Program Overview
Graduates develop knowledge in design, problem-solving, and engineering ethics, making them highly sought-after by employers in various industries. The program is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and offers opportunities for industrial placements or study abroad.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This course will prepare you for a career in both traditional mechanical engineering and in the electric and hybrid automotive industries, as well as in motorsport and the emerging autonomous transport sectors. From 2035, all new vehicles sold in the UK must be electric, which means that the next generation of automotive engineers needs to be trained now to meet the needs of this rapidly changing industry. The development of hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicle technology to replace traditional internal combustion engines is already transforming the automotive engineering sector. The key issues facing automotive engineers include designing sustainable hybrid and electric vehicles that meet increasing safety and performance standards and challenging cost-efficiency targets. As well as in-depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, specialist knowledge and skills are also needed to succeed in this sector. You’ll also develop an awareness of the commercial issues that impact design and production processes. Early participation in Formula Student and motorsport activities has helped some of our students secure industrial placements with leading automotive companies, Formula Electric and Formula One teams. In years three and four you’ll take modules in your chosen specialism. You’ll also study engineering ethics throughout your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of study. Ethics plays an integral role in the engineering practices of today, which is why you’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course. You’ll be taught by academics from the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, as well as your lecturers, covering a wide range of topics such as professionalism and codes of conduct, corporate social responsibility, engineering and responsibility, ethics in innovation and research ethics. The ethics training will advance your critical thinking, communication and creative problem-solving skills which are crucial to employers, but it will also help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you may encounter in your professional life in the engineering industry. Each academic year, you'll take a total of 120 credits.
Years 1 and 2:
You’ll study compulsory modules to establish the core mechanical engineering principles required by all branches of mechanical engineering. You’ll design, build and test four-wheel buggies and take part in ‘The Daring Dash’ competition. Since many mechanical engineers go on to positions where they have management responsibilities, you’ll also develop your knowledge of business practices by studying economics and management, taught by the Leeds University Business School.
Year 3:
Building on this foundation, you’ll explore vehicle design and analysis in detail in year 3. You’ll focus on vehicle modelling, tyre-ground forces, acceleration and vehicle handling behaviour. You’ll also study further engine technology including combustion engine, hybrids and electric motors, compressible flow dynamics, and predict the stresses, vibration and buckling of automotive structures. In this year you’ll also choose a specialist optional module, allowing you to focus either on robotics and machine intelligence or additive manufacturing. Your third-year project will be a large individual research project, where you can get involved in an area of current research within the School and will be assigned an academic supervisor for guidance and support. This year also gives you the chance to work with your supervisor to apply your knowledge and skills to a specific engineering problem when you complete a team project. In addition to the taught modules, year 4 consists of an automotive-related group project, usually in conjunction with leading automotive companies that are members of the Industrial Advisory Board. Recent projects have included: Virtual Testing Environment for autonomous vehicles Design of suspension and chassis for electric vehicle Design of electric adventure type motorbike Build of small scale autonomous vehicle
One-year optional work placement or study abroad:
During your course, you’ll be given the opportunity to advance your skill set and experience further.
Year 1 compulsory modules:
- Computers in Engineering Analysis (20 credits)
- Design and Manufacture 1 (20 credits)
- Thermofluids 1 (20 credits)
- Solid Mechanics (20 credits)
- Engineering Materials (20 credits)
- Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)
Year 2 compulsory modules:
- Engineering Mechanics (20 credits)
- Vibration and Control (20 credits)
- Design and Manufacture 2 (20 credits)
- Economics and Management (20 credits)
- Mechatronics and Measurement Systems (20 credits)
- Thermofluids 2 (20 credits)
Year 3 compulsory modules:
- Automotive Propulsion Systems (20 credits)
- Vehicle Design and Analysis (20 credits)
- Additive Manufacturing (20 credits)
- Individual Engineering Project (40 credits)
- Finite Element Methods of Analysis (20 credits)
Year 4 compulsory modules:
- Team Project (45 credits)
- Electric and Hybrid Drivetrain Engineering (15 credits)
- Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Systems (15 credits)
- Automotive Chassis Engineering (15 credits)
Year 4 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below):
- Engineering Computational Methods (15 credits)
- Energy Systems, Policy and Economics for Engineers (15 credits)
- Fundamentals of Tribology (15 credits)
- Surface Engineering and Coatings (15 credits)
- Engineering Psychology and Human Factors (15 credits)
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis (15 credits)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis (15 credits)
Assessment:
You’ll be assessed through a variety of assessment approaches to test different knowledge and skills. Assessments will enable you to demonstrate your competency in a particular skill, as well as measuring the extent of your knowledge and understanding. They are designed to be fair and inclusive. We’ll use different forms of assessment including written examinations (held at the end of each semester) and coursework that also develops key transferable skills that will be relevant to your future professional practice, such as laboratory and project reports, teamworking and presentations. Assessments will develop your ability to bring together evidence from a variety of sources, and to critically understand and evaluate.
Teaching:
You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes, project work, and industry sponsored fieldwork allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. We also organise industrial visits and offer additional seminars delivered by practising engineers and other professionals. You’ll have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds, who will be an academic member of staff. You’ll have fortnightly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first two years, in your tutor group (of typically 5 students), as well as one-to-one meetings each semester. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Careers:
The employment opportunities in the field of automotive engineering are far-reaching, with the potential to take you all over the world. Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field. The breadth of knowledge and experience, along with including design, problem solving, engineering ethics, numeracy and analysis skills, together with transferable skills, such as communication and working as a team are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.
Other:
Why study at Leeds:
- This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
- Work on your own mechanical projects, putting into practice what you have learned by designing, manufacturing and assembling devices and testing their performance.
- Access specialist facilities, including a high-spec computer cluster and extensive laboratory space.
- We have strong university links with the Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Robotics Leeds, the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Benefits of an integrated Masters: Learn more about what an integrated Masters is and how it can benefit your studies and boost your career. View this video on Bilibili. Accreditation: Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council. This integrated Masters degree (MEng, BEng) is accredited as fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
