BSc (Honours) Automotive Design Technology
UCAS code
HH13Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Learn how to design and engineer the technical aspects of cars and other automotive vehicles in design labs and engineering workshops that prepare you for the workplace. Then apply for a placement with major manufacturers like BMW and Pirelli and earn around £14,000 while you study.
Key points
Learn skills to analyse and design major technical aspects of vehicles.
Develop practical skills, basing your studies around our labs and workshops.
Gain a placement with international companies like Bosch, Toyota and Nissan.
What is automotive design technology?
Automotive design technology is the study of the design and engineering of vehicles and their systems. It builds upon mechanical engineering principles and industry standard methods, to provide the skills required to work as an engineering designer in the automotive industry, in the UK and abroad.
The UK automotive sector is currently very strong, producing over one million cars and commercial vehicles and over two million engines annually. It employs over 700,000 people, from manufacturing to retailing, and contributes £8.5bn added value to the economy. To ensure its continued success it invests significantly in research and development projects, and automotive design technology represents a core part of this investment.
About this course
Prepare for a career designing and manufacturing vehicles and automotive components on a course with firm foundations in engineering design. This course allows you to explore and appreciate the specific engineering challenges involved in designing a vehicle. It combines theoretical and practical modules with a one-year placement in industry.
As a student on this course, you
gain the knowledge and skills needed in the automotive engineering design and production industries
develop skills in computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM)
study the process of engineering problem solving
You also develop your ability to design a vehicle that performs its functions in a reliable, safe, economical and environmentally-friendly manner.
Your teaching team consist of staff with doctoral level qualifications, chartered engineering status, and relevant industrial experience. Such a diverse range of backgrounds ensures that you gain a well-rounded education with experts to guide you in every area of your studies.
We have a workshop, a vehicle laboratory and an engine test bed with emissions measurement equipment of industry standard allowing you to develop your practical skills on equipment you will find in the workplace. You use these facilities for experiments, project work and the Formula Student car build. Other facilities include CAD systems running industrial packages and rapid prototyping.
Once youve developed your skills in professional-standard facilities, you get to apply them in industry with a paid placement year. This course has a good reputation within the industry and previous students have worked at major engineering companies and component suppliers such as BMW Group Bosch Pirelli Toyota Nissan.
This placement is a great way to improve your future career prospects and your subject and industry understanding, making you more valuable to employers. It can lead to the offer of a permanent job after you graduate, or a graduate scheme. It is also an opportunity to earn while you study, the average placement salary for a student is £14,000.
If you have an interest in automotive engineering and motor racing you can apply for membership of SHU Racing to take part in Formula Student. Numbers are limited to students with the potential to benefit from the experience, and the ability to produce work of a high quality.
Key areas of study
The course provides a strong technical grounding that covers
design engineering
materials selection
human factors involved in vehicles
automotive systems such as braking, transmission and chassis
You gain an understanding of the regulation and legislative needs of modern vehicles in a global setting. This includes protecting against global warming while providing comfort, safety and performance.
Associated careers
You can find careers in automotive manufacturing and supporting industries around the world, in areas such as design development manufacture management marketing maintenance technical sales.
Our graduates have joined companies such as Cummins Perkins Toyota Nissan CLF Exhaust Technology Schaeffler (LuK).
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is the first step to becoming an incorporated engineer.
Course content
Year one modules
manufacturing processes engineering product analysis design studies and computer-aided design mechanical technology electrical and electronic technology computing and quantitative analysis technology foundation engineering materials
Year two modules
vehicle technology automobile aerodynamics and heat transfer business environment intermediate design and manufacture with computer methods materials and process selection mechanical technology 2
Year three
optional paid work placement
Final year modules
body styling and computational fluid dynamics automotive design and production engine technology vibroacoustics engineering design for sustainability design and innovation management moulding and tool design project
Assessment
examinations coursework drawings models posters reports working prototypes
You also take larger individual and team design projects, which we assess at certain stages and by final report.
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
This course is not running in 2014
2013 entry requirements
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
240 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including a relevant subject such as design and technology, business or IT and including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award.
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