Automotive and Transport Design MA

Study level: Postgraduate
Student leaning over an automotive prototype model

This course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by automotive and transport design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

AHT043

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by January 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.


Course overview

Working on studio-delivered briefs and ‘live’ industry projects2, you will be taught the underlying theory, 2D and the latest 3D techniques used to resolve automotive design challenges within the areas of exterior and interior design. We offer industry-standard facilities4, including an automotive clay modelling studio, laser cutting, rapid prototyping and 3D printing.

This master's programme provides you with the additional option to apply for a professional placement opportunity2 during your first semester with us. The professional placement opportunity is designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. Read more about this option in the 'Modules' section below.

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

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.

  • 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, the future of automotive design conferences and the ITS-UK Automotive User Interest Group.
  • You will be taught by a college 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 (staff are subject to change).
  • 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 printing4.
  • You can expect to 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.

Collaborations with other organisations

Our current excellent industry links with leading automotive and transport companies and consultancies may provide opportunities for ‘live’ collaborative projects, industry visits and networking2.

Although I have five 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.

Tianyu Zhang, MA Automotive and Transport Design student, September 2021
Tianyu Zhang

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.

You will explore briefs and investigate global design drivers, markets and emerging opportunities to produce solutions at the forefront of the sector. The overall goal will be to innovatively challenge existing or future design through investigative and creative approaches. You will build upon existing skills and knowledge and develop professional design competencies that are industry relevant and/or focus on their capability to explore transport issues, opportunities and solutions at a more creative, holistic or systems-based level.

Modules

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

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 studies2. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to support your learning journey.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 10 contact hours per week in the first and second semesters. In your third semester, you will be supervised for your Final Major Project as you become a more independent learner. Teaching includes a combination of:

  • Mixed-size group teaching: workshops, seminars and lectures
  • Mixed-size group teaching: seminars, critiques and tutorials
  • Studio practice and bookable workshop access4

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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 vary depending on the module. Assessment methods include:

  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Practical or project work
  • Coursework
  • Placements2

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.


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 mindset. The studio briefs select a broad range of international brands and the live projects, which are mostly from clients, include international contributions2.

You may also have opportunities to take part in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects2 working collaboratively across international boundaries.


Entry requirements

You should have a degree in industrial, product, automotive or transport design.

Entry Qualifications equivalent to 2:2 in an automotive, transport, industrial or product design-related degree or relevant professional experience.

A 500-word personal statement suggesting an area of potential MA research.

And an excellent portfolio which should:

  • Evidence vehicle exterior and interior design knowledge at a professional level (ideally through placement and/or professional experience) in critical evaluation, creative problem solving, and presentation. Freehand sketching (sketchbooks, etc.) skills and exploration of a wide range of ideas must be extensively demonstrated through project work.
  • Illustrate proficiency in developing automotive surfaces and volumes from 2D to 3D through automotive clay modelling or appropriate analogue materials and in CAD.

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

You should have a degree in industrial, product, automotive or transport design.

Entry Qualifications equivalent to 2:1 in an automotive, transport, industrial or product design-related degree or relevant professional experience. A 500-word personal statement suggesting an area of potential MA research. And an excellent portfolio which should:

  • Evidence vehicle exterior and interior design knowledge at a professional level (ideally through placement and/or professional experience) in critical evaluation, creative problem solving, and presentation. Freehand sketching (sketchbooks, etc.) skills and exploration of a wide range of ideas must be extensively demonstrated through project work.
  • Illustrate proficiency in developing automotive surfaces and volumes from 2D to 3D through automotive clay modelling or appropriate analogue materials and in CAD.

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.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees3 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

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 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.

Design software being used on a laptop

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 with students working

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.

 

Outside of the computer suites

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

Upon 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.

Upon 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.

Career opportunities are considered vast and varied within automotive design, research, teaching and design management. You could start your own business or become a design consultant, modeller, illustrator, CAD professional, design manager or marketing professional.

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates have been recruited by some of the industry’s most well-known manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, SAIC, Tata and Geely.


How to apply

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