Automotive Engineering (BEng, HND, Foundation Entry)

The automotive industry in the UK, and around the world, has seen great technological developments in recent years and despite economic pressures, the industry has faced, it is set for continued growth.

The technological challenges the industry faces in achieving efficiency gains to all kinds of vehicles, brought upon by increasingly stringent legislation and customer awareness, has led to an increase in the demand for highly skilled Automotive Engineers.

Our graduates have demonstrated, over the decades, the competence to respond to the needs of employers and are recognised as being able to “hit the ground running” and get the job done.

Underpinned by core mechanical engineering science and its application to design and the solution of a range of engineering problems in the context of the automotive industry. 

The Automotive Engineering programmes have been developed to equip students with the specific needs of this industry, including design, manufacturing, quality and systems engineering – all areas which are crucial to modern vehicle engineering operations.

Specialist areas of study including advanced engine design and vehicle dynamics will enable you to focus on areas of specialist interest that can be developed in the Group and Major Project modules.

Within many of the modules, the course considers the environmental aspects of design and technology which is transferable to a broad range of employment opportunities. We run a number of extra-curricular activities which provide an excellent experience for all types of automotive engineering careers that can be linked with your project and assignment work.

Our BEng (Hons) degrees in BEng(Hons) Automotive Engineering (Full Time 3 Years; EngC ref 15956)  Engineering are accredited as meeting the academic requirement, in part, for Chartered Engineer (CEng in Part) registration by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 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.

A number of themes are developed throughout the course. The core engineering theme with subjects such as Mathematics, Engineering Science incorporating Dynamics and Stress analysis; Engineering Design; Vehicle Technology as well as Workshop and Study Skills in Year 1.

Year 2 enhances the core engineering study with Thermofluid Mechanics and CAE and Stress Analysis and specialist modules such as Vehicle Dynamics and Engine Design. An important feature of year 2 is the Group Project supported by Management, Innovation and Sustainability providing a wide range of highly transferable skills.

Advanced topics of the above are delivered during year 3 with Advanced Computational Methods alongside Advanced Stress Analysis and FEA providing highly analytical skills brought together with advanced specialist modules in final year project that enables the students to showcase their knowledge and skills gained over their time at UWTSD.

Module List

Foundation Year (Cert HE STEM)

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
• Further Mathematics (20 credits; compulsory)
• Further Science for Engineering (20 credits; compulsory)
• Integrating Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Automotive Engineering (20 credits; compulsory)
• Introduction to Mathematics and Science (20 credits; compulsory).

Year One – Level 4 (HNC, HND & BEng)

• Analytical Methods (20 credits; compulsory)
• Electrical Control Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Engineering Design & Materials (20 credits; compulsory)
• Engineering Science (20 credits; compulsory)
• Vehicle Technology (20 credits; compulsory)
• Workshop & Practice (20 credits; component pass).

Year Two – Level 5 (HND & BEng)

• Alternative Propulsion Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
  
• Automotive Chassis Systems (20 credits; compulsory)
• Engineering Management (20 credits; component pass)
• Group Design Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Stress Analysis & CAE (20 credits; compulsory)
• Thermodynamics & Combustion (20 credits; compulsory).

Year Three – Level 6 (BEng)

• Automotive Materials & Sustainability (20 credits; compulsory)
  
• Contemporary Powertrain Design (20 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Ride, Handling & NVH (20 credits; compulsory)
• Structural Design & Fluid Analysis (20 credits; compulsory).

The course is assessed by a mixture of coursework, phase tests, presentations, vivas and examinations.

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. The ‘Independent Project’ module (40 credits) at level 6 is a Graduate Attributes Framework compulsory module. There are no Graduate Attributes Framework modules at level 4 or level 5.

The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving. 

• Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework

• Mark Sandford (Programme Director) 
• Dr Kerry Tudor 
• Abigail Summerfield 
• Owen Williams
• Richard Sutton
• Tim Tudor

BEng Four-Year Foundation Entry Automotive Engineering

For the foundation entry to our four-year degrees, our offers are based on 32 UCAS points (previously 80).

We will not specify the subject matter required. We will accept A levels, National Diplomas, Certificates, National Awards or equivalent, including NVQ Level 3, 14-19 Diploma and Access courses.

Providing you achieve the points required, one A level would be sufficient. GCSE Maths at grade C or above is also required.

Our offers are not solely based on academic results. We take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration. In such cases, they must provide evidence of capacity to pursue the course successfully.

We like to give such applicants every opportunity to show that they have the motivation and ability to succeed in their chosen programme.

HND

80 points from a technical level 3 qualification such as BTEC Extended Diploma. Relevant experience may be considered.

BEng Automotive Engineering

112 points (previously 280) from numerate or technical A-Level subjects, to include Maths or Physics at grade B or above. Maths GCSE at grade C is also required. Relevant experience may be considered.

Our offers are not solely based on academic results. We take your skills, achievements and life experience into consideration. In such cases, they must provide evidence of capacity to pursue the course successfully.

We like to give such applicants every opportunity to show that they have the motivation and ability to succeed in their chosen programme.

The current high demand for automotive engineering graduates is reflected in the high percentage of our students being drafted into full-time employment or further study within 6 months of finishing their studies.

Large UK based automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers absorb the bulk of our graduates, as do research and consultancy firms. 

Our Alumni have gone on to have very successful careers at such companies as Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, McLaren Automotive, Mahle Powertrain, JCB as well as motorsport firms AMG Mercedes, Williams F1 and Force India.

There are no additional costs for this course.

• Motorsport Engineering (BEng, Foundation Entry)
• Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (BEng, Foundation Entry)
• Automotive Engineering (MSc)

Karl Smith, BEng Automotive Engineering – HORIBA MIRA

"My time at UWTSD Swansea allowed me to develop both practical race engineering skills and a knowledge base that provided me with firm fundamentals in engineering.

Without the support and guidance, I found at UWTSD Swansea, I would never have realised my potential and how much I could learn in only three years.

From my experiences at UWTSD, the staff helped with the extra-curricular activities I was involved in, I managed to secure a full-time job before graduating. Looking back, the fundamental skills I use in my day to day tasks are all based on what I was taught at university."

Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section to find out more.

Visit our accommodation section to find out more.

The School of Engineering has a long history of working, closely with the automotive industry in a number of crucial areas.

We are passionate that the content and structure of our courses, equip our students for success in their chosen careers.

All of our engineering programmes have been developed in accordance with input from industrial representatives to ensure that our students are ‘career ready’ upon graduation.

This close working relationship with industry has provided opportunities for students to undertake work placements and internships within various companies, such as Ford, Aston Martin and McLaren.