Automotive Engineering

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

- Understand key technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles.

- Explore the economic, environmental and social implications of automotive production.

- Engage in professional and sustainable practices right from the beginning.

- Experience live projects, simulations, aerodynamics and diverse disciplines.

The course prepares you for a range of roles in the automotive industry, providing you with the right environment, facilities, skills and training to be successful in the industry. You’ll explore various aspects of automotive design, development, testing, manufacturing, electronics and performance analysis – emerging as a highly skilled graduate ready to solve current and future problems in the industry.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the BEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with foundation year course.

You could also consider our integrated Masters MEng Automotive Engineering course. With an extra year to develop specialist knowledge and enhance your research and project management experience, you gain advanced technical and professional skills to increase your future job prospects. Or, as long as you meet the required academic standards, you could enrol on the BEng and swap to the MEng later.

How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

This course is designed for you to gain experience as a professional engineer from day one, where you’ll develop technical and professional skills from the very start.

You’ll experience and engage in a variety of learning activities as you progress through the course. We’ve designed a balanced mix of activities to help challenge you to think creatively, build knowledge and understanding, while also developing your professional skills and employability. These include practical laboratories and computer simulations to enhance your learning – with lab experiments designed to reinforce your learning of theoretical concepts.

Course topics

This course provides an in-depth study of the underpinning principles and practices involved in automotive engineering. It covers various aspects of automotive design, development, testing, manufacturing and performance analysis.

The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical hands-on experience while core modules cover the key aspects of automotive engineering. These range from electric, hybrid and internal combustion propulsion to automotive powertrains and vehicle systems, performance, dynamics, aerodynamics and styling. You’ll also explore sustainable materials, manufacturing and production – plus numerical methods, modelling and simulation.

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Although optional (and competitive), a placement is actively encouraged to significantly improve your employability at the end of the degree. Previous students have undertaken placements at BorgWarner, Cummins and Forvia Faurecia.

Live projects

Throughout the course, you’ll gain practical experience working on live projects set by our industry partners. You’ll also have the opportunity to get involved in the SHU Racing Team – applying your skills and knowledge to build, test and design race cars. Here you’ll experience what it’s like to collaborate with engineers from different disciplines and solve complex automotive challenges.