Course Level:Undergraduate
Next Start Date: October 2023
Duration: 3 Years
Campus Location: University Square Campus, Luton
Attendance: Full-time
UCAS Code:H330

About the course

This degree offers the in-depth technical training you need to pursue a rewarding career as a practising automotive engineer. Throughout the course, you work closely with local automotive and motorsport companies, gaining experience of real-world problems and solutions.

Your studies combine theory with practice, using individual and group work to give you a thorough grounding in the essentials of automotive engineering. In your first year, you start to build your technical and practical skills through learning about engineering design and application; vehicle development history; and new products and technologies. You then move on to specialise with units in areas such as fluid dynamics and thermofluids; vehicle dynamics and chassis technology; vehicle electronics; and automotive systems and design.

As you move through the course, you benefit from practical sessions, with the opportunity to take part in the prestigious Formula Student Racing Car or Shell Economic Car projects.

Why choose this course?

  • Develop your skills using industry-standard facilities including high-end equipment, machines and testing work spaces
  • Learn from an experienced, research-active academic team
  • Collaborate with local companies either on campus or in nearby company workshops
  • Explore career opportunities through a fee-free Placement Year (see below) with nearby companies like BMW Mini, Nissan and AVL Powertrain
  • Challenge yourself to participate in exciting competitions, developing your individual and team-working skills
  • Develop your project management and research skills in preparation for your final-year project
  • Gain a qualification that opens the door to a fulfilling and exciting career in a wide range of engineering scenarios including car or motorbike motorsports
  • Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience and building contacts
  • If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees you a place on the degree course

Course Leader - Dr Rostand Tayong

Dr Rostand Tayong joined the University in November 2019 as a Senior Lecturer in Automotive Engineering. Prior to this position, he was working on composite materials at the University of Bristol as a Research Associate since 2014.

His research activities encompass Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, Materials testing and characterisation, Acoustics and Vibration using analytical and numerical methods.

 
Find out more about Dr Rostand Tayong

About the course

The Bedfordshire International Foundation Year (IFY) offers guaranteed progression* to a wide range of our undergraduate degrees, for those applicants who do not have the required qualifications or English language proficiency to join the first year of their chosen subject.

The IFY will help you improve your English language level, enhance your study and IT skills and increase your subject knowledge. This will help you succeed when you progress on to your main degree programme.

*subject to successful completion of the course

Why choose Bedfordshire International Foundation Year?

Unlike many university International Foundation programmes, The Bedfordshire IFY is delivered by the University of Bedfordshire and at the University of Bedfordshire. You will be a University of Bedfordshire student from day one.

The IFY offers guaranteed progression to over 75 bachelor’s degree programmes, via eight different pathways.

Each pathway is designed to accommodate students with a range of English language abilities from IELTS 4.5 upwards, and aims to take students up to IELTS 6.0 overall, or above, which is the requirement for undergraduate courses at the University of Bedfordshire.

The course also covers academic skills necessary to thrive in UK Higher Education and enables students to progress to their undergraduate degree, fully prepared and confident to face the challenges of a level 4 programme of study. Each pathway also offers a broadly subject-specific unit in the second semester, delivered by specialist staff from the relevant faculty, to offer you a programme specific to your subject area, as well as meeting your linguistic needs. In some cases, you may join an existing class for this session, further embedding you into university life.

The campus where this course is taught

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.

 


Units

  • Engineering Design And Manufacture (CIS087-1) Compulsory
  • Engineering Mathematics (CIS034-1) Compulsory
  • Introduction To Software Development (CIS020-1) Compulsory
  • Mechanics And Heat Transfer (CIS088-1) Compulsory
  • Engineering Structure, Materials And Analysis (CIS106-2) Compulsory
  • Fluid Dynamics, Thermofluids And Modelling (CIS107-2) Compulsory
  • Vehicle Dynamics And Chassis Technology (CIS111-2) Compulsory
  • Vehicle Electronics And Control (CIS110-2) Compulsory
  • Automotive Systems And Design (CIS040-3) Compulsory
  • Research Methodologies And Project Management (CIS036-3) Compulsory
  • Undergraduate Project (CIS017-3) Compulsory
  • Vehicle Powertrain Technology (CIS039-3) Compulsory

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.

Reasons to study in the School of Computer Science and Technology

  • Specialist computing suites in our £40m STEM building
  • Our computing courses are BCS and IET accredited
  • Dedicated engineering environments & equipment in our new STEM building
  • Our Engineering courses are IET accredited

Entry Requirements

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

UCAS Tariff Points

  • At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
  • At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
  • A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
  • Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.

You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator

Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.

T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details

Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team

Clicking this card will take you to https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Entry Requirements


We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

UCAS Tariff Points

  • At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
  • At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
  • A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
  • Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.

You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator

Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.

T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk


As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details


Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team

How will this course improve my career prospects?

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.

Fees and Funding

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 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

The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.

See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 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

The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.

See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

Fees and Funding


The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 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

The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.

See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 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

The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.

See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk


The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.

See www.beds.ac.uk/intfees

Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk

Extra Costs

Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here.
Clicking this card will take you to /howtoapply/money/extra-costs/

How to Apply

Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.

Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.

All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.

If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS

EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form

International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country

You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student

How to Apply


Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.

Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.

All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.

If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS


EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form


International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country

You can also apply online

Find out more about how to apply as an International student