Motorsport Engineering (BEng, HND, Foundation Entry)

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 are transferable to a broad range of employment opportunities. The course is also supported by extracurricular opportunities to apply the theoretical knowledge learnt in the modules to real-life Motorsport applications.

Our BEng(Hons) Motorsport Engineering (Full-Time 3 Years; EngC ref 15968) and BEng(Hons) Motorsport Engineering with a year in industry (Full-Time 4 Years; EngC ref 15969) 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.

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)
• Motorsport Technology (20 credits; compulsory)
• Workshop & Practice (20 credits; component pass).

 Year Two – Level 5 (HND & BEng)

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

Year Three – Level 6 (BEng)

• Advanced Motorsport Dynamics (20 credits; compulsory)
• Automotive Materials & Sustainability (20 credits; compulsory)
• Contemporary Powertrain Design (20 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• 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

• Timothy Tudor (Programme Director)
• Mark Sandford (Level 5 Year Tutor)
• Dr Kerry Tudor (Level 4 Year Tutor)

BEng Four-Year Foundation Entry

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

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.

Graduates from this course have found employment throughout motorsport from specialist component manufacturers though to Formula 1 and WRC teams. Graduates are now working in roles such as high-performance engine development and calibration and aerodynamic design.

The skills developed on the course are transferable to other industries and many students have moved into the wider automotive industry as well working for OEMs such as Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and tier-one suppliers such as Mahle. Each year a number of our graduates have chosen to continue their academic studies to Masters and PhD level.

It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.

Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, such as major project but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade. 

• Mechanical Engineering (BEng, Foundation Entry)
• Motorsport Engineering (BEng, Foundation Entry)
• Automotive Engineering (BEng, HND, Foundation Entry)
• Motorcycle Engineering (BEng, Foundation Entry)

Steffan Williams, BEng Motorsport Engineering Graduate
"I come from a background in karting and rallying so being involved with the Formula Renault and Team MCR during University gave me an insight into two very different race cars. The projects also teach you the whole process of motorsport, including doing an “all-nighter” to fix the car when needed. These extra projects were invaluable, offering a chance to apply what was learned in lectures to real-life situations."

Harley Gasson, BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering / McLaren
"My job covers a range of responsibilities, starting from initial design concepts, calculations and analysis. The best thing about my job is the freedom of design and applying a wide range of skills learnt throughout my education. I enjoy solving problems from first principles and pushing the limits to achieve optimum component performance, whether that be through reduced weight, friction, noise and so on. The course had a hands-on approach and offered the freedom to become involved in extra-curricular motorsport activities. For two years I was Chief Engineer of the University’s Formula 4 team, and I was able to use the engine from this car for my dissertation focusing on the cylinder head performance and valvetrain dynamics."

Richard Browne, BEng Motorsport Engineering
"Race Engineer Volkswagen Motorsport GMBHI knew I wanted to work in Motorsport, but wasn’t 100% sure in what area. I was leaning towards design. I spoke to a lot of universities at the Autosport Show in Birmingham, and UWTSD: Swansea really stood out. They were helpful, flexible, realistic and their course was a perfect mix of hands-on and theory. My time in Swansea was very enjoyable, and the subjects covered are still useful to this day. The lecturers were professional and most importantly, very approachable. In 2013, I moved to Volkswagen Motorsport, to be Andreas Mikkelsen’s Chassis Engineer. I am responsible for the build and specification of the Chassis’ built for Andreas throughout the WRC season all within and conforming to the FIA regulations. On tests and rallies, I work with the driver to find a suitable setup that he is happy with. It is a very competitive and rewarding job, and I would not be here without my time in Swansea."

Dan May, BEng Motorsport Engineering Graduate
"My involvement with the Formula Renault team and with Team MCR, was by far my favourite experience whilst being at University. Not only do the projects allow some real-life experience of the theory learned during lectures, but it also provides the opportunity to make you more of a unique graduate when leaving University. It provided students like me with real-life experience of competing within a team, at real races, in proper championships. On top of this, the projects are great fun to be a part of."

Visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section to find out more.

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