Automotive Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Why you should study this course
 

Automotive engineers are involved in every stage of the design, testing and development of vehicles and their components, from concept to production. This course has been designed to equip engineers of the future with the skills and knowledge needed to fill a wide variety of roles in an ever-changing industry and beyond.

With current extensive links to well-known automotive companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Lotus, Coventry University has a long and prestigious automotive, transport and engineering heritage.

You will benefit from access to modern facilities, a reputation for teaching excellence in the engineering field and our current strong links with local industry, which aim to help ensure our course reflects current thinking, the latest technologies, design systems and testing processes.

You will be taught by current academics with wide ranging experience in the automotive fields. Our current academics are actively involved in commercial and academic research, whose expertise could further-enrich your learning and enhance your understanding of the challenges facing engineers today.

You could work with staff on real-world problems from industry*, commerce and research groups, as you would in professional practice; this means that you could be provided the opportunity to develop professional skills at the same time as you learn the technical content of your degree. (Please note that staff are subject to change).

What you'll study

Year one
 

In the first year, you will have the opportunity to study modules that have been designed with the aim to broaden your perspective and understanding of underlying engineering principles. Our aim is to bring you to a level where detailed work in the field of automotive engineering can be studied in future years.
 

Modules
 

• Manufacturing Technology and Materials – 20 credits

  This module is designed to provide an integrated introduction to engineering materials and manufacturing processes. Common processes will be analysed which are used to convert materials into all types of engineering products from a variety of industrial sectors, i.e. aerospace, automotive and electronics.

  Compulsory
   

• Mechanical Science – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide the essential and fundamental knowledge of mechanical science needed by all engineering students, whilst laying the necessary foundation for more advanced mechanical engineering studies.

  Compulsory
   

• Design – 20 credits

  This module aims to present a structured approach to the design process, design management, and creative problem solving, leading to the writing of a Product Design Specification ready to issue for manufacture. Various design process models and methodologies will be introduced together with creative thinking and problem solving techniques.

  Compulsory
   

• Engineering Mathematics 1 – 20 credits

  This module aims to further develop the students' competence in mathematical methods relevant to engineering whilst at the same time emphasising fundamental concepts which the engineer needs to understand in order to produce a mathematical formulation of a problem. Students will learn to analyse problems using appropriate mathematical techniques carrying out the manipulation themselves and also using modern mathematical software.

  Compulsory
   

• Engineering Mathematics 1 – 20 credits

  This module aims to further develop the students' competence in mathematical methods relevant to engineering whilst at the same time emphasising fundamental concepts which the engineer needs to understand in order to produce a mathematical formulation of a problem. Students will learn to analyse problems using appropriate mathematical techniques carrying out the manipulation themselves and also using modern mathematical software.

  Compulsory
   

• Engineering Application – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to develop a practical understanding of engineering products, components and systems, and of the processes of bringing them into being, including design, analysis, materials and manufacture and an awareness of industry and society.

  Compulsory
   

• Electrical Machines – 10 credits

  The module aims to provide a broad basic introduction to electrical machines and science for non-specialists. It places an emphasis on d.c. circuit theory, electrical supply and rotating machinery.

  Compulsory
   

• Add+vantage module – 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory
   

Year two
 

In the second year, you will have the opportunity to study automotive engineering subjects in more depth. These subjects have been designed with the aim of giving you a firm under-pinning of engineering principles. You will also have the opportunity to study a specific vehicle systems module that will introduce the key themes of automotive engineering and should provide a basis for future study.
 

Modules

• Vehicle Systems and Development – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the details of vehicle technology and to introduce a range of basic physical and virtual experimental methods as used in Automotive or Motorsport applications. Students will study a range of vehicle technologies and typical experimental methods, develop their own development project proposal and conduct a relevant basic experiment.

  Compulsory
   

• Solid Mechanics and Dynamics – 20 credits

  This module aims to build upon the basic principles covered in Mechanical Science and to broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of rigid body mechanics and stress analysis. It will teach students to correctly apply solid mechanics theory to design problems by means of practical examples.

  Compulsory
   

• Thermofluid Mechanics – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to build and develop the fundamentals of thermo-fluids introduced in year 1 by applying the laws of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to engineering applications.

  Compulsory
   

• Analytical Modelling – 20 credits

  This module provides students with a range of analytical tools needed for solving modern engineering problems. Students are introduced into the fundamental concepts that an engineer needs to understand in order to formulate and analyse practical problems, and taught to apply their skills to real-world applications.

  Compulsory
   

• Engineering Management – 10 credits

  The module aims to develop the student’s holistic knowledge and understanding of engineering management. It will enable the student to apply theory, exercise judgement, utilise relevant analytical tools and techniques and work in project teams to solve a range of engineering management problems.  

  Compulsory
   

• Design and Sustainability – 20 credits

  The module aims to develop a number of key capabilities required in the mechanical/automotive product innovation process. Specifically these include: creativity, management, experimental methods, analysis and synthesis, and the application of information technology tools.

  Compulsory
   

• Add+vantage module – 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory
   

  Following your second year, there is an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution
   

  If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between levels 5 and 6 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year, however we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.
   

  Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. While the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of a marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.
   

  Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
   

Final year
 

In your third year you will be encouraged to focus purely on automotive subjects, considering engineering science as it is applied to automobile design, development and manufacture. You will be given the opportunity to define your individual study plan, selecting from a range of options to complement core subjects.

You should develop an awareness of the wider responsibilities of the automotive sector to society, especially in terms of issues relating to ethics, health, safety and sustainability. You will have the opportunity to explore the corporate context of engineering, alongside the commercial and technical risks associated with innovation, with the aim of enabling you to deal with new and unusual challenges in automotive engineering.

You will have the opportunity to participate in individual (MEng and BEng) and group projects (BEng) that can be selected according to your personal interests or future aspiration. Group projects have previously involved Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus, Formula Student, Shell Eco Marathon, Horiba MIRA and Royal Enfield, whilst recent individual projects have included advanced control strategies for energy management of electric sports cars, assessment of interior safety of autonomous vehicles, modelling of predictive control design for improved vehicle steering control, autonomous vehicle ethics and FEA-based crash optimisation study.
 

Modules
 

• Professional Development and Project Planning – 10 credits

  This module aims to equip engineering students with the generic skills and knowledge to enable them to contribute effectively in their professional careers. Students should gain an understanding of project based planning and delivery, sustainability and the environment, ethical practice and professionalism, as well as an appreciation of how their chosen specialism might fit into the overall context of engineering and the wider social, legal and physical environments.

  Compulsory
   

• Individual Project – 20 credits

  The aims of the project are to give the student a realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at a professional level; to be a vehicle for integrating the knowledge gained in several subject areas of the degree course; and to allow the student to develop their personal qualities such as initiative, imagination, creativity, communication, organisation, employ IT effectively and solve non-routine problems.

  Compulsory
   

• Automotive Product Innovation – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to develop and demonstrate a student's capability in undertaking a complete automotive product innovation process, working as a member of a team.

  Compulsory
   

• Automotive Propulsion and Transmission – 20 credits

  The aim of the module is to give a thorough understanding of the powertrain system in automotive domain. The topics will focus on the different propulsion and drivetrain systems; and the system requirements in order to meet the technology demands as well as the current and future legislation.

  Compulsory
   

• Automotive Vehicle Dynamics and Aerodynamics – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to cover the underlying principles governing the flow behaviour associated with ground vehicles aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.

  Compulsory
   

• Add+vantage module – 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

Typical offer for 2022 entry.
 

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

International Fees
£18,050 per year
 

International Pathways 2022 Scholarship
You could enjoy a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees.
Our high-quality foundation, international year one and pre-masters courses are for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to their preferred Coventry University undergraduate or postgraduate course. We can support you to achieve the academic and/or English grades you need and help you gain the personal and professional skills required to study at university.

We want to encourage ambitious international students like you to study at Coventry University, so we’ve secured extra financial support for you worth £3,000, to help with the cost of tuition fees, living expenses and accommodation.
 

The scholarship application deadline is:
September 2022 intake: 31 July 2022

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
 

• Apply and demonstrate knowledge of science, processes, materials, design and management to solve problems of increasing complexity.
• Search for and evaluate information sources to identify information essential to solving engineering problems.
• Model, analyse and evaluate innovative automotive engineering systems using appropriate engineering science and mathematical analysis techniques to increase performance and efficiency.
• Synthesise solutions to innovative engineering design problems, selecting appropriate instrumentation for the functional design of innovative engineering products and systems and to support development and test work.
• Use test equipment and machines for experimental work to support product development.
• Use commercial software in the solution of engineering problems and communicate graphically the design of a component or system through sketches, CAD etc.
• Assess the business case for a project, analysing the benefits, uncertainties and risks, including an analysis of stakeholder needs, expectations and their associated impact on the project.
• Critically analyse the engineering results from a problem associated with stress analysis, aerodynamics, dynamics, noise and vibrations.
• Plan and implement a strategy, using selected computer tools, for the modelling, simulation and analysis of typical vehicle performance tests ensuring an efficient and effective contribution to the vehicle design process.
• Understand the requirements of a project, develop work plans, and ensure all the deliverables are met at set deadlines and the project is kept on track from start to finish.