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Check eligibility →MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering Integrated Master's degree at De Montfort University
MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering at De Montfort University. You'll work across core theory, research methods, applied practice, and specialist options, culminating in an independent project that lets you explore a challenge of particular interest.
About this course
Develop the theoretical, experiential, and computational skills needed to design, build, and test the next generation of vehicles. From the provider’s course page.
MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering is an Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) at De Montfort University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Engineering graduates from this provider, 78% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 78% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Engineering Tools and Principles 1
Module details
The module provides background in the fundamental principles of Mathematics and Mechanical Principles (Solid Mechanics) covering topics such as stress and strain, shear forces, torsion and how power is transferred via shafts as in jet engines; it also covers topics in Electronic Principles relevant to all engineering disciplines.
- Engineering Tools and Principles 2
Module details
This module builds on knowledge gained in Engineering Tools and Principles 1. It provides further understanding in Mathematics and Mechanical Principles (Dynamics) covering topics such as Newton's laws, linear and angular motion, friction, inertia etc. It also covers Electronic Principles including analysis of RLC circuits and operational amplifiers.
- Automotive Design and Manufacturing 1
Module details
This hands-on module immerses you in the engineering design process through a group project to create a functional prototype. You'll master the complete design lifecycle, from technical drawing and problem-solving to key professional skills like project management. You'll gain proficiency in essential digital tools, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and programming, alongside the fundamentals of machines and mechanisms. All learning is framed within the global automotive industry, covering b
- Automotive Design and Manufacturing 2
Module details
This module is focused on the build-and-test cycle. Your group will design, manufacture, and test a working prototype, moving from the ideal CAD world to a physical product. You'll select manufacturing processes, run quality control, and then test your build to see if it actually works. To do this, you'll learn to create assemblies in CAD, get a first look at FEA, and write code to handle real data. The theory covers essential machine components and the fundamental physics of vehicle dynamics, f
Year 2 4 modules
- Automotive Chassis Design
Module details
This module introduces you to the principles of chassis design in the context of mechanical and automotive engineering. The module covers key areas such as structural integrity, suspension geometry, and load distribution. An emphasis is placed on materials selection, lightweight design strategies, and crashworthiness. You will learn how to design and evaluate chassis systems that meet performance, safety, and durability requirements. This module will go through applied theory and design tasks an
- Automotive Powertrain Systems
Module details
This module introduces you to advanced propulsion systems in the context of modern automotive engineering. It covers the fundamentals of internal combustion engines, including thermodynamic principles, fuel injection systems, and turbocharging. You will also explore hybrid and electric powertrains, energy recovery technologies, emissions control, and alternative fuels. An emphasis is placed on improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Through analytical work and design-based
- Engineering Project Management
Module details
Projects need to deliver a design solution (e.g., a product), which require planning and initiation, and need to be budgeted, costed, and scheduled and completed within these projections. Projects require management of stakeholder expectations, and they need to be undertaken at an agreed level of quality within an accepted level of risk. This module presents some of the background, theory, and practice to enable learners to embed professional project management expertise in their professional an
- Automotive Body and Structures
Module details
This module introduces you to the fundamental principles involved in the design, analysis, and manufacturing of automotive body structures. It provides insight into structural performance, aerodynamics, and crashworthiness in vehicle body systems. You will explore key concepts such as lightweight construction, material selection, and joining techniques including welding, adhesives, and composite bonding. The module emphasises structural integrity, safety, and sustainable practices in automotive
Year 3 5 modules
- Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management
Module details
This module is about managing airflow and heat to make vehicles more efficient and powerful. You'll start with aerodynamics, analysing the causes of drag and learning practical strategies for airflow optimisation, from body streamlining to active aero. We'll cover both physical wind tunnel testing and the basics of CFD. Then, we'll move to thermal management, covering cooling systems, heat exchangers, and the specific challenges of keeping EV batteries and motors at optimal temperatures. You'll
- Vehicle Dynamics
Module details
This module is all about the physics of vehicle handling, ride, and stability. You'll analyse the fundamentals of motion like understeer and oversteer, and break down the design of suspension systems and the effect of geometry tuning. We'll do a deep dive into tire dynamics, looking at how grip is generated and the models used to predict it. You'll also use simplified vehicle models to analyse ride quality and learn the working principles behind electronic stability control systems like ABS and
- Individual Project
Module details
This module is your capstone individual project. You'll take ownership of a complex engineering problem, from initial concept to final validation. With guidance from an academic supervisor, you'll define your research question, conduct a literature review, and engineer a solution, which could be a physical prototype, a piece of software, or a detailed analysis. The project demands a rigorous approach to design, testing, and data evaluation. You'll be assessed on a final report, a presentation whe
- Engineering Business Environment
Module details
The module enables you to understand and reflect upon sustainability and the role of business in a rapidly changing, globalised world. It identifies opportunities and threats for industry arising from environmental policy, legislation, and societal change, and explores how businesses respond to future environmental challenges: for example, through supply chain management, logistics, life-cycle analysis, green accounting, and carbon trading.
- Human Factors and Sustainability in Vehicle Design
Module details
This module tackles the systems-level challenges of modern vehicles: the human, the environment, and the machine. We'll analyse human-vehicle interaction, from physical ergonomics to UX of driver-assist systems (ADAS). You'll investigate crash causation and the principles of sustainable design, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the use of lightweight materials. A key part of the course deals with the ethics of autonomous vehicles, analysing decision-making dilemmas and the governance
Year 4 2 modules
- Advanced Vehicle Engineering and Simulation
Module details
This module gets you hands-on with the core simulation tools of the auto industry. You'll use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural and crashworthiness simulations, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyse aerodynamics and cooling, and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) for suspension and NVH analysis. The focus is on applying these methods to solve practical design problems. You'll also learn how to build integrated simulation workflows and the critical process of validating your computer mo
- Group Project
Module details
The module provides an opportunity for you to work on an engineering project as a multidisciplinary team, which will be similar to that found in industry. A project contains many facets of engineering, science, management and business, and often the you are not exposed to these multidisciplinary aspects until they move into industry. This module has been specifically designed to expose you to the multidisciplinary and team nature of many engineering projects, helping to highlight individual stre
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course develops the theoretical, experiential, and computational skills needed to design, build, and test the next generation of vehicles. A course like this typically progresses from engineering foundations to specialist options and a final project. Year 1 covers engineering mathematics, mechanics and materials, and design skills including CAD and workshop practice. Year 2 introduces the core discipline, thermodynamics and fluids or circuits and systems, alongside engineering analysis, computing and simulation, plus a team design project against a real specification. Year 3 focuses on specialist options such as mechanical, electrical and electronic, civil and structural, robotics and mechatronics, or energy and sustainability, combined with professional engineering practice covering safety, ethics and project management, culminating in a substantial individual project.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you're curious about how vehicles work and excited by the prospect of improving them. You'll thrive if you combine strong analytical thinking with a practical inclination, you like understanding the "why" and the "how", and you're prepared to engage with both theory and workshop-based learning. The course appeals to those with genuine interest in automotive systems rather than those simply chasing a prestige name; you're comfortable at a public university focused on teaching quality and employability outcomes, and you're ready to develop professional engineering skills alongside technical knowledge.
Careers & job market
Across Engineering nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those in work, 80% are in highly skilled roles. Starting salaries for engineering graduates typically fall between £29,000 and £35,000, rising to £33,150–£46,800 within five years, according to national graduate outcomes data. This course builds professional skills and industry-relevant experience designed to support your transition into automotive and related engineering sectors.
University & format
De Montfort University is a public university located in Leicester. The MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering degree is a 3-year full-time Integrated Master's programme taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body. Students can pursue a Chartered (CEng) pathway as part of their specialisation.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H330). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at De Montfort University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduate students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,000 | £25,000 – £35,000 | 25 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £18,500 – £28,500 | 160 |
| 5 years after | £29,500 | £24,000 – £35,000 | 165 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 115; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
78% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: NSS 88% · in work or study 78% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
De Montfort University
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around De Montfort University
4,747 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to De Montfort University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,300 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check De Montfort University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with De Montfort University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at De Montfort University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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