BEng (Honours) Automotive Engineering

UCAS code

H330

Attendance

Full-time

Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time

At a glance

Get a firm foundation in engineering and then specialise in automotive engineering on a course designed to give you a wide range of engineering skills ready for a quickly changing workplace. Benefit from industry-grade facilities and a one-year paid placement with partners that include General Motors, BMW and Rolls-Royce. 

Key points
• Develop your professional knowledge, technical and management skills.
• Academic teaching is complemented by presentations from industry experts and by industrial visits.
• Benefit from excellent facilities that include wind tunnel, robotics and virtual labs.
• Earn up to £12-18k in a paid one-year placement and gain experience with multinationals like General Motors, BMW and Rolls-Royce.

What is automotive engineering?
By looking at each component in modern vehicle construction, automotive engineering is a subject which deals with aerodynamics, thermofluids, engineering structure/material analysis, vehicle technology, engine technology, engineering design and manufacture, engineering business management, and environment and society.

About this course

Learn the fundamental principles of engineering before specialising in automotive engineering. With this broad subject knowledge, you become more adaptive to the requirements of the modern engineering workplace. You are better placed to tackle the problems faced by many companies whose manufacturing processes rely on co-ordinating individual specialists from various engineering disciplines.

Throughout your studies, you gain insight into specialist subjects including aerodynamic body styling, suspension, transmission, brakes, tyres and engines. 
During the course you learn to use all of the industry-standard tools and equipment needed to ensure you’re ready for industry. You have access to a wide range of hardware and equipment, including computer-aided design (CAD) software such as ProEngineer, and analysis software such as Fluent, Abacus and Matlab.

Other specialist facilities include 
• rapid prototyping equipment to create accurate prototypes of product designs from CAD-generated information and a 5-axis machining centre which completes the CAD/CAM cycle
• a robotics laboratory to study computer-controlled manufacturing equipment 
• an automotive workshop for engine testing
• a wind tunnel for aerodynamic studies
• a flight simulator 

Your first year is common to other engineering courses. This provides a firm base of engineering principles, knowledge and basic skills and means you can change course at the end of the first year if you prefer.

After two years of study, we recommend you get experience applying what you’ve learnt on a paid work placement. This allows you to apply your knowledge to commercial practice while gaining new skills, learning how industry works and earning a salary. We help you find a placement and negotiate a sensible salary.

Previous students have gone on placement to organisations including • Airbus UK • BMW Manufacturing • EDF Energy • General Motors • Kongsberg Automotive • Rolls-Royce plc • Unilever • Reckitt Benckiser. 

In your final year, you continue studying general mechanical engineering subjects, with specialist modules in automobile design and production and engine technology. You also complete a major project, which students often integrate with the placement or Formula Student competition.

Key areas of study

Associated careers

Our graduates are well equipped for careers in a range of industries including • manufacturing • design • research and development • production.
These include specialist areas such as • aerospace • automotive transport • building services • medical engineering • sport equipment design • power generation • alternative energy • automation and robotics • product testing • project management.

Professional recognition

Subject to continuing accreditation, this course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is the first step to becoming an incorporated engineer.

Course content

Year one modules

• mechanical engineering • engineering principles • engineering practice • engineering mathematics • computer methods for engineering design • materials and manufacturing processes

Year two modules

• thermofluids • engineering design and manufacture • mathematics for mechanical engineers • engineering business management • environment and society • automated manufacture • mechanics of solids and properties of materials • vehicle technology

Year three

• optional work placement

Final year modules

• final year project • project and quality management • engineering structural analysis • vibro acoustics • composite materials • engine technology • automotive design and production

Assessment

• coursework • project • examination

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above including mathematics and English language or a subject which tests the use of English, plus one of the following

• 260 points from at least two GCE A-level passes, to include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject to at least AS level. Plus at least one other from • physics • physical science • engineering science • computer science • technology • chemistry • other science/technology subject. Two AS level passes are equivalent to one A level pass.

• at least 260 points from an advanced VCE double award in an appropriate engineering, manufacturing or technology subject

• EdExcel/BTEC/SCOTVEC National Certificate or Diploma in a science or technology-based subject, including merit grades in mathematics and two other science or technology-based modules at NIII level

• Foundation – pass from the Extended Degree Programme Engineering and Mathematics or other suitable science or technology-based Foundation

• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a mathematics-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate

If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

2013 entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above including mathematics and English language or a subject which tests the use of English, plus one of the following

• 220 points from at least two GCE A-level passes, to include mathematics or a mathematics-based subject to at least AS level. Plus at least one other from • physics • physical science • engineering science • computer science • technology • chemistry • other science/technology subject. Two AS level passes are equivalent to one A level pass.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk