Intro

Automotive engineers are developing safer and more efficient vehicles, solving intricate challenges in vehicle dynamics, materials science and automotive systems. They play a vital role in enhancing road safety, reducing emissions and revolutionising transport for communities worldwide. 

Our Automotive Engineering MEng includes a year of masters-level study to develop your technical understanding, management and leadership skills to support your career progression.

You’ll learn with a team who are part of our Advanced Engineering Centre and take part in exciting and challenging projects arising from and contributing to their research. Areas of research expertise include novel engine concepts, electric vehicles and the combustion of sustainable fuels.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code H335

Full-time 4 years
With placement year 5 years

Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level ABB–BBC (128–112 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–DMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

A-levels must include maths and a physical science. BTEC must include merit in further maths for engineering techs.

International Baccalaureate
28 points, with three subjects at Higher level. Higher level subjects must include maths and physics at grade 5.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Must include English language, maths and a physical science.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English preparation courses.

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Course content

Top reasons to choose this course

  • Learn with internationally recognised researchers who part of our Advanced Engineering Centre.
  • Accredited by IMechE and IET.
  • Specialist facilities including flight and car simulators, wind tunnel, prototyping labs and workshops, CNC machines, robotics and VR labs.
  • – working to solve energy challenges.
  • Professional engineers visit to share their experiences in guest lectures.
  • Gain a year of work experience on placement.

Student with long hair in a ponytail on flight simulator

Year 1

In your first year, you will be introduced to the principles of mechanical engineering and develop skills such as computer-aided design (CAD). A major design project will combine knowledge gained in conceptual design, manufacturing and testing, and put it into practice.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through .

 

Student at Brighton Racing Motors

Year 2

You will be introduced to the principles of engineering designs and systems and begin to specialise in automotive engineering. 

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Second year students put learning into practice with the Robot Wars project.

Placement year

A placement year offers you a great opportunity to:     

  • build knowledge of real-world businesses and organisations     
  • develop existing skills and discover new ones     
  • make contacts in industry and commerce     
  • increase your confidence     
  • improve your time management.     

You will also gain the appropriate amount of work experience to reach Engineering Technician (EngTech) status.   

Our students have been on placement with companies including:

  • BMW Mini
  • Cummins
  • Ricardo UK Ltd.
Three students working in the engineering STEP lab

Year 3

Areas of study include: control systems for automotive applications, vehicle design and management, automotive power train and sensor technology. You will also undertake an individual project, often supported by industry.

Two students using machine in advanced engineering building

Final year

You will undertake a business-focused topic and a major, industry-related team project with peers from across engineering disciplines.

Female student presenting project to professional

Careers

Becoming an engineer 

This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Professional accreditation ensures the content of the course prepares you for your career and gives you a strong academic grounding.

On successful completion of this course you’ll be eligible to apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.

You will have the qualifications you need to progress to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. You’ll also need to complete the required training and relevant work experience.

IMechE logo

IET logo

Preparing for your career  

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, skills, personal qualities and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree. 

Project work in groups with other engineering specialists develops your teamwork, project management, presentation and communication skills, giving you hands-on experience that mirrors industry.

  • Build and fight your own robot for our annual combat robot competition
  • Collaborate on projects that reflect real engineering challenges in the student-run Sustainable Technology and Engineering Projects (STEP) Lab
  • You’ll also have opportunities to get involved in real industrial projects.

Facilities for learning 

You’ll have access to our specialist facilities for hands-on learning.

Facilities include:

  • the Sir Harry Ricardo labs
  • a Simulation Suite with flight simulators and a car simulator that use VR and motion platform tech
  • a wind tunnel
  • prototyping labs and workshops in our advanced engineering building
  • 3D printers and CNC machines.
Driving simulator 360
Click to view a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

Industry/Professional links 

We work closely with industry to make sure you develop the skills and knowledge needed in the workplace.

  • Our industrial liaison panel advises on the content of our course.
  • Guest lectures from industry experts give you a feel for what it’s really like to be an engineer.
  • You will showcase your individual project to potential employers at the final year project exhibition.
  • Brighton technology company, Paxton, offers our engineering, computing, maths and product design students three scholarships a year worth £10,000 and a three-month paid placement.
Rolls Royce car engine in factory

Further study

This degree opens up opportunities for further study at postgraduate level.

Graduate destinations 

Our graduates are working in companies including:

  • Rolls-Royce
  • Ricardo UK Ltd
  • Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
  • MAHLE Powertrain Ltd.

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and rediscover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that’s not just while you are a student – our support carries on after you’ve graduated.

Find out more about our Careers Service...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,535 GBP

International (full-time) 17,250 GBP

This course offers a professional placement (sandwich) year in year 3. If you choose to take this placement you will pay a reduced fee during this year. For students starting their undergraduate degree in the 2025–26 academic year, the fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases in line with inflation.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you’ll find new Students’ Union, events venue and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our Moulsecoomb Place halls and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains so you can access all the exciting things happening in our home city.

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Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

One of Time Out's 50 best cities in the world

“Brighton has… all the important parts of a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis (connections to London in under an hour, an array of properly excellent restaurants, energetic late-night spots) … with the easy-breezy beachy attitude to life that makes you feel welcome in an instant.”
Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World, 2025

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

九色视频 is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy – as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our 九色视频 Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

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Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Statistics

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before enrolment so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

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Course specification

Course specifications are the approved description of each course. They contain a breakdown of the content and structure of the course, learning outcomes and assessment. Course specs are updated following course changes.

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