Automotive Engineering – B.Eng/B.Eng (Hons)

     To succeed on this course, you should want to become a designer of cars. You will need an aptitude for practical engineering, perhaps with some experience of building, driving, maintaining or designing automotive-related products.

• You will benefit from the strong links we have forged with the automotive industry. These companies support the course in many ways and are actively involved in shaping its content and style.
• Our courses are accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), leading graduates to Chartered Engineer status.
• The course is offered with an Industrial Placement year. Our students have undertaken engineering roles at major automotive companies such as BMW, Cummins and Nissan.
• We have active research interests in vehicle design and refinement, considering issues such as vehicle aerodynamics, powertrain, suspension dynamics, noise vibration and harshness, fuels, engine emissions and environmental impact.
• We use a range of industry-standard software in teaching, giving our students the skills to contribute to innovation and growth in the industry.
• The curriculum is informed by research and designed to link theory and practice through addressing industrially relevant problems.
• students are regular prizewinners of Formula Student competitions; all students are eligible to get involved with this.
• We provide modern, state-of-the-art workshops, laboratories, computer facilities, and media studios.
• Opportunity to mix with the local engineering community through local IMechE events and lectures.

     The course is taught in our purpose-built premises which house the latest industry-standard test facilities. As well as studying mathematics, engineering principles, design and management during your first year, you will work in small groups to strip a car and rebuild it, to gain familiarity with automotive systems.
In the second year you will develop your analytical skills through a study of dynamics, thermodynamics and stress analysis and then apply them in design.

In your final year you will study specialised automotive engineering subjects. For example, you will learn to use software to analyse the dynamic behaviour of a car when it undertakes manoeuvres. As well as studying automotive aerodynamics and automotive engines, you will be able to choose from a range of optional modules. You will also select a project of personal interest from our research and industrial activities.

Many students undertake a work placement between the second and final years, and all students may apply to join our internationally successful Formula Student team.

If you wish to extend your degree you may seek selection for the four-year MEng course. The first three years of the MEng run parallel with the BEng course, while the final year of the MEng allows you to broaden and deepen your studies. You may enroll on either course when joining the university but progression onto the MEng is only possible for the most able students. You can also apply from elsewhere to join our MEng in the third year.

     Teaching and learning methods include seminars, lectures, and practical work in the laboratory, at a computer or in a workshop. The importance of information technology in modern engineering practice is emphasised, and in several modules almost all of the teaching is based around computers.

Approach to assessment

All modules use a mix of examination and coursework for assessment. Coursework assessment varies but could include the following:

• oral examinations
• group presentations
• design or laboratory reports
• technical reviews
• poster presentations

Learning outcomes

When you have successfully completed this course, you will have:

• the ability to apply engineering principles and analytical techniques in an automotive engineering context
• an understanding of the engineering design process, at both the conceptual and detail level.
• a familiarity with the key factors in the automotive business environment, such as marketing skills, financial awareness and investment appraisal
• a range of transferable skills including communication, numeracy, use of information technology, project management and teamworking.