Automotive and Transport Design MA
Study level: Postgraduate
This course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Course code
AHT043
Start date
May 2023
Course overview
This course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
- We currently have major industry links, and you should have a chance to show your work to industry leaders. Ultimately, you will be provided with the opportunity to get ahead with our Automotive Design MA.
- Working on studio delivered briefs and ‘live’ industry projects, you will be taught the underlying theory, 2D and latest 3D techniques used to resolve automotive design challenges within the areas of exterior, interior, colour and trim design. We offer state-of-the-art facilities, including an automotive clay modelling studio, laser cutting, rapid prototyping, 3D printing and a 12-camera motion capture studio for the measurement of human motion, machine interaction and biomechanics.
- 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.
- This master's programme provides you with the additional option2 to apply for a professional experience opportunity during your first semester with us. The professional experience opportunity is designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects.

Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Designed to teach 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 current excellent industry links, with employers such as JLR, SAIC, PSA (Peugeot-Citroen), Ford, Honda and Renault, may provide opportunities for ‘live’ collaborative projects, industry visits and networking. To broaden and contextualise your understanding of the automotive industry, we also currently 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 a faculty which currently includes 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.
Discover MA Automotive Design student Haichao Li’s work for the Coventry Degree Show postgraduate showcase.
Although I have 5 years of work experience, I have learned a lot of useful knowledge needed to be a good car designer; such as the matters needing attention when designing automobiles, how to analyse and investigate the automobile design and how to apply this knowledge to the future development of automobiles, and how to plan your career. We also have the chance to cooperate with OEMs like Jaguar Land Rover, JCB and Mazda.

What you'll study
This course develops your understanding of the latest developments, drivers and practices of the automotive designer.
You will be taught 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.
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
The School of Art and Design often provides opportunities to engage in external or collaborative activities such as competition/Industry briefs and speakers beyond your course studies. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to support your learning journey.
Teaching contact hours
In a typical teaching week, you will have approximately 13 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This includes a combination of:
- medium group teaching: workshops, seminars and lectures
- small group teaching: seminar, critiques and tutorials
- studio practice and bookable workshop access
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
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.
International experience opportunities
Throughout the course, projects will be set with an international focus, with the aim of enhancing your global experience and broadening your mind-set. The studio briefs select a broad range of international brands and the live projects, which are mostly from clients, include international contributions.
You may also have opportunities to take part in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects2 working collaboratively across international boundaries.
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 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
Fees and funding
2022/23 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £10,600 per year | Request fee information |
International | £16,950 per year | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
We have a wealth of digital and traditional workshops4 and learning spaces that allow you to learn to make and manufacture.
Our Digital and Industrial workshops house 3D rapid prototyping, laser cutters, and milling machines which students studying Architecture to Graphic Design can access. We have the famous clay modelling studios that allow you to realise your transport and product design solutions, as well as a large digital print bureau, ceramic, and small metal working workshop.

Digital Design Workshop
Our Digital Design Workshop brings your ideas to life through different media. Here you’ll find a high-powered laser cutter, printers, scanners and industry-standard software used for technical drawing and environmental modelling.

Clay studio
In our clay studio, your ideas become realised by using technological software and clay. We focus on digital and physical 3D modelling, providing a deeper understanding of visualisation techniques and experimentation.

Computer suites
Our computer suites use industry software used in modelling, animation and analysis. This includes graphic, modelling and visualisation packages such as Alias, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Vector works, Showcase, VRED and SRAMSIS and Jack ergonomics software.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion, you will 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 will be able to:
- Demonstrate the appropriate aesthetic sensibilities through the application of theory and practical knowledge and skills to an 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.
International companies are keen to employ our graduates to acquire their skills and knowledge of the automotive design process. 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.
Career opportunities are considered 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.
Our Talent Team is on hand to offer tailored career and enterprise support, or take advantage of professional practice opportunities within course specific industries (subject to availability and application). 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.
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.
Turning a passion into a degree
Automotive and Transport Design MA 2020 graduate Jimmy Chang shares his experience of the course and why he chose to study Automotive Design, in the hope it might help future applicants.
Read Jimmy's story

How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
1Accreditations
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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
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, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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 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 each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. 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. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
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 2022/23 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.
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