Automotive Engineering

Automotive engineering is the discipline responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing the vehicles that carry people and goods across the world. It is a field of engineering in constant transformation. The shift away from internal combustion engines towards electric and hybrid powertrains, the development of advanced driver assistance systems and the long-term ambition of autonomous vehicles are reshaping what automotive engineers do and what they need to know.

At the same time, the fundamental demands of safety, reliability, efficiency and cost remain unchanged.

At Harper Adams University, the four-year full-time BEng programme provides rigorous training in engineering fundamentals alongside the specialist knowledge that automotive practice requires. You will study vehicle dynamics, powertrain engineering, structural analysis, aerodynamics, embedded systems and manufacturing processes. The degree engages directly with the environmental and sustainability challenges facing the industry, recognising that automotive engineers today must design vehicles that are efficient and low-emission as well as safe and functional.

Harper Adams has strong industry connections and a practical, applied approach to engineering education, reflected in well-equipped workshops and laboratories where you will develop hands-on skills alongside theoretical understanding.

The automotive industry is undergoing some of its most significant changes in a century, and the skills developed on this degree are relevant to the emerging as well as the established sectors. Graduates work in vehicle design and development, powertrain engineering, manufacturing, testing, quality assurance and motorsport. The supply chain around the automotive industry also employs engineers in component development and production engineering roles.

Many graduates pursue chartered engineer status through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Postgraduate study in automotive engineering, electric vehicle technology or mechanical engineering is a natural continuation for those who want to specialise further.