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Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year)

Entry requirements


A level

E,E,E-D,D,D

Accepted alongside A-Levels as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

48-72 UCAS Tariff points from International Baccalaureate Certificates

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

Accepted alongside Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff requirement.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MP-MM

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

PPP-MPP

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

48-72 UCAS Tariff points

UCAS Tariff

48-72

Our general entry requirement for the foundation year is 48-72 UCAS tariff points but all applications are considered individually and we consider work experience, vocational training/qualifications as well as motivation and potential to succeed. The programme welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

Accepted as part of overall 48-72 UCAS Tariff point requirement.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Automotive engineering

Why choose this course?

This honours degree has been designed for the automotive industry in response to the shortfall of mechanical engineers. It is for those who have a strong interest in mechanical engineering and a clear desire to develop their knowledge and skills in automotive engineering.

The course fully explores the engineering, design, analysis and development of modern cars using various race cars as support for teaching. It also puts emphasis on learning transferable skills applicable to many other industries.

From studying the Foundation Year, learners will be able to develop with knowledge, understanding and skills of Engineering-based disciplines and their applications which help learners prepare for further years of study and success in engineering degree.

You can also choose to study this course as a three-year programme (without a foundation year) BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering UCAS Code: H431

Key course features:

You will:
• have access to a specialist motorsport workshop as well as an industry-standard production workshop to gain experience in using machinery.
• have the opportunity to work on various continuously evolving projects. Current projects involve: single seater bike powered race car, Westfield SEi, Renault 5 RWD Electric, Toyota Auris hybrid amongst many others) * subject to change. Students are also currently running a Formula Student team.
• be allocated a personal supervisor to oversee your academic progress and your personal welfare.
• be studying at one of two education providers in the UK that are official Catia Certification centres, meaning that students are able to gain Catia Certification in addition to their degree studies. (Students are required to pay a Certification fee of £50).

Modules

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
The foundation year will provide a grounding for students in all aspects of Engineering and Design in order to prepare them for further years of study.

MODULES

Analytical Methods for Engineering
Design and Technology
Mechanical Science
Electrical and Electronic Science
The Skills You Need
Contextual Studies

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
The vast majority of the engineering base knowledge is presented/reviewed and expanded at this stage. All lectures are followed by tutorials and practical/demonstrations to ensure that you are fully assimilating the information. 

MODULES

Mechanical Science
Electrical Science
Laboratory Methods and Materials
Engineering Mathematics
Introduction to Engineering Design & Practice
Plus an optional module from the following:

Performance Car Systems
Mechanical Systems

Electrical & Mechanical Science *
CAD, Production Science * 
Professional Development *
Materials, Environment, Mathematics
Automotive Systems *

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)
At this level, you will be encouraged to work and learn more independently. We are not only preparing you to be a knowledgeable practitioner, but we are also preparing you to become a reliable and independent problem solver.

MODULES

Business & Research Development
Internal Combustion Engine: Theory and Technology
Automotive Design
Further Engineering Mathematics
Engineering and Mechanism Dynamics & Engineering Design
Structures, Failure Analysis & FEA

Research, Ethics, and Sustainability*
Mechanics, Structures & FEA*
Computer Aided Manufacturing*
Automotive Design*
Powertrains & Fluids *
Analytical Techniques *

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)
In this final year of the degree, the first semester is generally focused on developing specific automotive knowledge. Your individual project will allow you to specialise further in a field of your choice. At the end of this, you will be a graduate engineer ready for the industry! 

MODULES
Performance Car Chassis, Engines & Powertrain
Vibration Analysis & Structures
Aerodynamics & CFD
Employability & Entrepreneurship
Final Year Project (individual dissertation)

Engineering Modelling and Simulation*
Automotive Dynamics*
Modern Automotive Powertrains*
Project*
Optional 

Professional Engineering*
Motorsport Practice *

*from September 2024

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Assessment methods

Teaching & Assessment

A broad range of assessment methods are used; these include task-based exercises, oral and poster presentations, essays and laboratory reports, and written exams. Each module is assessed by a variety of methods, enabling students to display their full potential. A project dissertation will form one of the final parts of your assessment.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, student-led seminars and guided research.

Independent learning is an important aspect of all modules, as it enables students to develop both their subject specific and key skills. Independent learning is promoted through guided study or feedback given to students.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,000
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,000
per year
Scotland
£9,000
per year
Wales
£9,000
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Wrexham (Main Campus)

Department:

School of Applied Science, Computing and Engineering

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Production and manufacturing engineering

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

82%
UK students
18%
International students
91%
Male students
9%
Female students
93%
2:1 or above
14%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
E
D

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Production and manufacturing engineering

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

100%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

62%
Engineering professionals
9%
Science, engineering and production technicians
4%
Business, research and administrative professionals

Graduates are in significant demand, so unemployment rates are well below the national graduate average and starting salaries are well above average. Much the most common industries for these graduates are now vehicle manufacture - there are not enough people with these degrees to go round and so the big employers tend to take the lion's share at the moment. But pretty much anywhere there is manufacturing, there are production engineers. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Production and manufacturing engineering

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£33k

£33k

£37k

£37k

£40k

£40k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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