Automotive Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year BEng (Hons)

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This is a four-year version of our popular BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering course, with an integrated foundation year. See past the aesthetics of a vehicle and learn about the mechanical beauty of how it works. Learn how to change the future of motor vehicles and the current environmental challenges the industry faces in today's commercial climate. Equip yourself with the skills needed for a wide range of careers in the automotive industry.

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Overview

This course will equip you with the skills you need to be an accomplished Automotive Engineer. In your second year you'll develop an excellent foundation in engineering, and then from the third year you will specialise in vehicle systems.

As a centre of excellence in Automotive Engineering, we host the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP). This has allowed us to forge excellent links with many local industrial companies including the Nissan plant and its supply chain, among others.

Why us?

You will be supported by staff with a wealth of academic and industrial experience
You have the opportunity to take part in Sunderland’s Formula Student project
We are a University that is nationally recognised for supporting learners particularly from non-traditional backgrounds and many students come to us with no formal qualifications but with valuable work experience

BSc (Hons) Automotive Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as partially fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
We have a strong track record of graduates gaining employment in the automotive and associated sectors

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory projects and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills. You will also have opportunities to present ideas to other students and develop concepts within groups.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also on-going assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include exams, coursework and projects.

Foundation Year

Core modules

Year 1 (national level 4)

Core modules

Year 2 (national level 5)

Core modules

Optional modules

Engineering Placement

Please note: Engineering Placement is optional, Sandwich students only

Final year (national level 6)

Core modules

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

As well as an enthusiastic teaching team, you will be supported by the Academic Technical Support team, whose role is to aid students and staff with teaching and projects; help with practical taught sessions; and configure PCs and other kit. They are experienced and knowledgeable and can be approached by students for support at any time.
Academic Technical Support
The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s is nestled between the River Wear and the sea, just two minutes from the coast, and set in expansive green space on the banks of the river next to the historic St Peter's Church. This provides a picturesque backdrop and a great location for travelling to the beach or the city centre.

The David Goldman Informatics Centre has been described as a ‘computing cathedral’ in the past and has over 300 computer workstations in one space it’s easy to see why.
David Goldman Informatics Centre
There are 25 stations for electronics, each with its own power supply, oscilloscope, signal generator, multi-meter and a PC with software to support circuit analysis/design, and programming of PLCs and microcontrollers.
There are also numerous pre-built circuit boards to aid in the study of analogue electronics, digital electronics and logic, as well as hardware rigs for the study of CAN Bus systems.
Electronics Lab
Our specialist facilities include laboratories for electronics and electrical power, and robotics and programmable logic controllers. We also have advanced modelling software that is the latest industry standard.

In addition, the University is the home of the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), which builds on Sunderland’s role as a centre of excellence in the manufacturing and assembly of cars.
Formula Student is Europe's most established educational motorsport competition, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Backed by industry and high profile engineers such as Patron Ross Brawn OBE, the competition aims to inspire and develop enterprising and innovative young engineers.

Students are challenged to design, test, build and race a 600cc single-seat racing car against other universities in the Formula Student contest. The University of Sunderland's Formula Student Team is supported by industry and we are currently working with companies such as Wurth and Alice Racing. We operate a number of test vehicles and have access to the test track adjacent to Nissan MMUK in Sunderland.
Formula Student / SU Racing
This space is used for problem-based learning seminars and workshops across a range of computing and engineering courses. It is open-plan which allows for engaging group discussion and the space includes several smart screens which can be connected so the whole class can view the same presentation, or can work individually for separate group projects.
Learning Lab
The David Goldman Informatics Centre has a variety of open plan spaces, and the Level 2 Gallery is a communal space for students to relax and study.
Audio Visual Technology is available for students to use whenever, for example, using smart screens to view presentations for further study.
Level 2 Gallery
We’ve got thousands of books and e-books on engineering topics, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. We also subscribe to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals so you can access the most reliable and up-to-date academic and industry articles.

Some of the most important sources for engineers include:
- British Standards Online which offers more than 35,000 documents covering specifications for products, dimensions, performance and codes of practice
- Abstracts from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology, including journals, technical reports and dissertations
- Science Direct, which offers more than 18,000 full-text journals published by Elsevier, with journals such as ‘Engineering Structures’, ‘Advanced Engineering Informatics’ and ‘Electric Power Systems Research’
- Archives of publications from Emerald, including over 35,000 full-text engineering and management articles
Library Services - engineering
The Mechanical Engineering Lab is used for taught sessions across all engineering courses and facilities include (but are not limited to): inertia wheel; balance beams; vibration testing; thickness testing (with thick and thin cylinders); and structures testing (bending beams).
Mechanical Engineering Lab
The Product Development Lab is used by students across all years, including masters and PhD research students. There are no formal classes taught in here; it is instead used for project work outside of set teaching time. In here you can find: a 3D printer; Trotec laser and engraving machine; CNC lathe; CNC router; CNC milling machine; pillar drills; bandsaws; as well as various powered hand tools.
Product Development Lab
Map and directions

Facilities

You will be based at the David Goldman Informatics Centre. Our specialist labs include:

• Product Development Lab
• Electronics Lab
• Automation Lab
• Project Lab
• Material Characterisation Lab
• Formulation Lab
• Thermofluids Lab
• Mechanical Engineering Lab

You will have access to a range of industry leading technologies at the Industry Centre, the home of the Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice as well as access to industrial standard software to help prepare you for a future career in a digital context.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is

GPA 3.0 or above from High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement

which must include Maths or Physics.

We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or an equivalent qualification, for example; a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a new GCSE for which you will be awarded a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

If English is not your first language we will require an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall score of 6.0 and at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) can also be considered if the applicant's element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is £9,250 but you will receive £3,000 cashback in Year 1 of the full undergraduate course.

In addition, you may receive free travel across the Tyne and Wear region and a University of Sunderland StudyPLUS Card loaded with additional offers up to the value of £200, plus a bundle of study skills books worth £80.

If you are a full-time UK student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fee and maintenance loan for the full four years.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

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This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

Recent graduates have secured graduate jobs that pay around £28,000 a year, with companies such as McLaren Automotive, General Motors and Nissan.

Graduate success

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for companies such as McLaren Automotive, General Motors, Jaguar, Perkins Engines and Parametrics Technology. Other graduates conduct research within major automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Vauxhall and Nissan.

Placements

To further enhance employability we encourage you to apply for a 48-week placement where available between your second and final year. Placements are subject to availability and interviews are required. They are usually paid, with past students having earned an average salary of £14,000-£18,000 a year depending on location.

Placements are an excellent opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. The contacts made during placements can also be valuable for future job offers. Examples of companies that have offered placements to Sunderland students include Jaguar, Vauxhall, Nissan, Caterham Cars, Cummins Engines and Tata Steel.

Meet the students

People too often think of engineers as working on a production line and that simply isn’t true.

Dan Thompson
The skills I acquired in my degree and as part of the Formula Student Team have proved invaluable.

John Wood
I am two years out of university and one small step away from management level.

Julie Liddle

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 08 June 2020

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Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Foundation Year

Core modules

Year 1 (national level 4)

Core modules

Year 2 (national level 5)

Core modules

Optional modules

Final year (national level 6)

Core modules

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Graduate success

Placements

Meet the students

Dan Thompson

John Wood

Julie Liddle

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information