BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering Bachelor's degree at Loughborough University
BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering at Loughborough University combines core theory, research methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
Want to pursue a career in the automotive industry? Our BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering degree sounds well suited to you. Discover what you can learn. From the provider’s course page.
BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering is a Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) at Loughborough University. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Production and manufacturing engineering graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 100% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £33,500. (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)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 93% (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 7 modules
- Engineering Design and ManufactureCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce the student to design processes and manufacturing technology applicable to aeronautical and automotive engineering. Aims: Develop a fundamental understanding of design activities. Identify the British Standard for Engineering Drawings. Develop Computer-Aided Drawing skills, using Siemens NX. Introduce structural materials, their application and constraints. Identify Engineering Elements relevant to the Aeronautical and Automotive Industry. Explore manufactu
- Mathematics for Aeronautical and Automotive EngineeringCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce students to various mathematical techniques used in Aeronautical and Automotive engineering.
- Materials and StructuresCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to: Introduce the various classes of engineering materials with a focus on their properties, microstructure, and processing. Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles that determine the structure and properties of materials, with special emphasis on how processing influences these characteristics. Introduce basic materials processing techniques and illustrate how processing parameters govern microstructural development and, consequently, material performanc
- ThermofluidsCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the basic concepts, principles and theoretical approaches of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics and apply them to engineering systems.
- ComputingCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand problem solving and to acquire programming skills in the high level language of MATLAB.
- Vehicle Systems and DevelopmentCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the operation of vehicle systems, the vehicle design and development process and to understand why the more analytical modules are necessary areas of study for the would-be vehicle designer. The student will understand the different requirements for the development of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) compared to the traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle and the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) programme structures to de
- Engineering Mechanics and StructuresCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to be able to break a structure into rigid, idealised components and explain how the basic laws of engineering mechanics relating to fundamental static and dynamic systems allow yield forces and moments to inform the design process. Aims: To be able to apply equations of equilibrium to solve engineering statics problems. To cover the mechanical behaviour of simple beams under bending loads (elementary beam theory) and specifically introduce equations use
Year 2 7 modules
- Incompressible AerodynamicsCompulsory
Module details
The aims of the module are for the student to be able to describe and apply the physical principles and laws governing the generation of lift, downforce, and drag on bodies operating in incompressible flows.
- Electronics, Sensors and InstrumentationCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce the fundamental principles of electrical circuits, electronic signal processing, and engineering sensing systems, and to develop the knowledge and skills required for the analysis, design, and implementation of basic measurement and instrumentation solutions in engineering applications.
- Dynamics, Vibration & ControlCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for students to build on the principles of Engineering Mechanics (Statics and Dynamics) to study central-force motion, dynamics of systems of particles and two-dimensional rigid-body dynamics, and to gain an introduction to analytical mechanics, vibration of particles and rigid bodies, and the analysis and design of control systems relevant to aeronautical and automotive engineering applications.
- Sustainable Vehicle SystemsCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the design, construction, performance, integration and testing of hybrid and low-carbon Automotive Powertrain Systems.
- Vehicle Structural DesignCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for students to become familiar with and implement initial structural design calculations taking into account static, dynamic loading with real-world assumptions idealised. The module will provide instruction in structural digital design tools used by industry to determine deflections, stresses and thermal behavior of automotive components.
- Engineering Analysis and OptimisationCompulsory
Module details
This module aims to develop students capability to model, analyse, verify, validate, and interpret engineering systems using mathematical and statistical approaches, enabling informed design decisions related to system performance, optimisation, uncertainty, and failure behaviour across the engineering lifecycle. Students will learn how to model behaviour, reliability, and uncertainty to optimise performance, value, and cost in aerospace and automotive contexts.
- Vehicle Loading and SuspensionsCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for students to understand the engineering requirements necessary to design road vehicles, with particular focus on vehicle loading and suspension design.
Final year 5 modules
- BEng ProjectCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to complete the students' education and training in the particular discipline by asking them to tackle a reasonably challenging engineering problem. The problem should involve the student: carrying out background research, preparatory work, planning and preliminary investigations; extending their knowledge, demonstrating initiative and communicating the results to the appropriate engineering community.
- Concept Vehicle DefinitionCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the processes and factors involved in making decisions and the level of development required to define a concept vehicle. They will progress from an initial idea to a concept vehicle with major sub-systems defined with strong justification based on engineering knowledge and competitor bench marking. They will also outline a business case for the vehicle and understand the processes used to manage vehicle programmes.
- Noise ControlOptional
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the fundamentals of acoustics and the application to the design of noise control and mitigation in vehicles, with particular application to the luxury market and growth markets, taking into account sustainable design of communities, legal aspects and planning.
- Principles of Composite Materials & StructuresOptional
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand basic concepts, fundamental principles and some important issues encountered in the analysis and design of advanced fibre-reinforced composite structures.
- Vehicle Dynamics and SimulationOptional
Module details
The aim of this module is for the student to understand the principles of vehicle dynamics and approaches to approximate the vehicle performance in longitudinal and vertical directions, assisted by simulation techniques. Further aims to consolidate earlier fundamental learning about dynamics, systems, and signals, to investigate the key factors that determine the vehicle dynamics and prepare basic knowledge and abilities (modelling and simulation) for further study. An experience of vehicle test
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 prepares you for the automotive industry by grounding you in automotive engineering principles and practice. A course like this typically moves from engineering foundations, Mathematics, Mechanics & Materials, and Design & Practical Skills, including CAD and workshop experience, through discipline-core modules such as Thermodynamics & Fluids and Circuits & Systems, alongside Engineering Analysis & Computing and a group design project. In Year 3, you'll pursue specialist options in areas such as Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic, Robotics & Mechatronics, Energy & Sustainability, and Civil & Structural engineering, alongside Professional Engineering Practice and a substantial individual project. You'll usually develop both theoretical understanding and applied problem-solving skills throughout.
Who it's for
This course suits students with A-level qualifications or equivalent. Accepted students typically held UCAS tariffs of 128–143 points. You should be interested in automotive systems, engineering principles, and practical problem-solving. The programme is designed for those seeking a structured engineering qualification with both theoretical depth and hands-on application.
Careers & job market
Across Engineering courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 80% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £29,000–£35,000 (15 months post-graduation), rising to £26,775–£37,800 after three years and £33,150–£46,800 after five years. These figures reflect the broader engineering graduate labour market, not university-specific outcomes. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
University & format
This is a 4-year, full-time Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) taught in English at Loughborough University, a public university founded in 1909. The degree is a nationally recognised UK qualification. The course is accredited for Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. You'll have the option to pursue a Chartered (CEng) pathway.
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.
Access Loughborough Contextual Offer. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
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 | 100% |
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. 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Loughborough 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
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
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 | £33,500 | £30,000 – £38,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £33,000 | £27,500 – £38,500 | 180 |
| 5 years after | £42,500 | £35,500 – £52,000 | 195 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. 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: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. 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 · 60% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
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: 25; response rate: 50%. 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.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdIs 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
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £33,500. 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 8.7 out of 10: NSS 82.9% · in work or study 85% · continued 93%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Loughborough 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 Loughborough University
1,024 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 Loughborough University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Loughborough University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 Loughborough 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 Loughborough University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Loughborough University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.