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Summary:
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (H331)
Course Code: H331
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (H330)
Course Code: H330
Where Are You Applying From?
How Would You Like To Study?
When Do You Want To Start Your Studies?
Which Campus Would You Like To Study At?
Which Options Would You Like With Your Course?
Why choose the School of Computer Science and Technology
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
It is designed to meet the requirements of the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE), preparing you to work in the modern automotive engineering industry.
In 2025, our students are participating in the prestigious, IMechE-run Formula Student competition to design, build and compete in a Formula-style race car.
About the course
This degree offers the in-depth technical training and hands-on experience you need to build industry-ready skills and thrive in the fast-paced automotive industry. You first gain a broad basis of knowledge before specialising in rapidly developing areas such as automotive systems and electric vehicles, all while benefiting from practical collaboration with industry leaders. In addition, you develop the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed in this progressive field.
Course accreditation
This course has been accreditated by the The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
This course has also been designed to meet the requirements of the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE), enabling you to apply your skills in the modern automotive engineering industry, especially in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Contemporary STEM building with high-tech general engineering and electronic engineering labs, providing you with a vibrant and supportive learning environment.
- Industry-standard engineering software suites such as AutoCAD; Ansys; MATLAB; and COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Specialist automotive engineering lab with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced automotive engine demonstrators, 3D printers, motorcycles, go-karts, welding bay, metal workshop and subsonic wind tunnel.
Industry links
Take on real-world work projects in collaboration with industry partners such as The Welding Institute and Jaguar Land Rover.
Your student experience
- Start by learning alongside our other engineering students, benefiting from the sharing of ideas and knowledge, then specialise in rapidly developing topics at the forefront of your field.
- Study under the guidance of academic staff who have worked in the motorsport and automotive industries, and whose active roles in research and consultancy ensure the course is always up-to-date with the latest developments in industry.
- Collaborate with local companies either on campus or in nearby company workshops.
- Learn from sector-leading enterprises such as Jaguar Land Rover and TWI through industry visits and interactive demonstrations.
- Enter competitions and get involved in opportunities such as the prestigious Formula Student Racing Car project, designed to enhance your analytical, creative thinking and project management skills.
- Benefit from the support of our dedicated academic success tutors.
Automotive Engineering Subject Spotlight
Explores the innovations of Automotive Engineering with Rex Keen.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
What will you study?
Studying our Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in the combined areas of engineering design, vehicle development and new technologies. Upon starting the course, you will discover the Fundamentals of Engineering where you will develop an understanding of scientific principles in maths, physics and chemistry in relation to engineering while also being introduced to an engineering lab environment. Moreover, you will examine materials and their properties in our Engineering Structure, Materials and Analysis unit. This will enable you to select the right materials for a particular design that meets engineering requirements. Using your knowledge from this unit, you will relate it to our unit in Engineering Design and Manufacture where you will develop the skills to use relevant software for engineering design. Another relevant area of study involves the function of vehicles within engineering. This is where our unit in Vehicle Dynamics and Chassis Technology will introduce you to the components of an automobile, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
Similarly, you will explore the role of vehicle communications and how those systems work in our Vehicle Electronics and Control unit. You will also get the opportunity to produce preliminary designs for an entire power system or subsystem in our Vehicle Powertrain Technology unit that examines various vehicle powertrain technology such as the electric powertrain. In other areas of study, you will be provided with in-depth theory on the principles, design and performance for automotive systems such as those used in racing cars or electric vehicles in our Automotive Systems and Design unit. This theory is closely linked to our Fluid Dynamics, Thermofluids and Modelling unit where you will grasp an understanding of thermodynamic processes, thermofluid systems and the principles of fluid and flows. This can also be applied to our Mechanics and Heat Transfer unit where you will develop skills for the design and application of heat transfer systems. Among other core topics, our Engineering Mathematics unit will help you establish mathematical knowledge and concepts.
Using case studies, you will perform mathematical calculations to solve real-world problems within the field of engineering. Additionally, as a student in the field of computer science you will also be given an Introduction to Software Development where you will learn the fundamentals on how to develop software using teamwork, identify, analyse and model problems, test programs and distinguish between forms of programming and modelling. Finally, you will complete an Undergraduate Project in an area of interest that is relevant to your field of study. You will decide on your proposal topic based on current or emerging technologies with help from our Research Methodologies and Project Management unit. By conducting market research and analysing academic publications, you will be able to choose from a range of ideas relevant to your career aspirations. Some possible areas for research include Computer Science, Electronic Engineering and Computer Games Development.
How will you be assessed?
A wide variety of teaching styles will be used throughout this course. The most important aspect will be that of a student-centred approach and the University will encourage students through relevant guidance to become an independent thinker who can take responsibility for their own learning and adapt to a wide variety of different situations within the context of Automotive Engineering.
The Automotive Engineering Lab suite includes a range of experimental facilities such as an engine test bed with full instrumentation two advanced automotive engine demonstrators various test rigs for vehicle aerodynamics materials and engineering structure machining workshop etc. 3D printers and a CAE lab. These form an important part of thecourse allowing the exploration of many practical aspects of automotive engineering and to further developing hands-on skills.
The course will make use of traditional lectures and practical sessions as well as encouraging students to engage in various scenarios such as managing students own projects and achieving professional output through teamwork.
Unit content such as lecture slides or practical sheets are made available electronically through the University’s virtual learning environment.
Careers
Career opportunities for graduates of this course can include automotive industry for development and manufacture of automotive components systems and whole vehicles motor-sport sector engineering consultant companies for vehicle testing and relevant technology development.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
- 112 UCAS tariff points including 96 from at least 3 A-levels or equivalent
Entry Requirements
- 112 UCAS tariff points including 96 from at least 3 A-levels or equivalent
- 112 UCAS tariff points including 96 from at least 3 A-levels or equivalent
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Virtual Tour
