Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: H335
International Code: EECU088
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
BEng:3 years full-time4 years sandwich
MEng:4 years full-time5 years sandwich
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
This Motorsport Engineering BEng and MEng integrated master’s course, which is currently accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), has been designed to respond to the demand for Motorsport Engineers with strong analytical and problem-solving skills to ensure the industry remains at the cutting edge of innovation.
- Successful motorsport engineers may work on the design, testing and production of performance vehicles or become part of a racing team responsible for improving performance before, during and after a race.
- Alongside the Motorsport specialisations you will study, you will also have the opportunity to develop your broader Mechanical Engineering and professional skills. Consequently, our Motorsport graduates are highly sought after across a broad range of engineering industries.
- The course offers you the chance to specialise in performance engineering, covering design for performance, construction and operation of competition vehicles, alongside related aspects of materials science, aerodynamics, structural analysis, vehicle systems. We also aim to provide you with a sound understanding of the commercial context of motorsport engineering, together with the commercial and technical risks associated with innovation.
- The IMechE Formula Student project aims to provide an all-round experience – from opportunities to undertake full cost analysis and produce the business and manufacturing case to designing a vehicle and planning a limited production run. Working to a set of international rules with fixed delivery targets and deadlines, you should gain practical experience in planning, executing and reporting on a motorsport project. You will also have the opportunity to improve your digital literacy by submitting CAD models, technical drawings, design posters, as well as a couple of technical reports on their designs.

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
- Regular free to attend lectures delivered by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) (subject to availability)
- Current close links with potential employers in the performance engineering industry, including Red Bull Racing, the Auto-Cycle Union, Lotus Cars, Penske Racing and Triumph Motorcycles
- Study in our modern Engineering and Computing building, which features two Cruden F1 6DoF simulators, a 20% scale Mercedes AMG designed wind tunnel and a full CNC manufacturing centre.
- Opportunity to participate in field trips which have previously included observing crash tests at the GM Milford site and a tour of the Ford F150 factory in Detroit, USA and a visit to the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne, Germany, which has included a visit to the Toyota Motorsport Group facility*
- 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 training in industry standard Catia, HyperWorks, STAR-CCM+, SIMPACK software
- Access to extensive cutting-edge facilities in our High Performance Engineering Centre, which houses a 20% scale model wind tunnel (designed and built by the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team), composites lab, metrology lab, flow lab, AVL engine test cell, automotive workshop, fatigue and tensile testing (Instron), a full size Harrier Jet, three further simulators, civil engineering specialist testing equipment, a range of CNC machinery and a laser workshop
- Free student membership of the IMechE
- Free student membership of WES, the Women’s Engineering Society which is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity society open to all regardless of gender identity.
Accredited by:

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
These degree-level courses are accredited 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). Successful completion of 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) (subject to IMechE requirements).
If the accreditation of this course and/or the modules on this course change, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible. Please visit the IMechE website for further information. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degree courses, and an accredited degree course 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.
- 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).
Coventry University Alumni, Rob Thomas talks to Coventry University about his time at Coventry and his role as Chief Operating Officer at Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team.
Pit Stop Challenge
The Pit Stop Challenge is an activity-led assessment completed by first year undergraduate automotive and motorsport students as part of their Engineering Design module.
Learn more about the Pit Stop Challenge

My placement at Boutsen Ginion Racing
Automotive Engineering student Oleg Karchevskyy shares his experiences of undertaking a placement year with a Belgian racing team currently competing in Touring Car Cup Europe and GT World Challenge series.
Read Oleg's story

What you'll study
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
Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst:
- Lectures with associated practice
- Laboratory and workshop exercises and tutorials
- Problem-based learning in groups with tutor or industrial mentor support
- Group learning
- Formative modelling exercises
- Independent research of library resources, the internet and engineering companies.
The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14 contact hours per week in the first year, second year and third year of the BEng (Hons), and around 15 contact hours per week in the MEng year.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
- Coursework
- Tests
- Essays
- Formal examinations
- Practical or project work
- Group work
- Presentations
- Posters.
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.
Job ready
On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- Analysis of the performance of products and systems associated with motorsport by selectively using appropriate engineering science and mathematics.
- Evaluation of the significance of the properties of current and future materials used in automotive engineering, and more specifically motorsport vehicle structures and power plant, to make appropriate material selections.
- Selection of manufacturing processes appropriate to the fabrication and forming of motorsport components and systems.
- Selection of appropriate design tools and methodologies and their use in producing and communicating design solutions.
- The commercial and economic context within which motorsport activities take place, identification of changes within this environment and their effects on viability of motorsport events.
- Constraints and regulations within which motorsport operates, and their influence on vehicle design and safety.
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Model and analyse established engineering systems using appropriate engineering science and mathematical analysis techniques.
- Synthesise solutions to develop engineering designs appropriate to the application.
- Select appropriate instrumentation and systems to support development and test work.
- Search for and evaluate information sources to identify information essential to solving engineering problems.
- Use test equipment for experimental work to support product development.
- Use commercial software in the solution of engineering problems.
- Communicate graphically the design of a component or system through sketches, CAD, etc.
- Practise general and specific workshop skills to an appropriate standard.
International experience opportunities
The university is committed to providing a global educational experience and this course aims to produce some of the world’s best motorsport engineers upon graduation.
We regularly invite international guest lectures (subject to availability); for example, a leading automotive engineering professor at Heilbronn University previously gave our students a presentation on the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) research and the motion platform driving simulator they have built at Heilbronn. We also provide opportunities to participate in a number of field trips*, which in the past have included test work at the GM proving ground; a tour of the Ford F150 factory in Detroit, USA; a tour of Hirata, a Japanese Tier 1 automotive supplier for Ford, Chrysler and GM; participation on a certificated training course with Altair on Inspire; and visits to Mahle Powertrain, the University of Michigan and Chrysler Building.
You will be encouraged to undertake a placement year or study year abroad after your second year of study* Previously, students have studied at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and Esslingen University in Germany. We have also begun an online international learning (OIL) project with FACENS University in Brazil linking the Formula student team with their Brazilian counterparts to discuss designs and implementation of the vehicle.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £18,050 per year | Not available |
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.
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.
Facilities
The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building house an impressive range of industry standard equipment.

Cruden F1 simulators
Our industry-standard simulators provide a realistic experience of working for a race team in a high-pressure environment. The simulators include the same software and calculations used by professional racing teams.

Chassis Fabrication Facility
This area is used by our motorsport students for any welding, cutting and shaping of materials requirements. It is used mainly for the fabrication of components or chassis design and build.

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 per cent scale open-wheel racing car models, with a maximum air velocity of 45 m/s.
Careers and opportunities
Fully accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for the 2022-2023 intake, the course is recognised in industry, designed to provide credibility of the technical standard of our graduates among potential future employers, and provide the opportunity to enhance your potential future career options upon successful completion.
Where our graduates work
Some examples of our past graduate positions include: Red Bull Racing, Mercedes HPP in engine design and manufacturing, McLaren Automotive, Renault F1 in composite design and manufacturing, Royal Enfield Motorcycles in chassis design, Triumph Motorcycles, Tata Technologies, JLR and Bosch GMBH.
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the 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.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International Students
Full-time 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 an undergraduate 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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Disclaimer
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 2021/22 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.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
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.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).