The automotive industry is a hugely rewarding sector to get into, if you’re looking to take your place at the forefront of engineering, working on future developments in a thriving, global industry, this could be the ideal start. With industry focus now progressing to more environmentally friendly vehicles, for example, battery, electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, as well as the increasing demand for new technologies, products and materials, there are plenty of career paths you could chose to take within this STEM subject, whilst planning for your future.

We want to help you make the most of all the exciting opportunities the rapidly modernising automotive industry has to offer. So we’ve designed this course to give you the chance to prepare for the next step. You could build up the skills and knowledge to go on to a great future in all manner of careers. With a wealth of expertise in automotive engineering, developed through research and consultancy, we enjoy relationships with companies such as Nissan, Toyota, BMW, Jaguar, Cummins Turbo Technologies, Eaton Transmissions and BBA Friction, to name a few.

From designing components for high-performance cars, through to working as a trackside team engineer, or even developing the next generation of mass produced vehicles that don't damage the planet. You could be working on new technology, or tasked with reducing emissions to protect the environment for the future, and making a difference to the world we live in, it’s all possible, your skill set will also be transferable to other related industries, for example, rail, aerospace and marine. And it all starts here. Engineering-related problem solving and project work are important elements of the course, previous students have undertaken projects that gave them the opportunity to access our:

• Full vehicle four post ride simulator
• Two wheel engine and transmission test rig
• Engine and electric motor test beds
• Dynamic monitoring equipment
• Specialist computer packages
• Wind tunnel facilities
• Electric machine and drive laboratory
• Railway locomotive test facility

We’ll give you the chance to develop some fundamental skills in automotive engineering, and then apply them to real-world scenarios in the projects you work on. You could get involved in all sorts of different ways. For example, you could join our racing team, Team HARE, and get hands-on with the design, development and build of a single-seat Formula Student car (or comparable automotive design and build team project). You could then go even further and be part of the team competing at international events held in places like Spain and Germany.

From your second year onwards you’ll be able to work in a fully equipped automotive laboratory with expert technicians and tutors on hand to guide you through your practical work. In addition, our Institute of Railway Research (IRR) within our Department of Engineering have been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for ‘innovative research in railway engineering to improve safety and efficiency through technological developments'. This is one of the most coveted distinctions in UK Higher Education.

The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), which means it goes towards helping you get Incorporated Engineer status (IEng).

While you’re here you could take advantage of our strong links with the automotive industry to get a real feeling for how things are done in the real-world. And we’ll give you the chance to go on a year-long placement, gaining some really useful experience to help impress employers – not to mention the chance to make lots of contacts that could help kick-start your career.

Placements

This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. A placement year helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students have spent their placement year at companies including Nissan, Bosch, Aston Martin Lagonda, and Triumph. You can find more information on placements here.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. Find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as senior supplier quality engineer, vehicle engineering manager, design engineer, lead engineer and test engineer in organisations including McLaren Automotive Ltd, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Cummins Inc and Bentley Motors Ltd.**

Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue a career that requires a good honours degree. You could also go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study which may interest you.

* Percentage of graduates from this course who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (Unistats 17/18 data, UK domiciled graduates).