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Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
The BEng and MEng in Motorsport Engineering course looks at the low volume and high-performance world of Motorsport Engineering.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
BEng:3 years full-time4 years sandwich
MEng:4 years full-time5 years sandwich
UCAS codes
H335 / H340
Start date
September 2025
The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.
Course overview
The course seeks to produce Motorsport engineering graduates with the versatility and depth of understanding to deal with new and unusual challenges, alongside the necessary imagination and creativity to innovate.
- The course takes the knowledge given in the lecture theatre and provides you with design, experimentation, analysis and practical skills using live projects from industry and international student competitions (subject to availability and successful application)2.
- The course offers you the chance to specialise in performance engineering, covering design for performance, construction and operation of competition vehicles, alongside core mechanical engineering topics. It also aims to provide you with a sound understanding of the professional context of motorsport engineering.
- You will be taught by academics with wide ranging industrial experience including, for example, automotive and race car deign with AEG, JLR and BMW. Many are actively involved in cutting-edge commercial and academic research in areas such as vehicle dynamics, electric vehicle technology, light weighting, advanced simulation, future concepts and crash protection. (Please note that staff are subject to change.)
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- Our current close relationship with the UK performance engineering industry helps to ensure course content reflects current trends and challenges, as well as the latest technologies, design systems and testing processes in this fast-paced, ever-evolving industry.
- Teaching is highly practical, focused on providing a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of motorsport engineering and, more importantly, how this knowledge is applied in the industry. You will have the opportunity to work with staff on real-world problems from industry, commerce and research groups, as you would in professional practice2.
- Opportunity to participate in field trips which have previously included observing crash tests at the GM Milford site and a tour of the Ford F150 factory in Detroit, USA and a visit to the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne, Germany, which has included a visit to the Toyota Motorsport Group facility2.
- Access to extensive cutting-edge facilities in our High Performance Engineering Centre, which houses a 20% scale model wind tunnel (designed and built by the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team), composites lab, metrology lab, flow lab, AVL engine test cell, automotive workshop, fatigue and tensile testing (Instron), a full size Harrier Jet, three further simulators, civil engineering specialist testing equipment, a range of CNC machinery and a laser workshop4.
- On and off site access to commercial engineering software, such as 3D CAD, Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Multibody Systems for design and simulation, as well as training in industry standard Catia, HyperWorks, STAR-CCM+, and SIMPACK software4.
Accreditation and professional recognition
The degrees are accredited1 by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) up to and including the 2025 intakes under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Students successfully completing an IMechE accredited degree are deemed to have met part or all of the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, and are in a strong position to move on to achieve professional engineering status after a period of initial professional development in industry.
The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.
The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
IMechE Membership Partner
We are a Membership Partner with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Working in collaboration with the IMechE we aim to ensure our engineers and technical teams meet industry-recognised standards of engineering excellence.
We are committed to the professional development of everyone within our organisation, and recognise that professional registration and recognition are crucial in helping our employees and business grow and excel.
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
What I really like at Coventry is that the degree is not fully dependent on exams. About 75% of the grades are on coursework and group projects in which you get a problem, and you need to research and deliver a solution, then present it in the form of a proper engineering document.
Ines Marokovic, Motorsport Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) quoted June 2023
How you'll learn
The course features a wide range of learning and teaching methods as part of our innovative Activity-Led Learning (ALL) approach.
We encourage you to learn through stimulating activity, such as a project, problem, scenario, case study or enquiry in a classroom or laboratory (subject to availability). This practical approach has been proven to engage students and creates challenge, relevance, integration, professional awareness and variety to help give you the chance to learn technical, personal and professional skills.
You will have the opportunity to dismantle a previous vehicle to explore how to improve your future designs, and to better understand the design of individual motorsport systems2. You could work in groups to design and build a single seater racing car in the final year to be entered in the IMechE’s Formula Student competition2. Past students have won the Fuel economy event in the competition and been the highest placed UK electric team.
The full range of teaching methods include: lectures with associated practice, laboratory, workshop exercises and tutorials; problem-based learning in groups with tutor or industrial mentor support2; group learning; formative modelling exercises; and independent research of library resources, the internet and engineering companies. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice.
The university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Teaching contact hours
We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:
- On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
- Group work
- Self-directed learning
- Work placement opportunities2.
If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.
Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:
- Formal examinations
- Phase tests
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Time constrained assessments (i.e. Exams)
- Individual assignments
- Laboratories
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include coursework, tests, essays, formal examinations, practical or project work, group work and presentations, posters etc.
International experience opportunities
The university is committed to providing a global educational experience and this course aims to produce some of the world’s best motorsport engineers upon graduation.
We strive to invite international guest lectures (subject to availability); for example, a leading automotive engineering professor at Heilbronn University previously gave our students a presentation on the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) research and the motion platform driving simulator they have built at Heilbronn2. We also provide opportunities to participate in a number of field trips2, which in the past have included test work at the GM proving ground; a tour of the Ford F150 factory in Detroit, USA; a tour of Hirata, a Japanese Tier 1 automotive supplier for Ford, Chrysler and GM; participation on a certificated training course with Altair on Inspire; and visits to Mahle Powertrain, the University of Michigan and Chrysler Building.
You will be encouraged to undertake a placement year or study year abroad after your second year of study2. Previously, students have studied at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and Esslingen University in Germany. We have also begun an online international learning (OIL) project with FACENS University in Brazil linking the Formula student team with their Brazilian counterparts to discuss designs and implementation of the vehicle2.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Fees and funding
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year |
Not available |
| EU | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year |
Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The university will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The university will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the university reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building house an impressive range of industry standard equipment4.
Cruden F1 simulators
Our industry-standard simulators provide a realistic experience of working for a race team in a high-pressure environment. The simulators include the same software and calculations used by professional racing teams.
Chassis Fabrication Facility
This area is used by our motorsport students for any welding, cutting and shaping of materials requirements. It is used mainly for the fabrication of components or chassis design and build.
Wind Tunnel
Built and tested by the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team, our open jet single return wind tunnel has been designed to accommodate 20 per cent scale open-wheel racing car models, with a maximum air velocity of 45 m/s.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- Analysis of the performance of products and systems associated with motorsport by selectively using appropriate engineering science and mathematics.
- Evaluation of the significance of the properties of current and future materials used in automotive engineering, and more specifically motorsport vehicle structures and power plant, to make appropriate material selections.
- Selection of manufacturing processes appropriate to the fabrication and forming of motorsport components and systems.
- Selection of appropriate design tools and methodologies and their use in producing and communicating design solutions.
- The commercial and economic context within which motorsport activities take place, identification of changes within this environment and their effects on viability of motorsport events.
You will be able to:
- Model and analyse established engineering systems using appropriate engineering science and mathematical analysis techniques.
- Synthesise solutions to develop engineering designs appropriate to the application.
- Select appropriate instrumentation and systems to support development and test work.
- Search for and evaluate information sources to identify information essential to solving engineering problems.
- Use test equipment for experimental work to support product development.
Upon graduation, career options may include becoming a race mechanic or race engineer or roles as a manufacturing assistant engineer, composites laminator, design engineer, dimensional management engineer or operations manager in motorsport engineering or related industries.
This degree-level course is designed to meet an identified need for graduate level professionals to work in specialist areas such as vehicle/component design, powertrain and chassis development and testing, as well as supervisory and business roles. Our past graduates have secured positions with teams such as Red Bull, Williams, Ducati, Triumph, Pilbeam Racing, McLaren and Prodrive.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
Some examples of our past graduate positions include Red Bull Racing, Mercedes HPP in engine design and manufacturing, McLaren Automotive, Alpine F1 in composite design and manufacturing, Lotus Cars, Royal Enfield Motorcycles, Triumph Motorcycles, Tata Technologies, JLR, Coventry University and Bosch GMBH.
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
How to apply
UK students
Applications open for this course in May 2024. In the meantime you can register your interest in Coventry University.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
International students
International codes:
BEng: EECU160
MEng: EECU170
For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
Disclaimers
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