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Automotive Engineering

Entry requirements


A level

A*,A,A

A*AA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, with the A* in Mathematics or Physics if presented. 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. Excludes A-level General Studies or Critical Thinking. Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), International Project Qualification (IPQ) and Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (ASCC): Whilst we recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, we do not currently include them as part of our offer-making. We do, however, encourage you to provide further information on your project in your personal statement.

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

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D2,D3,D3

D2, D3, D3 including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, where the D2 must be in either Mathematics or Physics.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language at grade C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.

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

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

H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry where a H1 must be in either Mathematics or Physics.

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.

Scottish Higher

A,A,A,A,A

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

UCAS Tariff

152-165

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subject

Automotive engineering

From 2035, all new vehicles sold in the UK must be electric, which means that the next generation of automotive engineers needs to be trained now to meet the needs of this rapidly changing industry. The development of hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicle technology to replace traditional internal combustion engines is already transforming the automotive engineering sector.

The key issues facing automotive engineers include designing sustainable hybrid and electric vehicles that meet increasing safety and performance standards and challenging cost-efficiency targets. As well as in-depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, specialist knowledge and skills are also needed to succeed in this sector. That’s why you’ll learn both traditional automotive engineering and electric, hybrid vehicle technology. You’ll also develop an awareness of the commercial issues that impact design and production processes.

Studying automotive engineering at Leeds will develop your abilities, knowledge and skills – and our close links with industry ensure that you’ll be prepared to meet the most pressing needs of the automotive sector. From your first day, you'll be encouraged to join our Formula Student team, Leeds Gryphon Racing and engage in the development of an IC, electric or autonomous race car. Early participation in Formula Student has helped some of our students to secure industrial placements with leading automotive companies, formula electric and Formula One teams.

This is a practical course, so you’ll benefit from specialist facilities including extensive lab space and equipment, our high-spec computer cluster for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) work and computational modelling, in aerodynamic analysis for example, and workshop facilities for various rapid prototyping systems. You’ll also develop your programming skills in industry standard languages like Matlab and for microprocessor systems, giving you everything you need to get started on your career in engineering.

**Why study at Leeds**
- This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

- Work on your own mechanical projects, putting into practice what you have learned by designing, manufacturing and assembling devices and testing their performance.

- Our globally-renowned research here at Leeds helps to solve real-world mechanical engineering problems and feeds directly into your course, shaping what you learn with the latest thinking.

- Access specialist facilities, including a high-spec computer cluster and extensive laboratory space.

- We have strong university links with 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 with our industrial placement opportunities or study abroad programmes.

- At the end of your second year, there’s the possibility of transferring to the four-year integrated Masters (MEng, BEng).

- Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society MechEngSoc. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds who share your passion for mechanical engineering.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

School of Mechanical Engineering

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

80%
Automotive engineering

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Production and manufacturing engineering

Teaching and learning

76%
Staff make the subject interesting
88%
Staff are good at explaining things
80%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
73%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

80%
Library resources
78%
IT resources
80%
Course specific equipment and facilities
61%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

56%
UK students
44%
International students
96%
Male students
4%
Female students
89%
2:1 or above
5%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A*
A
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Production and manufacturing engineering

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£25,000
med
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education
74%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

24%
Design occupations
21%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
13%
Engineering professionals

Graduates are in significant demand, so unemployment rates are well below the national graduate average and starting salaries are well above average. Much the most common industries for these graduates are now vehicle manufacture - there are not enough people with these degrees to go round and so the big employers tend to take the lion's share at the moment. But pretty much anywhere there is manufacturing, there are production engineers. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Production and manufacturing engineering

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£27k

£27k

£31k

£31k

£36k

£36k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
Durham University | Durham
Engineering (Civil)
BEng (Hon) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 152-168
Same University
University of Leeds | Leeds
Mechanical Engineering
BEng (Hon) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 152-165

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here