Automotive Engineering

The Brunel Automotive Engineering BEng gives students with a passion for motor vehicles the specialised expertise they need to become professional engineers in the fast-moving automotive industry.

Along with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, including maths, engineering science and design, you'll gain an in-depth knowledge of the technical workings of current and future automotive systems.  

You'll study all aspects of automotive development and manufacture from vehicle design and performance to engine and transmission systems to materials, structures and safety.

You'll also get hands-on practice troubleshooting engineering problems that inevitably arise during the construction and testing processes.

Your education will profit, too, by your access to the work done at our Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels (CAPF). One of the largest and most active engine research groups in the UK, CAPF focuses on minimising pollutant emissions and improving fuel efficiency while maintaining performance levels.

Throughout your studies you'll have use of our modern, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, which comprise our motorsport workshop, and 24-hour access to industry standard specialist software for engineering design at dedicated computer clusters.

Our automotive engineering BEng course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). We offer two study options. You can choose three years full-time or four years full-time with a one-year professional placement that will allow to put what you've learned to use in real-world situations.

If you start on the full-time course, you can transfer to the professional development option, which includes the placement, at any time before the end of Level 2.

In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, demand for engineers with the technical and managerial skills to excel is on the rise. Your Brunel BEng will give you these and equip you to play leading roles in industry and public service.

The course aims to give you a thorough understanding of mechanical engineering as well as the specialist knowledge and skills needed to work as an automotive engineer.

Work for your automotive engineering degree consists of compulsory modules and a major independent project.

If you opt for a sandwich course, you'll go on a year's paid placement and put your theory into practice. Some of our students are offered jobs at the companies where they carried out their industrial placements.

Your automotive engineering degree from Brunel is highly regarded. Many of our graduates now work in technical and managerial positions within the automotive industry. Recent destinations include Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, McLaren Automotive, Ricardo, Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Bentley Motors, Ford, BMW (Mini), Lotus Cars, Tata Motors, BP, MAHLE Powertrain, Cummins, JCB, Perkins and Delphi.

Apply through UCAS.You will just need the course code from the relevant course page on our website and Brunel’s institution code, which is B84. UCAS provide full guidance for completing your application form on their system, which includes:

• How to complete the form
• Selecting up to 5 course choices
• Providing a personal statement
• Providing a reference
• Paying the UCAS course fee (if applicable)

You can also view our top tips for completing your UCAS application form, including your personal statement.

Apply through an international advisor
If you're an international or EU applicant you applying through one of our registered agents, then they will complete your application on your behalf. Please note we can only consider direct online applications through agents if you have not applied through UCAS and will not apply through UCAS for this year of entry. To find a Brunel University London registered agent in your country please check our specific country pages.

When to apply?

• For courses beginning September 2023, you must apply by 25 August 2023 (however some courses may close earlier than this, so we would recommend applying as early as possible). After this deadline applications will be accepted only if there are spaces on the course and there is sufficient time to progress your application (e.g. interviews, portfolios if required, the visa process for international students).

Completing the application form

You need to complete the form on UCAS.

You will be asked to provide the following information :

• Personal details
• Academic qualifications (level, subject, where studied, results, year taken)
• Work experience details (name of organisations, start and end dates)

You will be asked to submit supporting documents electronically, so you can upload scanned or photographed copies of the documents on MyApplications portal, you can also check your application status through this portal.