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Automotive Engineering

  • 3 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Prepare yourself for a varied career in mechanical engineering, the electric and hybrid automotive industries, and motorsport.
The development of hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicle technology is already transforming the automotive engineering sector. From 2035, all new vehicles sold in the UK must be electric, meaning the next generation of automotive engineers is needed to meet the demands of this rapidly changing industry.
Studying automotive engineering at Leeds will develop practical skills and knowledge, while our close industry links ensure you’ll be prepared to meet the pressing needs of the automotive and motorsport sectors. From your first day, you'll be encouraged to join our Formula Student team,  Leeds Gryphon Racing, and engage in the development of racing cars. Early participation in Formula Student and motorsport activities has helped some of our students secure industrial placements with leading automotive companies, Formula E and F1 teams.
In this highly practical course, you’ll engage in computer-aided design (CAD) work and computational modelling for aerodynamic analysis, and learn how to conduct rapid prototyping. You’ll also develop your programming skills to analyse vehicle performance and safety. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and skills to kickstart your automotive engineering career.

Why study at Leeds

  • Highly regarded: This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

  • Work on your own mechanical projects: Put your learning into practice by designing, manufacturing and assembling devices and testing their performance.

  • Globally-renowned research: Our academics shape what you learn with the latest thinking so you can solve real-world mechanical engineering problems.

  • Access specialist facilities: These include a high-spec computer cluster and extensive laboratory space.

  • We have strong university links: Benefit from the Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Robotics Leeds, the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

  • Develop your experience and boost your career prospects: Access our industrial placement opportunities or study abroad programmes.

  • Transfer to the four-year integrated Masters (MEng, BEng): At the end of your second year, there’s the possibility of transferring onto a Masters to fast-track your career.

  • Make the most of your time at Leeds: Join our student society MechEngSoc. It’s a great opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who share your passion for mechanical engineering.

Rankings and awards
Top 100 in the world for Engineering and Technology, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Top 10 in the UK for Mechanical Engineering, Complete University Guide 2026

Where this degree could take you
Here are some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

  • Flight Physics Graduate, Airbus UK

  • Graduate Engineer, Bentley Motors

  • Offshore Wind Research Engineer, EDF Energy R&D UK Centre

  • Driveline Systems Development Engineer, JTEKT Corporation

  • Chassis Project Engineer, McLaren Automotive

  • Graduate Track Engineer, Motor Insurance Research Centre

  • Mechanical Engineering Graduate, Network Rail

  • Graduate Engineer, Nissan

  • Junior Systems Design Engineer, Red Bull Racing

  • Mechanical Engineer, Rolls Royce

  • Automotive Engineer, Triumph Motorcycles

Career support
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Mechanical Engineers, Institution of

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

University of Leeds has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

A-level: A*AA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Where an A-level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-level at the stated grade.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ),International Project Qualification (IPQ): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers the EPQ, IPQ or ASCC we may make an offer of AAA at A-level including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, plus grade A in EPQ/IPQ/Welsh Bacc ASCC.

T Level
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAAA

AA at Advanced Higher level including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, and AAAAA at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, with Distinction, to include Mathematics, Calculus, Further Calculus and Physics or Chemistry.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language grade 4 (C) or higher, or an equivalent English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English instead of GCSE English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

18 points at higher level to include 6 points in higher level Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

DDD (RQF) in an Engineering-related BTEC and a grade A in A Level Mathematics.

We cannot consider BTEC qualifications without A Level Mathematics and do not accept BTEC Maths units in lieu of this A Level requirement

Please note – there may be different requirements for the older QCF BTECs, please contact Admissions.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1H1H2H2H2H2

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D2D3D3

D2, D3, D3 including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: We will accept the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate in lieu of a third A-Level at the same grade, assuming any subject specific requirements are met using alternative qualifications.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Subject to places being available, you must achieve our published first year entry requirements and the relevant % average in your first year of study. Learning outcomes of year 1 of the degree programme you are applying to must also have been met. https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/4794/automotive-engineering-beng#entry

Additional entry requirements

Other
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background. Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted. If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application. Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions. Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: AAB including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, plus, a pass in the Access to Leeds Scheme. Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Applicants If you are a mature applicant and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and Math qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Further information on the support available for mature students can be found at https://www.leeds.ac.uk/mature-students. For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section.https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-admissions/doc/entry-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

International entry requirements

To see the equivalent entry requirements for your country, please visit our website. https://www.leeds.ac.uk/admissions-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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