry requirements?

  • You should be educated to Honours degree level (minimum of 2.2) in an engineering, technology or science related subject.
  • Consideration will be given to non-standard applications based on qualifications and relevant industrial experience on an individual basis.
  • In particular, if you are a non-standard entrant, you must be able to prove that you are in, or have held, a position within an organisation where you are, or were, operating at a level expected of an experienced professional manager or technologist, i.e. in a technical or managerial role, where key decision-making and/or analytical judgements are made concerning the operations of the organisation.

Who should I contact to find out more about this Postgraduate Certificate course?

For general information about the Postgraduate Certificate Course contact: Hayley Everett, Department Secretary, Manufacturing and Systems, University of Wolverhampton.

For specific academic enquiries contact: Dr. Kevin Kibble, Award Leader

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