Automotive Engineering MEng

Overview

The Brunel Automotive Engineering MEng gives students interested in pursuing careers in automobile engineering an extra year of advanced study and training that will deepen their knowledge of the subject, expand their skill sets and put them on a fast-track to becoming a chartered engineer.

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, by 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 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.

At the end their final year, engineering and maths students are invited to showcase their project work at Brunel Engineers +, an event that both celebrates their achievements and gives them the chance to network with industry figures and employers. This video shows some of the projects exhibited at the 2024 Brunel Engineers + event, with explanations by the students themselves.

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). (NB: we are seeking accreditation for the with-placement route). We offer two study options. You can choose four years full-time or five years full-time with a professional placement that will allow to put what you’ve learned into practice in real-world situations.

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.

"Recognise your skill set, no matter what course you are doing, work out how you are translating that course to real life business." - Sachin Patel
"My passion for robotics and sustainable technology really came to life during my PhD at Brunel, where I focused on the intersection of advancing 3D printing and sustainable construction materials." - Dr Abdulrahman Albar
"It provided a sound technical background but more importantly the Sandwich Degree gave me more relevant industrial experience on graduation than many of my peers." - David Fowles
"Brunel provided the opportunity for me to go on an industrial placement during my course, which gave me a wealth of experience and aided in my continued employment with the company." - Matt Price
"Recognise your skill set, no matter what course you are doing, work out how you are translating that course to real life business." - Sachin Patel
"My passion for robotics and sustainable technology really came to life during my PhD at Brunel, where I focused on the intersection of advancing 3D printing and sustainable construction materials." - Dr Abdulrahman Albar

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Course content

The course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of mechanical engineering, specialist training in automotive engineering and a fast-track route to qualification as a chartered engineer.

Your Automotive Engineering MEng degree consists of compulsory modules and major independent and group projects.

Year 1

Compulsory

Engineering Mathematics and Programming I
Aims: To develop students’ ability to understand and apply fundamental methods of engineering mathematics; to introduce the use of programming in engineering, and develop students’ ability to represent and solve problems algorithmically.
Engineering Mathematics and Programming II
Aims: To develop students’ ability to understand and apply fundamental methods of engineering mathematics; to introduce the use of programming in engineering, and develop students’ ability to represent and solve problems algorithmically.
Engineering Practice
Aims: to develop the skills required by students studying in all engineering disciplines, thereby supporting their journey through higher education and into their professional life with the intention of maximising their employability.

Skills development in the following areas will be addressed: problem solving; personal development; professional development; career planning; basic engineering design; introductory project management; communication; working in inclusive teams; health and safety and security.
Engineering Systems and Energy 1
Aims: to provide a grounding in concepts of measurement and uncertainty; to provide knowledge about applied physics relations that govern engineering systems within their boundaries and via their variables of interaction and to establish the ability to define system boundaries and apply relevant, simple models.
Engineering Systems and Energy 2
Aims: To provide a grounding in concepts of measurement and uncertainty; to provide knowledge about applied physics relations that govern engineering systems within their boundaries and via their variables of interaction; to establish ability to define system boundaries and apply relevant simple models.
Engineering Mechanics - Statics
Aims: To provide a grounding in the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics; to provide knowledge and understanding of Newton’s laws and their application for the solution of static problems; to provide experience and confidence in problem-solving.
Mechanical Engineering Science
Aims: To present principles governing the mechanics of solid bodies under static condition; to present interpret and apply concepts and theories of classical engineering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to engineering systems; to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in modelling and analysing engineering problems; to achieve an appreciation of laboratory instrumentation and data analysis.
Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics
Aim: To provide a grounding in the fundamental principles of engineering mechanics - dynamics of rigid bodies; to provide experience and confidence in problems solving.

Year 2

Compulsory

Dynamics of Machines
This module helps to establish a foundation for vibration analysis and machine dynamics. It will introduce analytical and graphical methods for mechanism analysis and synthesis.
Design Process for Machine Elements, Manufacturing Processes, Materials and CAD
This module introduces relevant mechanical components, assemblies in an engineering design context and Computer Aided Design (CAD). Students learn to consolidate the disciplines of materials science, materials engineering and modern manufacturing processes.
Engineering Business (Core)
This module helps to develop and demonstrate an understanding of project management by working as part of a team to research and plan a project and enhances student preparedness for work placement and employment.
Fluid Mechanics
This module aims to deepen the understanding of fundamental fluid mechanics and introduce the basics of aerodynamics; compressible fluids. Students will learn basics of Computational Fluid Mechanics - CFD.
Solid Mechanics and Intro to FEA
This module helps to establish a solid foundation for the analysis of solids and structures based on the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics. Students learn to link models and engineering applications with a range of real-life examples, experimental testing and comparative analysis of experimental measurements and theoretical results.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
This module introduces new fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and apply to relevant thermal power and heating/cooling systems. Students learn basic concepts of heat transfer.
Vehicle Design and Performance
This module aims to enable students to critically analyse and design key road vehicle components and systems suitable for the target manufacturing volume. Students will characterise basic road vehicle performance.
Engineering Mathematics and Programming
The aim of this module is to enhance knowledge about application of mathematical modelling to engineering problems and to provide knowledge and understanding about various mathematical techniques that are used to solve mathematical problems relevant to engineering. Programming techniques will also be introduced for solving mathematical models

Year 3

Compulsory

Major Individual Project
This module provides experience in planning, researching and conducting a major engineering project in the specialised course of study. Students will apply engineering techniques, critically assess the findings, putting forward ideas and drawing conclusions.
Mechatronics and Control Engineering
This module introduces knowledge and methods for designing and implementing mechatronic systems for control and robot systems. Students will develop an understanding of modelling dynamic systems using transfer functions and block diagrams by providing a mathematical foundation for control systems analysis, design and performance improvement.
Sustainable Engineering Management and Practice
This modules helps to learn pertinent environmental, quality, health & safety issues, and their relevant related regulations, influencing engineering business. Students will develop professional and technical skills to assess and manage these impacts within the framework of industry-recognised Management Systems.
Technologies for Future Transport
This module aims to provide an understanding of the components of Intelligent Transportation Systems and contextualise employment of Intelligent Transportation Systems within the framework of global challenges in transport, energy and sustainability to optimise and better manage the transportation networks of the future.
Vehicle Dynamics and Aerodynamics
This module aims to provide a comprehensive background of vehicle aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Students will learn practical and theoretical principles underlying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Vehicle Structures and FEA
This module aims to introduce advanced concepts for the analysis and design of lightweight vehicle structures. Students to develop further the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the solution of vehicle structures.
Vehicle Propulsion
This module aims to provide an overview of vehicle powertrain systems and their fuels, vehicle CO2 and pollutant emission legislation. Students to learn and understand about the thermodynamic aspects and combustion processes of reciprocating IC engines.

Year 4

Compulsory

Advanced Vehicle Dynamics and Advanced CAD
This module aims to enable students to model and analyse complex dynamics of automotive vehicles. It will introduce students to the applications and challenges of vehicle testing and advanced features of CAD.
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
This module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of properties of various types of materials used in vehicles and materials choices for lightweight and high performance vehicle structure.
Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Technologies and Systems
This module aims to provide an overview of the state-of-art automotive vehicle powertrain technologies and systems, the legislated CO2 and pollutant emission regulations.
Major Group Project
The project aims to give experience of design practice and engineering systems design through undertaking a large multidisciplinary project. It aims to develop the necessary skills in design project management and planning, and to enable students to apply these skills in diverse situations.
Strategy and Business Planning
This module aims to critically evaluate the strategic positioning of an organisation for strategy decisions, analyse and assess an organizations resources and capabilities, in relation to an organisations strategic direction in order to develop an effective business development plan for an engineering company.

Optional

Advanced Solid Body Mechanics and FEA
This module aims to introduce students to the main principles of nonlinear modelling of solids and structures; nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA); and failure modes of solids and structures, including plastic collapse, fracture and buckling.
Advanced Thermofluids
This module aims to introduce advanced simulation and modelling techniques for thermofluids; advanced experimental techniques for thermofluids and teach skills of numerically solving engineering flow using advanced modelling techniques and reporting, analysing results.
Robotics and Automation
This module aims to introduce principles of actuation, sensing, and control methods. Students will have an understanding of robot modelling overview including forward and inverse kinematics, and control methods.
Applied Sensors Instrumentation and Control
This module aims to enable students to focus on particular aspects of sensors, instrumentation and control through the use of real-world examples and hence to acquire knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of sensors and associated systems for monitoring and control, and the skills to evaluate, design and implement them.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

If you opt for a sandwich course, you’ll go on a year’s paid placement and put your theory into practice. Some of our students are offered jobs at the companies where they carried out their industrial placements.

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.

UK entry requirements

2026/7 entry

Applicants who will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate. To find out if you will need an ATAS certificate, please visit this webpage: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate#when-you-need-an-atas-certificate.

The deadline for Admissions to make offers to applicants who will require an ATAS certificate is 2nd August 2026. This is to ensure any offer holders who need an ATAS certificate have plenty of time to obtain the certificate before their course starts.

For Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year progression requirements, see the course page.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

GCSEs

A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.

A-level

Standard Offer: GCE A-level ABB including Maths and one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Mathematical Studies, Critical Thinking and General Studies not accepted).

Contextual Offer: GCE A-level BBB including Maths and one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths, Mathematical Studies, Critical Thinking and General Studies not accepted).