Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BEng option.

Foundation year

This foundation year aims to provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed in mathematics, as well as the theories and concepts of electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering.

Degree

Successful graduates of this course should be able to apply their comprehensive understanding of vehicle engineering in a wide variety of roles in the automotive industry and beyond.

Focusing on how engineering is used in automotive applications, this course provides you with the opportunity to qualify either at bachelor’s level or if you choose to follow the MEng pathway, at master’s degree level.
This MEng/BEng (Hons) course aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of automotive engineering and develop knowledge, skills and expertise that can be applied to the engineering sector.
The MEng route could be ideal for those seeking leadership positions in the development of new technologies and the design of future vehicles.
The educational experience of the MEng route also aims to develop your intellectual and personal skills and to give you the capability to undertake a practical research study and the opportunity to publish results.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study
Provides a grounding in key areas of engineering and mathematics.

Degree

You will benefit from access to modern facilities⁴ and our current strong links with local industry, which aim to help ensure our course reflects current thinking, the latest technologies, design systems and testing processes.
With extensive links to well-known automotive companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Lotus, Coventry University has a long and prestigious automotive, transport and engineering heritage.
Opportunity to participate in field trips².
On and off-site access to commercial engineering software, such as 3D CAD, Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Multibody Systems for design and simulation, as well as the opportunity for training in industry-standard software⁴.
You will be taught by current academics with wide-ranging experience in the automotive fields. Many of our academics are actively involved in commercial and academic research, whose expertise could further enrich your learning and enhance your understanding of the challenges facing engineers today (staff subject to change).
If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degrees are accredited¹ by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) up to and including the 2025 intakes under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Students completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry (subject to meeting entry criteria and payment of any associated fees).

The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.

The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

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.

I first joined McLaren straight out of university and got that offer right at the start of my final year so was a guaranteed job. The grounding and understanding that the course gave me is absolutely crucial to the role I have now as it would be difficult to do it without that background and empathy.
Ian James, Automotive Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) quoted May 2023, graduated in 2001

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Automotive Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
Mechanical Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

Mechanical Science – 20 credits

Manufacturing Technology and Materials – 20 credits

This module is designed to provide an integrated introduction to engineering materials and manufacturing processes. The common processes which are used to convert materials into all types of engineering products from a variety of industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive and electronics, will be analysed. It covers the four main classes of engineering materials: polymers, metals, ceramics and composites.

Compulsory

Engineering Design – 20 credits

Engineering Application – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to develop a practical understanding of engineering products, components and systems, and of the processes of bringing them into being, including design, analysis, materials and manufacture and awareness of industry and society. It will involve experimental methods and the application of information technology.

Compulsory

Engineering Mathematics – 20 credits

This module aims to further develop your competence in mathematical methods relevant to engineering, while at the same time emphasising the fundamental concepts which the engineer needs to understand, in order to produce a mathematical formulation of a problem. You will learn to analyse problems using appropriate mathematical techniques, carrying out the manipulation yourself using modern mathematical software.

Compulsory

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Principles – 20 credits

The module introduces the basic concepts and principles used in electrical and electronic engineering. Learning is enhanced using computer circuit simulation and basic programming. The module will cover fundamental DC and AC circuit analysis, energy storage components, magnetic circuits and their applications, basic digital logic and power generation methodologies.

Compulsory

In your second year, you can expect to develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with design and sustainability, thermofluid mechanics, and analytical modelling, amongst others.

Modules

Vehicle Systems and Development  – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to familiarise you with the details of vehicle technology and to introduce a range of physical and virtual experimental methods as used in Automotive or Motorsport applications. You will study a range of vehicle technologies and typical experimental methods, develop your own development project proposal and conduct a relevant basic experiment.

Compulsory

Design and Sustainability – 20 credits

The module aims to develop several key capabilities required in the mechanical/automotive product innovation process. Specifically, these include creativity, management, experimental methods, analysis and synthesis, and the application of information technology tools. The aim will be met by tackling product innovation projects, the scale of which will increase through the year.

Compulsory

Solid Mechanics and Dynamics – 20 credits

This module aims to build upon the basic principles covered in mechanical science and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of rigid body mechanics, dynamics and stress analysis. It should teach you to correctly apply solid mechanics and dynamics theory to design problems by means of practical examples.

Compulsory

Thermofluid Mechanics – 20 credits

Analytical Modelling – 20 credits

Engineering Management – 20 credits

The module aims to develop your holistic knowledge and understanding of engineering management. It will enable you to apply theory, exercise judgement, utilise relevant analytical tools and techniques and work in project teams to solve a range of engineering management problems.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Your final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from previous years. You should develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with automotive product innovation, electrical vehicles and material analysis, amongst others.

Modules

BEng Compulsory Modules

Professional Development and Project Planning – 20 credits
This module aims to equip you with the generic skills and knowledge to contribute effectively in your professional career. You should gain an understanding of project-based planning and delivery, sustainability and the environment, ethical practice and professionalism, as well as an appreciation of how your chosen specialism might fit into the overall context of engineering and the wider social, legal and physical environments.

Individual Project – 20 credits
The individual final year project is an important part of any engineering course. The general aims of the project are:

to give you a realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at a professional level
to be a vehicle for integrating the knowledge gained in several subject areas of the degree course
to allow you to develop personal qualities such as initiative, imagination, creativity, communication, organisation, employ IT effectively and solve non-routine problems.

Automotive Product Innovation – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop and demonstrate your capability in undertaking a complete automotive product innovation process, working as a member of a team. This will progress from a clear definition of need, to concept generation, and will include a review of available technologies and a selection of the most appropriate. Issues of detailed embodiment design and of implementation in the marketplace will be covered, as will commercial viability.

Automotive Powertrain – 20 credits
The module provides you with a thorough understanding of powertrain systems in the automotive domain. The topics will focus on the different propulsion and drivetrain systems in use, the energy management and control strategy theories. You will study the four-stroke engine covering the essential areas and combustion models, e.g. Wiebe models. Drivetrain and control systems will also be introduced.

Automotive Vehicle Dynamics and Aerodynamics – 20 credits
You will learn about the underlying principles governing the flow behaviour associated with ground vehicles aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.
For the aerodynamics, this will encompass experimental and numerical techniques to generate the necessary data to analyse the aerodynamic performance of vehicles, and critically evaluate the findings for the flow patterns around the body.
For vehicle dynamics, your understanding of the motion of the vehicle will be explored from the ground up, looking at tyres through to how they are affected by the suspension and ultimately, impact the ride and handling of the vehicle.

Compulsory

BEng Optional Modules

Choose one from the following five modules:

Finite Element Analysis and Vehicle Structures – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concept of vehicle safety, including its place within the vehicle design process and occupant injury processing. You will be exposed to the latest rules and legislations, as well as an introduction to impact modelling.

Vehicle Refinement, Durability and Reliability – 20 credits
Your learning will focus on evaluating the vehicle structure to assess its static and dynamic properties in relation to vehicle refinement, durability and reliability. Making sure the vehicle and its systems are fit for purpose is critical in the design process, to ensure the vehicle will be successful in the market. This includes customer expectations and requirements for how they feel in the car, how it operates and how long for.

Computational Thermofluids – 20 credits
In this module, you will apply reasonable assumptions and boundary conditions to simplify the differential equations governing the heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena, to develop analytical solutions to thermofluid problems. The concept and use of computational thermofluid mechanics as numerical and validation techniques to solve more complex thermofluid problems, are introduced.

Materials Analysis and Advanced Manufacturing – 20 credits
You will develop an understanding of materials and manufacturing technology and its application, in the design and analysis of products for the automotive and aerospace industrial sectors. Particular emphasis is placed on advanced techniques in the manufacture of engineering components and supporting material properties that facilitate bespoke fabrication.

Electric Vehicle and Future Transport – 20 credits
This module aims to introduce an understanding of the safety, design and operation principles of the powertrain technology of electric vehicles. The overall purpose is to enable your understanding of the necessity for cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary working practices, to successfully and sustainably design and engineer electric vehicles of the future.

Optional

MEng Compulsory Modules

Engineering Strategy and Professional Practice – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to prepare you for the essential skills and knowledge required for professional registration and practice. The module will introduce you to key competencies required for your professional career.

Individual Project Proposal – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with the core research skills needed to effectively plan an engineering project. You can expect to learn and put into practice, the skills involved to undertake a major research project. Working within an intellectual and ethical engineering framework, you will seek to learn how to identify a chosen specialism and research area, how to define a novel problem and how to identify the steps to solve this using suitable engineering tools⁴.

Individual Project Dissertation – 20 credits
The individual final-year project is an important part of any engineering course. The general aims of the project are:

to give you a realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at a professional level
to be a vehicle for integrating the knowledge gained in several subject areas of the degree course and critically evaluate the impact on your investigations
to allow you to develop your personal qualities such as initiative, imagination, creativity, communication and organisation.

Further Automotive Powertrain – 20 credits
This module aims to give you a thorough understanding of powertrain systems in the automotive domain. Different propulsion and drivetrain systems in use, as well as the energy management and control strategy theories, will be covered in the module. You will study the four-stroke engine covering the essential areas and combustion models (Wiebe). Drivetrain will be introduced and control systems will be expanded upon. They will use a selection of industry-standard software systems (GT-Power and MATLAB Simulink) to enhance your understanding of the further performance criteria⁴.

Automotive Vehicle Dynamics and Aerodynamics – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to further explore and investigate the underlying principles governing the flow behaviour associated with ground vehicles aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.

Compulsory

MEng Optional Modules

Choose one from the following five modules:

Finite Element Analysis and Vehicle Structures – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concept of vehicle safety, including its place within the vehicle design process and occupant injury processing. You will be exposed to the latest rules and legislations, as well as an introduction to impact modelling.

Vehicle Refinement, Durability and Reliability – 20 credits
Your learning will focus on evaluating the vehicle structure to assess its static and dynamic properties in relation to vehicle refinement, durability and reliability. Making sure the vehicle and its systems are fit for purpose is critical in the design process, to ensure the vehicle will be successful in the market. This includes customer expectations and requirements for how they feel in the car, how it operates and how long for.

Computational Thermofluids – 20 credits
In this module, you will apply reasonable assumptions and boundary conditions to simplify the differential equations governing the heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena, to develop analytical solutions to thermofluid problems. The concept and use of computational thermofluid mechanics as numerical and validation techniques to solve more complex thermofluid problems, are introduced.

Materials Analysis and Advanced Manufacturing – 20 credits
You will develop an understanding of materials and manufacturing technology and its application, in the design and analysis of products for the automotive and aerospace industrial sectors. Particular emphasis is placed on advanced techniques in the manufacture of engineering components and supporting material properties that facilitate bespoke fabrication.

Electric Vehicle and Future Transport – 20 credits
This module aims to introduce an understanding of the safety, design and operation principles of the powertrain technology of electric vehicles. The overall purpose is to enable your understanding of the necessity for cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary working practices, to successfully and sustainably design and engineer electric vehicles of the future.

Optional

Your additional year of study expects you to build on your knowledge and experience and study subjects in more depth.

Modules

Industrial Group Project Proposal – 20 credits

The aim of this module is for you, working in a group, to formulate a project proposal based on the research and/or development of an innovative design for a product, system, component or process that will fulfil new needs. In doing so, you will need to assess current industry practice, review background literature, formulate an appropriate approach, evaluate and mitigate risk, and establish the proposed work scope and deliverables.

Compulsory

Industrial Group Project Dissertation – 40 credits

Business Innovation and Sustainability – 20 credits

This module is designed to provide you with the ability to develop and implement business innovation practices within the appropriate frameworks, to comply with current and future requirements for sustainability. You will be introduced to and then expected to develop a firm understanding of the theory, practices and importance of innovation in business organisations.

Compulsory

Pathway Modules

Choose one of the following pathways:

Pathway 1 - Analysis

Engineering Simulation and Analysis – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop a mathematical and practical understanding of the analytical techniques commonly used to evaluate and optimise engineering products, components and systems. A deep understanding of the role of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) in particular, as well as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in the engineering design and development processes, should be developed through extensive practical application.
Structures, Safety and Impact Analysis – 20 credits
You will aim to develop your understanding of automotive crashworthiness simulation applied to full vehicles and components. The role of CAE and FEA software in the engineering design and development processes will be explained from a mathematical perspective.

Pathway 2 - Dynamics

Vehicle Development and Analysis – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop your capability in the planning, management, running and data analysis of experimental methods that are commonly used throughout the automotive and motorsport industry. You will also study the management of experimental and developmental projects including time, costs, resources and facilities.
Advanced Ground Vehicle Dynamics and Aerodynamics – 20 credits
You will build on prior knowledge and delve further into the subjects of aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics. This will be achieved through advanced simulation and analysis, built on data from practical tests in the labs to validate models, prove fidelity and understand where compromise in design is needed, to ensure design targets are met for a range of different applications.

Pathway 3 - Powertrain

Vehicle Development and Analysis – 20 credits
This module aims to develop your capability in the planning, management, running and data analysis of experimental methods, that are commonly used throughout the automotive and motorsport industry. You will also study the management of experimental and developmental projects including time, costs, resources and facilities.
Advanced Powertrain – 20 credits
You can expect to learn how to critically analyse the major aspects of different motorsport propulsion and drivetrain systems. You will extend your knowledge of control and powertrain systems into the areas of engine performance and its relation to engine sizing and transmission.

Optional

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

Fundamental Pure Mathematics – 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments. Concepts covered include basic algebraic properties, trigonometry, computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, an introduction to calculus including computation of limits derivatives and integrals. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Fundamental Applied Mathematics – 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments. Concepts covered include computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, complex numbers, application of matrices and determinant, application of vectors, application of differentiation and integration, and use of a computer software to solve a scientific problem. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Fundamentals – 30 credits

This module aims to introduce you to the basic analysis and design of electric circuits using DC and AC power sources. To prepare you for this we will discuss the laws of electric circuits and electrical engineering. Assisted by our professional academics, you’ll have the opportunity to work with industry-standard software⁴ to analyse techniques and identify and solve problems on electrical circuits. You’ll also learn the basic laws of magnetism as applied to electrical circuits.

Compulsory

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals – 30 credits

This module delves into the fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and concepts. Underpinned by the application of mathematics and physics, concepts covered include fundamentals of energy, design, manufacturing, materials and engineering mechanics. In addition, you’ll look to gain specific knowledge in mechanics, transport phenomena and thermodynamics.

Compulsory

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 foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

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'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

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

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include:

formal examinations
phase tests
essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
exams
individual assignments.

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.

Our activity-led learning approach means you will be given opportunities to work with staff on real-world problems from industry (subject to availability), commerce and research groups, as you would in professional practice.

This approach means you have an opportunity to develop professional skills at the same time as learning the technical content of your degree.

Practical project work may, for example, involve manufacturing prototypes with 3D printing, reverse engineering of current and past products to produce 3D scanning to create engineering data and geometry to create design models, which can then be used through CAM software to generate CNC machining programs, ready to produce physical products⁴.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

Teaching contact hours

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

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'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

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 will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

individual coursework
group coursework
exams
tests
presentations
reports
projects
vivas
core assessments (these are pass/fail and can be attempted multiple times).

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

The university is committed to providing a global educational experience. We aim to invite international guest speakers (subject to availability) and provide opportunities to participate in field trips where possible².

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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 UK (home) students, if Parliament permits 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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above 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.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Applies to degree only:

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).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.

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 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

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 24/7 in term-time, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

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.

The Sir Frank Whittle building houses an impressive range of industry-leading equipment. Home to flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility and wind tunnels, the High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC) also houses a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines, a full-size vehicle shaker rig and a composite material laboratory.

Cruden F1 simulator

The simulator provides a realistic experience of working for a race team in a high pressured and realistic environment. The simulator includes the same software and calculations used by professional racing teams.

Metals Workshop

Participate in technical work in a hands-on way. The workshop includes lathes, milling machines, fabrication equipment for sheet metal work, CNC machines, work benches, welding lines and a fitting assembly area.

Wind Tunnel

Built and tested by the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team, our open jet single return wind tunnel has been designed to accommodate 20% scale open-wheel racing car models with a maximum air velocity of 45 m/s.

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

Upon successful completion of the BEng (Hons) and MEng courses, you should be able to:

apply the necessary study and research skills to support the analytical, critical and reflective requirements of written, oral and group assessments
contribute to a team with the necessary planning, reviewing, adaptability, drive and leadership to achieve the required objectives and observe work schedules
design, optimise and communicate the performance of a vehicle; though the application of vehicle systems knowledge to achieve the performance, safety, sustainability and cost requirements of the automotive industry
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, theories and practices found in engineering management and leadership, consultancy and entrepreneurship
develop independent learning and problem-solving skills appropriate to current and future study and employment
apply engineering principles, science, mathematics, processes, materials, design and management to solve problems of increasing complexity
apply engineering analysis methods when solving complex problems and develop extended experience in solving problems related to a broad range of engineering systems and components
generate and appropriately communicate, design solutions through the application and comprehensive understanding of the engineering design processes
critically assess data and information using practical laboratory skills, experimentation and research, and establish the effect on design
understand risk assessment and the need for professional and ethical conduct in commercial and social contexts, informed by a knowledge of sustainable development and the regulations/legislations governing engineering activities
understand and evaluate a range of appropriate engineering materials, components and systems, identifying their limitations and likely developments.

Additionally, upon successful completion of the MEng course, you should be able to:

apply a comprehensive understanding of automotive engineering principles together with a critical awareness of current issues at the forefront of the specialism
apply and evaluate engineering analysis methods when solving complex problems and assess their limitations, especially when applied to new or unfamiliar technology
generate and appraise innovative design solutions through the application and comprehensive understanding of the engineering design processes
critically assess data and information that may be uncertain or incomplete and quantify the effect on design using practical laboratory skills and experimental research
critically appraise management, business and ethical practice and their limitations, informed by a knowledge of sustainable development, customer requirements and the regulations/legislations governing engineering activities in commercial, social and international contexts
critically evaluate a range of current and emerging engineering materials, components and systems, identifying their limitations and likely developments/adaptations together with commercial and industrial constraint.

Industry-related projects completed during your studies should give you a feel of what the demands and expectations will be in the workplace, as well as supporting you to practice and apply your skills to real engineering projects.

You can also expect to gain practical, hands-on experience in preparing, running and analysing results from experimental testing and numerical analysis. Past students have experienced projects with Honda, in new product introduction; Aston Martin, in special vehicle projects data acquisition; NP Aerospace, working on the new range of military vehicles; Eaton Trucks, in gearbox design; McLaren Automotive, in software test and evaluation; BMW, in-vehicle trim and materials and Cummins Engines, on engine development and build.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aim to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Past graduates have found graduate roles in companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Technologies, Lotus Cars, Mercedes F1, Aston Martin, BAE, Meggit, Arrrowsmith, Rolls Royce Aero, Quest, Triumph Motorbikes, Heathrow Airport and IATA, amongst others.

Further study

Automotive Engineering MSc

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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