Course content
Study with us and you’ll apply mechanical engineering principles to automotive and motorsport applications, developing the skills to analyse complex automotive systems and learning about the complex world of motorsport engineering.
You’ll have the chance to use and develop your theoretical knowledge, using computer-based models to design, implement and test your work. You’ll also gain valued transferable skills, such as presenting, writing, discussion and teamwork. As you progress, you’ll develop your skills further and create virtual environments within which your designs and simulations can run.
In your final year of undergraduate study, you’ll complete a major project and take specialist modules covering engine design, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA).
Access to our industry standard rolling road, engine-dyno, fully equipped automotive workshop and race vehicles will bring real-world technologies to your learning.
Throughout the course, you will learn the skills necessary to apply the right technology to different areas of automotive motorsport – skills designed to catch the eye of employers in motorsport, the automotive industry, and second- and third-tier suppliers.
Add the support of experienced lecturers, and this really is a degree for students who are passionate about automotive and motorsport.
Professional body accreditation
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
This course has been accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) up to and including the September 2025 intake.
Re-accreditation is currently being sought for intakes from September 2026 onwards, due to curriculum updates to ensure the course’s alignment with industry.
Modules
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.
Vehicle Principles And Professional Development
This module will introduce you to the fundamental terminology, science and technologies commonly used in the automotive and motorsport industries. You will become familiar with the basic components of a vehicle and gain an appreciation for how they are integrated together. You will, through the use of simulation software, develop a single-cylinder engine and perform basic tuning to develop the engine power and performance. We will provide you with practical opportunities to become familiar with the basic elements and practices associated with automotive and motorsport engineering and vehicle systems. You will be able to explore some of the parameters used to assess vehicle performance and, through laboratory work learn how to use standard equipment to measure the performance of a vehicle. We will also introduce those methods that motorsport industry uses to enhance the performance of vehicles. This will give you the basic skills to build upon in further studies. Finally, you will begin to be prepared for your future career in the Automotive or Motorsport Engineering industry, investigating and identifying potential career paths and understanding your current position and place in society in relation to your aspirations.
Module code: TRAN43005
Engineering Thermofluids
This module will provide students with sufficient thermo-fluid fundamental knowledge and practical to understand and tackle thermo-fluid concepts for engineering applications
Module code: MECH43025
Engineering Mechanics
Mechanics is applied in many areas of engineering including aeronautical, automotive, electrical & electronics, mechanical and so on. This module covers the concepts related to mechanics. In addition to the theoretical principles and their numerical applications, students will also get an opportunity to verify the bending moment principles in the mechanics lab.
Module code: MECH43023
Engineering Mathematics 1 (Non A-Level)
This module will provide you with the mathematical concepts required to support your degree level learning, including Algebra, Trigonometry, Complex Numbers and Calculus.
Module code: MATH43021
Engineering Design And Practice
This module will provide you an opportunity to understand the advantages of design processes, research, analyse and develop potential design solutions that can be realised from concept through to prototyping. You will document the stages of the design and development process demonstrating methodology and project management skills to achieve the set aims and objectives of the project.
Module code: MECH43024
Engineering Mathematics 1 (A-Level)
Mathematical tools play a crucial role in engineering to solve real-world problems. As an engineer, you are expected to have extensive problem-solving skills for the design, innovation, optimisation, precision, and accuracy of systems. In this module, you will encounter a wide variety of mathematical techniques including algebra, trigonometry, complex numbers, matrices, probability theory, and basic and advanced calculus techniques to develop your analytical ability and problem-solving skills essential for engineering study.
Module code: MATH43022
Applications Of Electrical And Electronic Engineering 1
Applications of electrical and electronic devices and circuits are continuously growing. This module will be a great opportunity for engineering students to understand how electrical and electronic circuits, components, and devices are applied to support cross discipline applications.
Module code: ELEC43013
Automotive Technology And Aerodynamics
The Vehicle Technology module will enhance your understanding of the vehicle and introduce you to new areas such as Crash Protection, Thermodynamics of combustion and Hydrogen combustion engines. The module will also refresh your understanding of fluid dynamics and introduce you to the fundamental principles of vehicle aerodynamics. You will consider devices that can improve the aerodynamic performance of a vehicle, including aerofoils, wings, spoilers, and fairings.
Module code: TRAN53016
Vehicle Dynamics And Nvh
This module provides detailed study of the Vehicle Dynamics and Its Handling process; and how this study can be used to solve real-life problems in Automotive sector. Design and analysis case studies and design problems will be considered, and the applications of different systems implementation technologies will be discussed. Software based modelling and simulation techniques to create complex vehicle dynamics systems will be studied. Industry standard software will be used for detailed analysis and complex modelling and simulations during this module.¿
Module code: TRAN53019
Mechanical Design And Structures
An understanding of mechanical design and structures are vital to multiple schools of engineering. This module will cover advanced design and assembly, analytical and computational analysis of structures, and the integration of materials science principles to optimise performance. Students will delve into complex structural systems, exploring how to design and evaluate components under various loading conditions. Emphasis will be placed on applying computational tools to model and simulate real-world scenarios, allowing for predictive analysis and refinement of designs. In addition to theoretical learning and practical exercises, learners will undergo a final examination to assess their comprehension and application of structural mechanics.
Module code: MECH53026
Electric Vehicles
The module allows you to explore various electric vehicle propulsion systems. You will develop an awareness of various energy storage techniques and the charging infrastructure available to each vehicle. Additionally, using Computational Fluid Dynamics, you will also study a typical vehicle battery cell and evaluate its performance against a given criteria. You will also have the opportunity to investigate critical components practically in our Electric Vehicle workshop.
Module code: ELEC53122
Engineering Product Commercialisation
This module equips you with the commercialisation aspect of Engineering and products. This module will give you knowledge of business and customer requirements before indulging in R&D or improvement of currently available products in the market. How and why is marketing important? What do you find out from a PESTLE analysis and a TOWS analysis? You will develop an understanding of Project Management, Change Management and Quality Management.
Module code: ENGG53006
Engineering Mathematics 2
This module will provide students with sufficient mathematical tools and techniques to tackle a variety of engineering problems.
Module code: MATH53012
Engineering Project
The Engineering Project module will provide an opportunity to design and implement your own large-scale project of investigation, experimentation and analysis. By using the wide-ranging skills you have developed during your course, you will be able to use practical measurement, design, implementation and, above all, creativity to devise and develop a solution based on sound engineering principles. Its going to be an integrative project that allows you to deploy and extend the range of skills and knowledge you have previously and concurrently developed in your chosen course.
Module code: ENGG63031
Manufacturing Technology And Operations
Interested in learning advanced concepts used in modern industries? This module will provide you the insights of different technologies and tools used in contemporary businesses for performing and managing activities ranging from identification of customer needs to delivering the right product, at right place in right quantity. This module will help you to not only develop understating of modern manufacturing processes and technologies, but it will also foster your skills of critical thinking and developing innovative business ideas in the form of new product or process design. The contents of this module, along with the relevant case studies and assessment, will allow you to enhance your skills and experience of problems solving in real life industrial scenarios.
Module code: MECH63057
Applied Automotive And Acoustics Engineering
This module will enable you to work on a range of areas related to automotive and motorsport powertrains, data analysis and connectivity. These are key areas of understand for an automotive or motorsport professional and push the field of knowledge further.
Module code: TRAN63017
Structural Analysis And Fea
This module provides detailed study of the process of Structural Analysis and how such process techniques can be used to solve real-life problems. Design and Analysis case studies and design problems will be considered, and their applications will also be highlighted. Software based modelling and simulation techniques to create complex systems will be studied. Industry standard software will be used for detailed analysis, complex modelling and simulations during this module.¿Laboratory based activities will also be performed to prove the theory.
Module code: MECH63056
Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics
This module will provide students with sufficient knowledge of CFD tools (including Ansys Fluent and Ansys Design Modeller and Ansys Mesher) and techniques to tackle engineering problems.
Module code: MECH63055
Progression routes to masters