Aiming to build on knowledge gained in undergraduate study or professional practice, this postgraduate course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

We currently have major industry links, and you should have a chance to show your work to industry leaders. Ultimately, you will be provided with the opportunity to get ahead with our Automotive Design MA.

Working on studio delivered briefs and ‘live’ industry projects, you will be taught the underlying theory, 2D and latest 3D techniques used to resolve automotive design challenges within the areas of exterior, interior, colour and trim design. We offer state-of-the-art facilities, including an automotive clay modelling studio, laser cutting, rapid prototyping, 3D printing and a 12-camera motion capture studio for the measurement of human motion, machine interaction and biomechanics.

Past graduates have gone on to become design directors and chief designers at Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Ford, Aston Martin, Lotus, Tata, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Johnson Controls, Faurecia, and Volvo.

Professional experience option

This master's programme provides you with the additional option to apply for a professional experience opportunity during your first semester with us. The professional experience opportunity is designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur a maximum additional tuition fee of £4,000. If your placement is in a country other than the UK, visa applications procedures for that country will apply and application must be made from the home country of the applicant.

International companies are keen to employ our graduates to acquire their skills and knowledge of the automotive design process. Past graduates have gone on to become design directors and chief designers at Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Ford, Aston Martin, Lotus, Tata, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Johnson Controls, Faurecia, and Volvo.

Career opportunities are considered vast and varied within automotive design, research, teaching and design management. You could start your own business, become a design consultant, modeller, illustrator, CAD professional, design manager or marketing professional. You may wish to continue your studies at PhD level.