Overview
Building on knowledge gained in undergraduate study or professional practice, this postgraduate course will equip you with the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by design studios of global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
With major industry links, including a chance to show your work to industry leaders, you can get ahead with our Automotive Design MA.
Working on studio delivered briefs and ‘live’ industry projects, you will learn the underlying theory, 2D and latest 3D techniques used to resolve automotive design challenges with in the areas of exterior, interior, colour and trim design. We offer state-of-the-art facilities, including automotive clay modelling studios, laser cutting, rapid prototyping, 3D printing and a 12-camera motion capture studio for the measurement of human motion, machine interaction and biomechanics.
Our reputation within the automotive industry is second to none. Past graduates have gone on to become design directors and chief designers at Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Ford, Aston Martin, Lotus, Tata, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Johnson Controls, Faurecia, and Volvo.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityWhat our students say...
I was aware of Coventry University’s great reputation in the car design community before I applied to the MA Automotive Design programme, and I was not disappointed once I enrolled.
The courses are great and informative, the instructors are clearly passionate about the subject of automotive design and want to encourage that same passion in their students. The facilities are top-notch and the instructors are always on hand to offer advice or an honest critique.
Course information
This course aims to develop your understanding of the latest developments, drivers and practices of the automotive designer. You will learn to create innovative product design solutions in a range of styles and media, which factor in purpose, usability, materials, ecology, desirability, technological feasibility and professional constraints.
80%
overall student satisfaction for this course
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2016
Course specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Links with employers such as JLR, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Ford, Honda and Renault
In more detail...
Designed to give you the skills, knowledge and expertise to produce innovative and visionary automotive designs, this course has been developed with significant input and continuing support from automotive design professionals.
Our excellent industry links, with employers such as JLR, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Ford, Honda and Renault, provide opportunities for ‘live’ collaborative projects, industry visits and networking. To broaden and contextualise your understanding of the automotive industry, we also have access to the Transport Motor Museum in Coventry and automotive manufacturing at Bentley in Crewe and MINI UK in Oxford.
Coventry has gained an international reputation for automotive research and teaching covering design, engineering, business and media. A former winner of ‘Best Design School’ in the World Automotive Design competition, we have hosted major symposiums on the future of transport design, Future of Automotive Design conferences and the ITS-UK Automotive User Interest Group.
You will be taught by specialists in automotive, transport and broader industrial design with expertise in concept generation, modelling, interior, exterior and design-led development of low carbon vehicles. Their extensive professional experience includes working for well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz, PSA, General Motors, Daihatsu, Nissan and Ford.
We deliberately strike a balance between traditional hand-processes and emerging technologies. You’ll participate in workshops for block material, automotive clay modelling and handwork, while having access to laser cutting, rapid prototyping (5-axis & 3-axis milling) and 3D printing.
You will develop the advanced knowledge needed to function as critical and effective practitioners, able to demonstrate excellence in visual aesthetics and develop conceptual designs in and from two-dimensions into three-dimensions.
- Postgraduate ‘Agile Lab’ developed in association with Herman Miller provides purpose built and designed furniture
- £940K Centre of Excellence in Product and Automotive Design (CEPAD) provides more sophisticated visual-spatial understandings.
- Specialist design studios feature drawing tables, presentation equipment, wireless internet access, supported by a dedicated print bureau for 2D outputs up to A0 size and the Art Shop.
- A guest speaker programme that makes use of our extensive links with specialists and current practitioners – with past presentations from Daniel Simon (Designer, Visual Futurist) and Frank Stephenson (Design Director, McLaren).
- Extensive facilities include: state of the art laser cutting, rapid prototyping, desktop CNC milling, 3D printing facilities, paint spraying, scanners, two large block material workshops, large scale painting facilities, styling clay workshops and handwork shops.
- Computing suites offer modelling, animation and analysis software, as well as graphic and word processing packages, including Alias, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Vector works, RAMSIS and Jack ergonomics software. Visualisation is supported with software such as: Keyshot, Bunkspeed, Showcase and VRED.
Past graduates include Mark Fetherston, lead designer for Mercedes-Benz, and leading F1 aerodynamicist John Iley.
Our main study themes are:
- Professional practice: You will experience and learn the procedures, methodology and parameters of automotive design (exterior and/or interior design) as a professional practice. We will encourage you to think and work in depth on a set project and fulfil the requirements of a client or internal brief. The project is undertaken either in conjunction with an outside collaborator or will be based around a possible future scenario. You will learn about and experience the roles required when taking on tasks of research, design management, sketching or modelling (analogue or digital). Areas of specialist knowledge affecting design and styling, such as ergonomics, design tools, design methods, manufacturing and material selection will be studied in relation to the design process.
- Competitions: You will be given externally-supplied project topics from design competition briefs or industrial collaborators. You will operate within the constraints of non-negotiable, fixed design briefs in the first part, followed by a formative ‘professional gateway’ point where agreed continuation into a three-dimensional proposal is established.
- Automotive design project: This project provides the opportunity to develop and display skills in sustained practical work at Master’s level. The subject of the project will be defined in consultation between specialist supervisory faculty staff and framed as a research question. The topics must be appropriate (in the areas of vehicle exterior and/or interior design). The emphasis is placed on concepts which propose challenging and original solutions at the forefront of automotive design and are underpinned through deep knowledge of the subject area and contextual challenges.
The course is studied full-time over two years or through direct entry to the one year roteway (see entry requirements) to ensure that the necessary skill levels, knowledge and professional practice are developed to standards commensurate with the demands of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) design studios and the global automotive design communities. You can start in September.
You will have a base studio, which is where you will learn through design exploration, discussion, sketching and making. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice.
We provide technical support and access to industry-standard software and hardware, as well as in other technologies like silkscreen, letterpress and laser-cutting from specialist technicians. In addition, we offer a range of extra workshops you can sign up for to enrich your skills in things like sublimation, photography, print-making and digital media.
The course is based on practice and you will have opportunities to work on several studio project briefs, participating in a 'live' design project run in conjunction with the automotive industry. During this exciting project, you will learn to work in teams to achieve a design output for demanding clients. Our recent collaborators include Kahn Design, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, SAIC, Ricardo and Renault. The briefs have ranged from conceptual future designs to constrained coachbuilding solutions in the areas of exterior, interior and colour, materials and trim design.
We have an ongoing programme of visiting lectures delivered by senior figures in automotive design, automotive journalism and business. Recent topics have covered the future of car design and autonomous vehicles and a look at the design development of Jaguar’s Project 7. We will also organise regular fieldtrips, such as local visits to the British Motor Museum, Bentley factory in Crewe and Mini factory in Oxford. In 2016, we visited France’s national car museum, the ‘Citie de L’Automobile’, providing an opportunity for the students to experience in person iconic vehicles, such as the Bugatti Royal, Citroen DS and 2CV. Built around the Schlumpf Collection of classic automobiles, the museum has the largest displayed collection of automobiles and contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of Bugatti motor vehicles in the world.
Teaching methods include: lectures with associated seminars and workshop practical classes.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include practical or project work, coursework, test, essays, presentations, placements and group work.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On successful completion, you should have knowledge of:
- The visual, analytical and aesthetic synthesis between 2D images and 3D forms.
- The ways in which designers work and their role in the design and business process, environment and sustainability.
- Issues pertaining to the relationship between vehicle design theory and practice at a practical, advanced and conceptual level.
- The role of the human as a user of the vehicle product and identify critical user issues.
On successful completion, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate the appropriate aesthetic sensibilities through the application of theory and practical knowledge and skills to a automotive design project.
- Appraise, examine and evaluate the automotive product from a range of critical perspectives.
- Analyse future trends/scenarios and problems of a creative nature and propose original cohesive solutions.
- Evaluate design theory, ideas and solutions against automotive design practices.
- Demonstrate drawing and presentation skills commensurate with professional design studios.
- Resolve an automotive or vehicle form in 3D, either physically or virtually.
- Make presentations that effectively explain an automotive or vehicle design concept.
- Collect and analyse data and information and prepare reports.
In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 18 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 4 hours of tutorials each week.
- Medium group teaching: 4 hours of medium group lectures and seminars each week.
- Large group teaching: 10 hours of lectures each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 20 hours of self-directed studying and practical work in your own time.
Throughout the course, projects will be set with an international focus, enhancing your global experience and broadening your mindset. The studio briefs aim to select a broad range international brands and the live projects, which are mostly from clients, include international contributions. You may also have opportunities to take part in online international learning (OIL) projects working collaboratively across international boundaries.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2016/17, we were able to provide a total of 3,482 student experiences abroad that lasted at least five.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni (HESA 2016/17)
3,482
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2016/17
21,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally so far
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say...
I was aware of Coventry University’s great reputation in the car design community before I applied to the MA Automotive Design programme, and I was not disappointed once I enrolled.
The courses are great and informative, the instructors are clearly passionate about the subject of automotive design and want to encourage that same passion in their students. The facilities are top-notch and the instructors are always on hand to offer advice or an honest critique.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
I was aware of Coventry University’s great reputation in the car design community before I applied to the MA Automotive Design programme, and I was not disappointed once I enrolled.
The courses are great and informative, the instructors are clearly passionate about the subject of automotive design and want to encourage that same passion in their students. The facilities are top-notch and the instructors are always on hand to offer advice or an honest critique.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
EU student fees
EU nationals and their family members starting in the 2019/20 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say...
I was aware of Coventry University’s great reputation in the car design community before I applied to the MA Automotive Design programme, and I was not disappointed once I enrolled.
The courses are great and informative, the instructors are clearly passionate about the subject of automotive design and want to encourage that same passion in their students. The facilities are top-notch and the instructors are always on hand to offer advice or an honest critique.
Career prospects
International companies are keen to employ our graduates to acquire their skills and knowledge of the automotive design process. Recent graduates have been recruited by manufacturers and consultants in Europe and the Far East.
Career opportunities are vast and varied within automotive design, research, teaching and design management. You could start your own business, become a design consultant, modeller, illustrator, CAD professional, design manager or marketing professional. You may wish to continue your studies at PhD level.
Our Creative Futures employment team is on hand to offer tailored career and enterprise support if you wish to gain employment or take advantage of professional practice opportunities within course specific industries. It provides specialist careers information, advice and guidance to all our students from their first year through to final year and beyond graduation, helping them achieve their desired career outcome. Our dedicated enterprise officers also offer valuable assistance on how to begin as a freelancer/entrepreneur.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
Recent graduates have been recruited by some of the industry’s most well-known manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, GM, Hyundai, SAIC, Tata and Geely. Some have become consultants for companies such as Concept Group International and Drive.
What our alumni say
All automotive design tutors and facilities are very professional. I not only learned what I wanted, but it was also a good opportunity for practice. My own ability was greatly improved during the course and after I finished, I found a good job. The course was a smart choice in my life.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 19/20 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the webpage and in the prospectus will apply. If the duration of the course is longer than one academic year, the university may increase the fee for each subsequent year of study but any such increases will be no more than inflation.
Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit from the European Union, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. Coventry University will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time.
Graduate Immigration Route visa – Based on current information from the UK Government, students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
