Automotive Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year)

An Automotive Engineering degree from Brighton prepares you for dynamic careers in vehicle design, electric mobility, autonomous systems and sustainable transport innovation.

At Brighton you’ll be part of a supportive community that helps you grow, no matter your background. This course offers an extra year to prepare you to study at degree level, building your knowledge and skills – and confidence – to tackle engineering challenges.

You’ll have loads of opportunities to build real-world experience through exciting team projects, placements and internships. Our inclusive approach to learning means we’ll help you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton graduates go on to work for organisations such as Rolls-Royce, Ricardo UK Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover Ltd and MAHLE Powertrain Ltd.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Foundation year that opens up opportunities in engineering if you don’t have the required qualifications, are changing career or returning to study.

• Get hands-on experience through design-build-test projects including fighting robots, water rockets and rocket cars, the Engineering Without Borders international design challenge, CAD modelling and laboratory work.

• Progress to a degree accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), providing recognition of its professional quality and a pathway towards Chartered Engineer status.

• Make a difference and solve energy challenges in our student-led Sustainable Technology and Engineering Projects (STEP) lab.

• Learn in industry-standard facilities including flight and car simulators, wind tunnel, prototyping labs and workshops, CNC machines and robotics and VR labs.

• Boost your CV with an optional paid placement year after year two or paid internship opportunities.

• Learn with internationally recognised researchers who specialise in areas such as novel engine concepts, electric vehicles and combustion of sustainable fuels.

• 100% of our engineering research impact is rated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ for reach and significance – Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Why Brighton is a great place to study automotive engineering
Brighton & Hove is the UK’s leading city for new economy businesses (Centre for Cities, 2025). This includes sectors such as advanced engineering, electric vehicles, autonomous systems, sustainable transport and clean energy technologies – industries where demand for skilled engineers is rapidly growing. Studying at Brighton means you’ll be part of a hub for innovation, with opportunities to directly connect your learning to the future of engineering.

Brighton & Hove has also been named one of the best cities on the planet and third best city in the UK by Time Out.

Course Modules

Foundation year
The foundation year is shared across all engineering courses and gives you the preparation you need to start your degree, covering areas such as core maths and science.

Core modules
Core Mathematics
Core Science
Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Science
Mechanics
Foundation Year Project

Year 1
In your first year, you will be introduced to the principles of mechanical engineering and develop skills such as computer-aided design (CAD). In a major design project, you’ll put your learned knowledge of conceptual design, manufacturing and testing into practice.

Core modules
Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Practice
Mechanical Design
Energy Systems
Design Project
Materials and Manufacture

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll be introduced to the principles of engineering designs and systems and begin to specialise in automotive engineering.

Core modules
Dynamics and Control
Engineering Systems
Mechanics of Materials
Thermofluids
Engineering Design
Manufacturing Engineering

Optional Placement Year
By doing a year placement in industry you’ll gain the right amount of work experience to reach Engineering Technician (EngTech) status. Our students have been on placement with companies including Paxton, BMW Mini, Cummins and Ricardo UK Ltd.

Final year
In your final year, areas of study include vehicle design and advanced fluid dynamics. You will also undertake an individual project which is often supported by industry.

Core modules
Control Systems for Automotive Applications
Vehicle Design
Automotive Computational Fluid Dynamics
Automotive Powertrain and Sensor Technology
Individual Project