Start date
22 September 2025
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement
Places available (subject to change)
80
About the course
Reasons to study
- Flexibility - in our Mechanical and Automotive Engineering subject area, all our degree programmes share the same first year of study, which means you can leave your options open until the start of your second year.
- Enhance your employability - past students have spent their placement year at companies, for example, Redbull Racing and Aston Martin Lagonda..
- Prepare for your future career - in your first and second year, you'll study through EnABLE (Engineering in an Activity Based Learning Environment), working in small teams to solve real engineering problems, just like engineers do in industry.
Our Automotive and Motorsport graduates have realised their dreams of working in Formula 1, the domestic car market and a huge range of suppliers to those industries. Our course also provides opportunities for you to apply the knowledge learnt in the classroom into design projects that lead to real products, so you’ll be ready to play a key role in the future of the industry. This experience will help you secure your dream job which could have substantial earning potential, enabling you to shape the life you want in the future. The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Automotive and Motorsport courses are Design Engineers, Controls Engineers, Project Engineers, Service Engineers and Component Engineers*.
Our Automotive lab has industry standard kit which gives you exposure to a laboratory where you can experience dynamic analysis of vehicles, engine mapping and analysis which gives you the opportunity to build your practical skills directly related to your sector.
*Lightcast data – job postings from May 2022 to May 2023 showing jobs advertised associated with a selection of relevant graduate roles.
Why study Automotive and Motorsport Engineering BEng(Hons) at Huddersfield?
From fuel cells to the challenges of vehicle autonomy, you’ll study the fundamental principles of mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow with manufacturing technologies. These are then related directly to your automotive specialism through the investigation of propulsion systems, power transfer and chassis dynamics. Project work on real world scenarios will then complete your preparation for a career in the automotive sector. EngineeringUK report that projections suggest net growth in engineering roles of 2.8% compared to 2.3% in all occupations. Growth at that level would lead to 173,000 new engineering and technology jobs by 2030.*
You’ll gain practical experience on this course by working on projects that present you with real-world problems and scenarios, all in preparation for a potentially role in the automotive industry. In our Mechanical and Automotive Engineering subject area, all our degree programmes share the same first year of study, which means you can leave your options open until the start of your second year.
During your first and second year, you will be part of our programme: EnABLE (Engineering in an Activity Based Learning Environment). This will see you work on projects to develop your technical knowledge and skills. EnABLE aims to boost your confidence, helping you when undertaking an optional placement in your third year, or when securing your first graduate role post-university.
An optional placement year is available to you after your second year in the course, allowing you to put your knowledge and skills to the test at sites in the UK and abroad.
In the fourth year you will work on a selected individual research/design project with the support of your academic supervisor. It is possible to align this with one of the Master's team projects, which involve the design, build and friendly competitive testing of either a road, airborne or rail vehicle, for example, Formula Student team for example, Team HARE, Team Hawk or HudRail. Many of our students choose to start becoming involved with Team Hare in their first or second year, which is good experience to help with applications for your placement year.
This course is also accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), which means it will help you toward achieving Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status partly meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles, in organisations including McLaren Automotive Ltd, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motors Ltd and Cummins Inc. Roles include Senior Supplier Quality Engineer, Vehicle Engineering Manager, Design Engineer, Test Engineer and Lead Engineer**.
*Engineering skills needs – now and into the future, EngineeringUK labour market analysis, May 2023
**Source: LinkedIn
Course detail
Core modules:
Engineering Communication and Materials
The module will provide you with the opportunity to become competent in the skill of technical illustration using both 2D and 3D CAD. Combined with the ability to select appropriate engineering materials for an engineering component and a design of a simple engineering structure or artefact you will acquire the necessary skills to apply in a design process. As part of the learning activities, you will undertake a series of integrated graded exercises which will allow you to express your ideas graphically to other engineers through the medium of CAD. Basic engineering structures/artefacts will allow you to consolidate your understanding of the role of construction, assembly and detail manufacturing drawings. Through the carefully constructed assignments the module introduces you to the concepts of computer assistance for engineers and teaches the basic skills of 2D draughting and 3D modelling with CAD packages.
Mathematics
In this key first year module you will gain fundamental knowledge and practical techniques in Engineering Mathematics to deal with analytical modules in the subsequent years of your course. Amongst the subjects you will study will be: functions, linear mathematics, calculus and numerical techniques to solve real world engineering problems.
Manufacturing, Measurement and Diagnostics
You will learn how a number of manufacturing and construction processes are applied for the production of engineered products and structures. You will benefit from deeper appreciation of some of the processes and methods through the use of hand tools, general engineering workshop tools, metal joining equipment, measuring and diagnostic equipment, basic circuit design and build of PCBs where you will develop some basic skills. You will learn fundamental electrical engineering concepts and apply them practically in measurement and sensing systems. You will cover conceptual models of diagnostic processes and support this learning through practical challenges in the effective use of measuring and diagnostic equipment.
Engineering Science
In this module you will have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of knowledge and understanding of the basic engineering principles that support the operation of engineering systems and structures through theoretical and practical application. As you progress through the module you will demonstrate critical, creative and innovative thinking through the understanding of the fundamentals of the behaviours of fluids, the basics of forces, energy, power and stress analysis. You will apply your knowledge and adopt a structured approach to investigate simple static, dynamic and fluidic problems through practical experimentation to further understand the scientific relationships that underpin such systems.
Mechatronics
An ever-increasing number of electrical and mechanical systems are finding their way into our daily lives. Mechatronic systems combine mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. This module provides you with the knowledge to select electrical and electronic devices as driving elements and measuring instruments for electromechanical systems. You will be introduced to electric systems and electronic measurement methods and learn techniques for capturing the data obtained by electronic measuring instruments, particularly in computer-based data acquisition.
Professional Development and Transferrable Skills
This module provides you with an appreciation of the broad role of the engineer and technologist in society, including responsibilities, ethical behaviour, and contribution to the business team. It will introduce you to the personal skills required to succeed as both students and professional engineers and in addition, it aims to give you a foundation in basic programming. Engineers from all areas are required to have practical programming skills to support and develop their professional activities, throughout their career; this module aims to provide you with the foundation for this development. The module integrates the development of personal and professional skills alongside a solid grounding in the appreciation and practice of programming. Skills related to study techniques; communication skills (including report writing and oral presentations), problem solving, research, and working to objectives are developed, in both individual and team working situations. An introduction to Individual Learning Plans (ILP) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is provided, CV preparation and planning for your career are developed.
Core modules:
Dynamic Systems
In this module you will cover kinematics, kinetics (particles and rigid bodies) and one degree of freedom vibration. You will learn about rectilinear and curvilinear motions including rectangular and polar coordinate systems, relative motion, work and energy and energy conservation. In addition, you will be introduced to free and forced vibration systems with and without damping. You will gain fundamental knowledge and problem-solving skills for dynamic systems.
Analysis of Materials
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of material behaviour in conventional and bio-engineering environments and to develop your ability to analyse solid objects subjected to static loads in the light of this knowledge. You will learn to understand and explain the behaviour of materials at a microscopic level and appreciate the relationship between this scale of behaviour and the properties of bulk material. You will cover the classical techniques of stress and strain analysis that allow component behaviour to be related to material behaviour. Your understanding will allow you to select appropriate material and component characteristics for particular operating conditions in conventional and bio inspired applications.
Engineering Design
In this module you will focus on Engineering Design understood as a set of tools and methodologies required to integrate mechanical and electrical elements of the design process into a cohesive functional product. The majority of products such as automotive, home appliances and hand tools represent design challenges that require both mechanical and electrical elements. The module will inspire your creativity and encourage you to develop and use your analytical abilities and knowledge in engineering and science. You will find out that Engineering Design is a complex process that always requires methodical and iterative approaches. You will uncover the importance of information resources and computer-aided design tools that exist to support modern design engineers. In addition to the technical competences, you will develop your sense of responsibility as a future practising engineer and the professional work ethics.
Thermofluids
In this module you will be introduced to the essential principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and their applications in thermo-fluids engineering systems. You will learn about the laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, combustion process, refrigerators, turbomachines, heat exchangers, fluid conveyance and flow control systems. This module will equip you to design, analyse and predict the performance of thermo-fluids engineering systems.
Manufacturing and Production Systems
In this module you will be introduced to the major classes of manufacturing systems, from jobbing to mass production with consideration of relevant production technology issues and requirements for systems from design through to production and control. You will focus on the interface between product development stages from design, to manufacturing and inspection, and the dependency to each other. The implications for product specification and design are considered and reinforced through your study of examples involving a practical problem-based approach. Emphasis will be given to aspects such as, design to production along with quantity forecasting implications and the significance of inspection and quality within a production system.
Automotive Propulsion Systems
In this module you will learn about automotive propulsion systems and the engineering principles governing the operation of automotive powertrain units. You will consider both the traditional internal combustion (IC) engine powertrain and electrified automotive powertrains as well as power drivetrain systems. For IC engines you will study a range of fundamentals and be introduced to engine testing methods. For electrified powertrains you will cover: pure electric and hybrid electric and fuel cell systems, including: powertrain components, their characterisation, interconnection, and their control.
This course offers an optional one-year work placement after Year 2.
Core modules:
Aerodynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics
This module will provide you with fundamental knowledge of fluid dynamics in general and aerodynamics in particular. You will gain knowledge in the fundamentals of aerodynamics ranging from bluff body aerodynamics to compressible flows. The practical elements of this module will equip you with an ability to work with experimental and numerical tools to establish aerodynamic characteristics of important industrial systems encountering fluid flows.
Project Quality and Production Management
In this module you will be introduced to concepts, standards, techniques, software and systems for project management, quality management and production management, making reference to relevant ISO standards. You will cover case material relevant to manufacturing and service industries and gain experience of practical application. On completion you will be in a strong position to apply these key industry standard practices to projects in your role as a graduate engineer.
Design Analysis
In this module you will discover the principles behind Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This is increasingly becoming an integral part of the design process and has recently been linked to optimisation methods within many commercial computer packages. You will develop the understanding of the theoretical foundations and limitations of these methods for their effective application in practical contexts. In addition, you will gain an invaluable experience of using state-of-the-art commercial software of this type to equip you with the skills of carrying out accurate and cost effective finite element and optimisation analyses.
Final Year Project
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study and investigate a specific engineering topic in-depth. The aim of this module is give you the skills and experience to carry out an engineering project and introduce you to the process that would typically take place in a professional engineering environment. You will undertake and execute a project on a topic appropriate to your study pathway. You will be allocated a project supervisor(s) who will direct you through the process of project planning, undertaking background research and carrying out the technical aspects of the project to a satisfactory conclusion. Your project will be an in-depth study of an engineering problem and may be either academic or industry-based. You will have the opportunity to either select a project defined by a tutor, or to propose your own project idea. The project work will extend your knowledge and capabilities in the specific field associated with the project topic and allow you to demonstrate your initiative, commitment, and engineering capability to a professional standard.
Option modules:
Choose one from a list which may include-
Vehicle Handling and Performance Prediction
This module will introduce you to suspension, steering and braking systems for ground vehicles. Various systems, associated components and characteristics will be discussed and analysed. The analysis is taken to the point where leading design parameters are calculated. Forces exerted on a vehicle during linear motion are analysed. Drivetrain requirements are established and the characteristics of power plant and transmissions are studied. Engine performance is examined in terms of fuel consumption and other performance related factors. Acceleration and braking performance are analysed for different vehicle configurations, performance requirements and operating conditions, enabling you to understand the performance and handling of the vehicle.
Dynamic Analysis and Control
This module will let you develop knowledge and understanding of dynamic systems related vibration and its analysis and control in machine systems. The module uses selected topics to give you an understanding of the analytical tools applied to vibration in mechanical systems and the ability to synthesise and analyse complex mechanisms. The module focuses on mathematical models of physical systems which are key elements in the design and analysis of control systems through theory and practical examples. Mathematical and analysis packages are used extensively throughout the module.
During your first and second year you will be part of our programme: EnABLE (Engineering in an Activity Based Learning Environment). This will provide you with an opportunity to work within professional teams of peers and solve real engineering problems. Here, the theory is linked with engineering practice while developing the transferrable skills highly valued by industry employers such as, team player, critical thinker and researcher, creative designer or excellent communicator of new ideas.
Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to get continual feedback through weekly SAIL (Score as I Learn) assignments so you will feel confident in your studies and be able to access support when you need it.
A variety of assessment strategies will be used depending on the type and nature of the module. These include reports on laboratory experiments, laboratory-based assignments, and projects. An average of 17%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online).
Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.
Feedback is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.
*based on the course structure for 2025 entry as at December 2023.
Further information
The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.
Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.
If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.
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The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
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Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
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We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
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We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).
Read more about academic staff at the University of Huddersfield
At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.
Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.
*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.
Entry requirements
BBB-BBCat A Level . A Levels must include A2 Mathematics (Use of Mathematics is not an acceptable A Level) and at least one other Science/Technology subject (or equivalent qualification) from the list of A Levels in Additional Information. |
120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications which must include the accepted qualifications as listed in Additional Information. |
Merit at T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing (Core) Full Qualification. |
DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering. The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Science is not acceptable without an additional A Level Maths at Grade C. |
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Additional Information
Entry is also possible from the Engineering Foundation Year. To progress onto this course from the Foundation Year you must pass all modules and achieve an average mark of 40% or above.
Progression to MEng from the BEng(Hons) course is possible if an average of above 60% is achieved and maintained on the first two years of the course.
In addition to A2 Mathematics, A Levels must include one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further and Additional Mathematics, Computer Science, Design and Technology: Product Design or Statistics.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas Engineering - please note that we do not accept BTEC Computing and Operations as a qualification for entry to this course.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.
Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.
Placements
You will have 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.
The Placement team support you in finding suitable placement opportunities, through timetabled and drop-in sessions as well as by appointment. 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. They are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previous students have spent their placement year at companies including Red Bull Racing, Schaeffler, Cummins, Aston Martin Lagonda and Triumph.
University adds to your skill set gradually during the course, but I think the placement gives you that booster so you can acquire new skills and also get the opportunity to showcase them.
Huzaif Banday, Automotive and Motorsport Engineering BEng(Hons), Industrial Engineer, Schaeffler Group
Facilities
Student support
At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.
Research excellence
Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Our research community has expertise in such diverse areas as precision engineering, intelligent interfaces, systems engineering, and diagnostics. Our research environment is lively and collaborative, and well stocked with cutting edge equipment. Our Centre for Precision Technologies is widely regarded as the best research facility of its type in the UK and one of the top three in Europe. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, and contribute to society, which means you develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant to industry. For more information, find out more about our Research institutes and centres.
Important information
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons
When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.
Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons
Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on
If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.
Changes to your course after you enrol as a student
Changes to option modules:
Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.
Major changes:
We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.
Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.
In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.
The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.