Automotive Engineering MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
A man in a grey t shirt working on an engine.

Develop and critically analyse technologies and applications for automotive transportation and engineering.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST012

Start date

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


Course overview

This course has a firm footing in traditional automotive technology but also looks to the future.

This course aims to:

  • provide you with the ability to apply your engineering knowledge to address the rapid development of automotive technology and the requirement for cost-effective carbon reduction solutions
  • equip you with the ability to design and test vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, refined and safe, by studying the design, performance and operation of automotive powertrains and vehicle systems, examining individual components and entire vehicles
  • draw on the industrial experience of academics (staff subject to change) and research activity covering the major specialisms, such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, vehicle safety, vehicle dynamics and connected vehicles
  • lead you to a career as an automotive engineering specialist in a wide range of engineering, manufacturing and service organisations.
Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 11th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This course will help you:

  • develop a comprehensive understanding of design processes, and generate innovative designs for products, systems, components or processes
  • develop, learn and apply new theories, concepts and methods in novel and challenging situations, analysing emerging technologies, analytical techniques and assessing their limitations.
  • equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to analyse and assess commercial risks, management and business practices associated with the introduction of innovation in new situations and environments
  • prepare for a career in the fast-growing automotive sector with the chance to enhance your experimental and computer simulation skills using equipment and software
  • study all the major engineering focus areas in the automotive sector, including design and metrology, structural analysis, vehicle aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, propulsion systems and connected vehicles
  • draw on the existing industrial and research experience of academics to cover established and emerging specialisms, including aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics, powertrains, connected vehicles, vehicle structures and safety.

You will also have the opportunity to gain practical experience and boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.

Memberships

IMechE logo

IMechE Membership Partner

We are a Membership Partner with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Working in collaboration with the IMechE we aim to ensure our engineers and technical teams meet industry-recognised standards of engineering excellence.

We are committed to the professional development of everyone within our organisation and recognise that professional registration and recognition are crucial in helping our employees and business grow and excel.



What you'll study

There is a strong component of Computer Aided Engineering across the modules studied, from Computer Aided Design (CAD) to Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Multibody Simulations (MBS). You will have the opportunity to use or improve your existing knowledge of engineering simulation software currently in use in the automotive sector. You will get the chance to apply mathematical and computer-based models for solving problems in untried areas and environments.

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.
 

As an Assistant Lecturer teaching advanced structural analysis concepts, I have found Coventry University's rich academic environment has allowed me to provide high-quality teaching that directly relates to leading research and industry knowledge. As a former Coventry University student myself, I believe the breadth and depth of engineering modules prepared me to become the confident engineer I am today.

Maninder Sehmi, Assistant Lecturer in Automotive Engineering, 2022
Maninder Sehmi sat on a bench indoors

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods for this course may include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group assessments
  • workshops
  • practical laboratory sessions.

An Activity Led Learning (ALL) approach (student-centred) is promoted within the course, with group work introduced to develop transferable skills that help you to be industry-ready. Research-informed teaching is the norm, especially with individual projects. You will have access to an extensive list of projects directly linked with research or collaboration with industry.


Teaching contact 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 contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may 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 study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll 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
  • tests
  • essays
  • practical coursework
  • assignments
  • vivas
  • presentations.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure 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 a mechanical, automotive or related discipline.

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

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.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

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 a mechanical, automotive or related discipline.

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 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £11,200 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £20,050 | £4,000 (work placement option additional fee) per year
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

Teaching for this course is based within the Frank Whittle Building and Beatrice Shilling Building. Both locations are equipped with specialist equipment.

You will have access to the High-Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC) which houses a 20 per cent scale open jet wind tunnel commissioned by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1 team. HPEC also includes a composites lab, metrology lab, a four-pot vehicle shaker rig, rolling road and AVL engine test cell, automotive workshop, equipment for fatigue and tensile testing (Instron), motion-based vehicle driving simulator, a fully equipped model making shop, 3D printing facilities and a range of CNC machinery.

You will also have access to suite of industry-standard engineering software (including and not limited to CAD, FEA and CFD).

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

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Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

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

Graduates can be employed globally in engineering positions in the automotive or mechanical field with automotive manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers or engineering consultancies.

Typical jobs include:

  • design engineer
  • quality engineer
  • vehicle dynamics simulation engineer
  • manufacturing engineer
  • aerodynamic design engineer
  • academic in higher education
  • powertrain engineer
  • automotive engineer
  • CAE durability engineer
  • aerodynamicist

Where our graduates work

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

  • JLR
  • Tata Group
  • Gordon Murray Automotive
  • Lotus
  • Eaton
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Honda UK
  • Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India
  • AVL
  • Multimatic
  • Stellantis
  • Skyships Automotive
  • OX
  • AWS
  • Volvo Cars.

How to apply

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