Automotive and Transport Design MA

Postgraduate

Student leaning over an automotive prototype model

Create innovative design work while challenging conventions and responding to cutting-edge themes and contexts at the forefront of automotive and transport design.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST002

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Book an Open Day

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Course overview

This course is for students and industry professionals who want to work as automotive or transport designers, or on exciting conceptual projects.

Develop your industry-relevant practical 2D and 3D skills as well as research skills to prepare you for a future-focused career in automotive and transport design.
Master the use of clay modelling to advance your understanding of vehicle form and proportions.
By combining creativity and research on global trends, you'll address contemporary challenges in the field and produce innovative designs.
Alongside technical and creative skills, the course emphasises portfolio development and innovative problem-solving to meet real-world industry demands.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 1st for Engagement

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Ranked 5th for Overall Satisfaction

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Why you should study this course

Coventry University offers you access to industry-informed briefs and opportunities to engage with leading professionals in the field.²
Collaborate through interdisciplinary teams and work through individual assignments that reflect real-world professional practices.
Benefit from advanced clay modelling, CAD resources, and studio-based learning, combining hands-on techniques with a user-focused approach to design.
The curriculum integrates research, design practice, and the art of storytelling, giving you the skills to communicate compelling design solutions.
From sketching and CAD to live industry briefs, the course blends technical skills with teamwork, leadership, and a focus on innovation, preparing you for contemporary challenges in design.

Ranked 2nd

for overall satisfaction in Design and Creative and Performing Arts

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026 (ranked out of 34 HEIs)

This course stands out amongst competitors because it consciously focuses on designing cars as products. While many graduate programmes offer transportation design, I find that many focus on futuristic aspects and lack a foundation in the basics. The output is often entirely in CG, which I believe leads to a lack of understanding of the three-dimensional modelling skills crucial for car design. Coventry University is one of the few institutions worldwide where you can seriously study clay modelling at the graduate level.
Natsuki Ueyama, Automotive and Transport Design MA, quoted 2025

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Coventry University's Delia Derbyshire building

British Art Show 10 at Coventry University

See work by leading contemporary artists, including 2024 Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur, as British Art Show 10 comes to Coventry University.

Dates: 2 October 2026 - 10 January 2027

Discover British Art Show 10

What you'll study

Modules

Automotive and Transport Design: Imagination and Innovation – 30 credits

Explore challenges and trends in the Automotive or Transportation sector, to reflect on your innovative practice and aspirations. Develop creative responses to a transportation-related problem with a focus on interior and exterior design principles and the creation of design proposals.

Compulsory

Co-Create – 30 credits

Collaborate on a simulated or real-life project created by industry experts.² Work with students from other postgraduate courses in the School of Arts and Creative Industries, applying your specialist discipline knowledge to form an essential part of a wider team. Explore design theory and practice, research methodologies, and build professional development skills like project management, delegation and problem-solving. You should build strong relationships, foster a supportive community and develop a resilient skillset based on agility, flexibility and emotional intelligence.

Compulsory

Research and Ideas: Preparing for the Major Project - 30 credits

Manage an academic investigation, using various research methods, and produce an illustrated report that meets academic and ethical standards. This substantial written work will form the critical underpinning of your knowledge in your preferred automotive or transport design areas. Learn design and creative thinking through research, exploring methodologies to understand end users, and trends in automotive or transport design, and create research-informed proposals. Learn from course staff, the subject librarian and experts who can help to improve your academic reading and writing skills.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

Major Project: Designing the Future - 60 credits

Develop advanced skills in automotive or transport design through research-driven projects. Specialist tutors will guide you in tackling future industry challenges with original solutions, focusing on conceptual innovation, peer learning, and producing professional design outcomes. Create original, conceptually challenging solutions across exterior, interior, CMF, and detailed design. Use critical discussion, peer learning, and project development to create a 3D output and presentation that demonstrates your ability to synthesise research and communicate complex design ideas.

Compulsory

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.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group and individual projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
essays
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Student smiles at camera, more students behind her, blurred

Focus with block learning

Most courses use block learning. You study one module for six weeks, then move on to the next. It's a simple, structured way to stay organised and build confidence in your studies.

Explore block learning

Through collaborations with leading OEM design studios, consultancies and our extensive alumni networks, this program blends theory, practice, and industry collaboration to develop future-focused mobility solutions. Students gain real-world experience, working on live projects that enhance their professional development and deepen their understanding of vehicle design. With a strong balance of creativity and technical expertise, students master concept development, digital and physical modelling, user-centered design, and emerging technologies.
Aamer Mahmud, Assistant Professor Automotive and Transport Design MA

Artist impression of 2 white cars on a drive with 2 figures walking past

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in an automotive or transport design discipline, or demonstrable and considerable experience at an appropriate professional level.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Portfolio

You will need to submit an automotive or transport-relevant portfolio. Your portfolio must demonstrate evidence of your creative problem-solving abilities related to automotive and transport design solutions.

Your portfolio should showcase a range of your design skills, including confident, imaginative, and expressive freehand sketching and simple prototyping. You should demonstrate proficiency in developing transport and automotive surfaces and volumes from 2D to 3D through automotive clay modelling or appropriate analogue materials, and ideally, in CAD. Evidence of your capacity to solve problems, supported by your research processes, should be included. You should also showcase your design development processes. Please provide a brief explanation in English for each project. If you have a non-design background (for example, engineering), your portfolio or equivalent work will be considered on its individual merits.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in an automotive or transport design discipline, or demonstrable and considerable experience at an appropriate professional level.

Portfolio

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £11,700	Not available
EU	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £11,700 per year with EU Support Bursary 2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £19,500 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £19,500	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Your tuition fees cover teaching, assessments, access to course facilities and university support services. You will need to budget for additional costs that are not included in your tuition fees, such as accommodation and living costs, recommended books, stationery, printing and any reassessment fees (if you need them).

Additional costs may include:

optional ﬁeld trips or visits: from £400 per trip or visit
placement-related costs, such as travel, accommodation and any other costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement. These will vary depending on the placement location and your individual circumstances.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Postgraduate Master's Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

Design Studios

Develop and refine your automotive and transport design concepts in this creative space.

Clay Room

Transform your ideas, concepts, and 3D digital models into physical pieces in our fully equipped clay studios. From product design prototypes to theatre props, you'll find the tools and technical support you need to refine your modelling skills.

CAD Suite

This suite is equipped with the latest design software for you to create detailed 3D models of your automotive or transport designs, using industry-standard tools.

You’ll use facilities through timetabled teaching, practical activities and relevant independent study. Access may vary by module, activity, capacity, supervision or safety requirements. Access may change or be limited where the University needs to follow public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions in the following job roles: automotive or transport exterior designer, automotive or transport interior designer, automotive or transport component designer, CAD modeller, clay modeller, Colour, Material & Finish designer.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

synthesise research and reflection to develop advanced expertise in relevant contexts within automotive and transport design practice and theory.
apply advanced skills, techniques, and technologies (including generative AI) with originality and imagination to innovate in automotive and transport design.
design and deliver complex, original projects tailored to specific users and contexts within the automotive and transport sectors.
actively contribute to the shaping of a global contemporary discourse by engaging with experimental, creative, and cutting-edge approaches to automotive and transport design.
apply solutions to diverse creative, professional, social, and collaborative environments using enhanced tools and methods of social change.
apply systematic knowledge and understanding of the role of creative teams in the realisation of design projects.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies including:

Jaguar Land Rover
Bentley
Tata
BMW
Rolls Royce
X-Peng
Xiaomi
BYD.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, guest speakers, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually, but such increases will be no more than 5% above the inflation rate. If you defer your course start date or extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example, to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

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 current 2026/27 contract is available for information purposes only. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes and may differ from the current version. 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 applicable Student Contract carefully before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.