Course Overview

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.

As with our Automobile Engineering BEng degree, you’ll get a solid grounding in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, including maths, engineering science and design, and 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, from 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.

In your final year, along with studying specialist topics taught at the master’s degree level, you’ll take part in a major group project to design, manufacture and test an automotive product, typically aimed at low-carbon use. This will give you valuable experience working in a team-based environment and on-the-job opportunities to develop your leadership and management skills, competencies sought by employers.

A current project concerns the use of mechanical kinetic energy recovery to help eliminate the feel of turbocharger lag in future fuel-efficient road vehicles.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have use of our 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 on campus, so you’ll have the opportunity and equipment to explore ideas and tackle problems.

Our automotive engineering MEng course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). We offer two study options. You can choose four years full-time or five years full-time with a professional placement that will allow putting what you’ve learned into practice 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 an industry facing the challenges of rapidly-changing technology, heightened customer expectations and growing environmental concerns, employers are looking for graduates with the technical and managerial skills to keep ahead of the changes. Your Brunel MEng will give you this and equip you to play leading roles in industry and public service.

General Eligibility

• GCE A-level AAB including grade A in Maths and grade B in one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, and General Studies not accepted).

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions in Further Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mechanical or Further Electronic/Electrical Principles modules AND grade B in A-level Maths (Use of Maths not accepted).

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems, and grade B in A-level Maths (Use of Maths not accepted).

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (RQF) DD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, with Distinction in Further Mechanical or Further Electrical Principles (QCF), Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems (RQF), and A-level Maths at grade B (Use of Maths not accepted).

• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (RQF) D in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with A-levels grades BB to include grade B in Maths and grade B in one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics, or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Critical Thinking, and General Studies not accepted).

• International Baccalaureate Diploma 33 points, including 6 in Higher Level Maths and Higher Level 5 in one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Geography, or Design Technology.

• Access to Higher Education Diploma Applicants should apply for the BEng and those who achieve the progression requirement can then transfer to the MEng at the end of Level 2. 

• T levels: Not accepted.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• • IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)

  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)

  • BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)

  • TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)