This course will equip you with the skills you need to be an accomplished Automotive Engineer. In your first year you’ll develop an excellent foundation in engineering, and then from the second year you will specialise in vehicle systems.
We host the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) which has allowed us to forge excellent links with many local industrial companies including the Nissan plant and its supply chain, among others.
Please contact us to discuss part-time options.
Why us?
- 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
- 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
- According to the National Student Survey 2018, our Mechanical, Production and Manufacturing Engineering courses are ranked 3rd in the UK for Assessment and feedback and Academic support, 5th for Organisation and management, 9th for The teaching on my course and Overall satisfaction, and are in the top 25% for Learning resources and Student voice
- Automotive Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as partially fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
- 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.
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.
Employment
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
Sunderland has a good reputation with employers. 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.