Automotive and Transport Design MA

Study level: 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

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST002

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026


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.
Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

A hand clicks a button with a person on

Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Icon of person sharing information with three others

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

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.

Collaborations

Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. On successful completion, you will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive a digital credential from the RSA.

Art and Design Graduate Showcase 2024

Graduates showcase their work.


What you'll study

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.


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.



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

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.

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 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)  
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)  
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 to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*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 Tuition Fee 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.


Facilities

Design software being used on a laptop

Design Studios  

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

 

Clay Studio with students working

Clay Room

Create physical models of your designs, turning digital concepts into 3D prototypes. This hands-on process helps refine form and surface details.

Outside of the computer suites

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.

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.


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

You may also like

Coventry University (Coventry) Students sitting around a table looking at a design drawing

Design Management MA

Coventry University (Coventry) Large spacious living room with simple white furniture with bare brick walls

Interior Design MA

Coventry University (Coventry) two male students looking at colourful product designs on a design sheet

Product Design Innovation MA