Intelligent Transport Engineering MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
Cross section diagram showcasing the interior components and advanced features of a self driving electric vehicle

Learn the critical skills to produce robust and safe Advanced Driver Automation Systems (ADAS) for autonomous vehicle applications. Topics such as vehicle dynamics and human-machine interactions are covered.

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

EEST013

Start date

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


Course overview

Our Intelligent Transport Engineering MSc course is for you if you come from a mechanical, automotive, or similar engineering background.

Course content aims to equip you with the necessary technical skills to engineer the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow. You will explore key topics such as:

  • Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) dynamics
  • Optimisation techniques
  • Powertrain electrification.
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Ranked 9th 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 aims to help you:

  • combine practical applications with emerging technologies
  • critically assess the advantages and limitations of current and emerging practices
  • push boundaries in software and hardware development
  • advance sustainability in autonomous vehicle technology
  • safeguard society now and in the future, supporting the goals of the Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles.

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.2


What you'll study

Learn how to apply your engineering knowledge to address the rapid development of AV technology with a special focus on safety, testing and validation of AVs.

The course is designed to develop and nurture vital organisational, planning and policy skills, including presentation and project planning, as well as an applied understanding of AV technology in powertrain electrification and thermal management.

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 projects
  • workshops
  • practical laboratory sessions.

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
  • 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 in electronic engineering, mechanical engineering or other relevant discipline, or international equivalent.

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.

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 in electronic engineering, mechanical engineering or other relevant discipline, or international equivalent.

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.

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


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 per year
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year
Not available
EU £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary**
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,600 per year
£1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) 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

Horiba MIRA

Your teaching will be split between Coventry University and Horiba MIRA. Teaching on the course is expected to occur at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI), a bespoke global skills centre located on the HORIBA MIRA Technology Campus near Nuneaton.

The MTI houses multiple teaching and training rooms, along with innovative automotive facilities. These include fully equipped engineering workshops and hybrid energy, electric vehicle, and automotive workshops. The institute also offers specialised training and test rigs, such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Controller Area Network (CAN) system rigs, as well as facilities for vehicle manufacturing validation and testing.

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

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

  • select and apply appropriate systematic analysis methods to critically evaluate and solve complex autonomous vehicle engineering problems
  • use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to optimise the application of existing and emerging autonomous vehicle technology
  • critically assess the use of autonomous vehicles to address and mitigate societal challenges, improving environmental and social welfare
  • identify autonomous vehicle engineering research activities in a way that contributes to sustainable development
  • demonstrate the application of legal and ethical requirements associated with autonomous vehicles in an industrial and/or societal context
  • determine and implement appropriate testing and validation strategies to ensure responsible development practices
  • apply the necessary study and research skills to support the analytical, critical and reflective requirements of written, oral and group assessments
  • contribute to a multicultural team demonstrating international competency with the necessary planning, reviewing, adaptability, drive and leadership to achieve the required objectives and work schedules
  • efficiently communicate research, concepts, solutions and recommendations, and demonstrate a professional approach to written and oral presentations
  • critically evaluate the principles of developing and proposing a strategy for leading strategic change.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates may seek positions such as:

  • Graduate Systems Engineer
  • CAV Engineer
  • Functional Safety Engineer.

How to apply

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