Postgraduate Prospectus
Automotive Product Engineering MSc
Suitable for anyone enthusiastic about entering the automotive industry and for automotive engineers wishing to develop specialist skills. You should have a good basic qualification in engineering, mathematics or an applied science and demonstrate the motivation for an automotive career.
Takes you on to a career in the automotive industry. Cranfield automotive graduates have an excellent employment record and currently occupy positions of high responsibility in industry, such as managers of research establishments, chief engineers and engine and vehicle programme managers.
You will be taught by academic staff with experience in industry as well as in other academic institutions. Staff have led many research projects, written many technical papers and lectured worldwide. An important part of the course are lectures given by leading engineers in the automotive industry and integrated within the main modules.
Course description
Automotive Product Engineering is the application of engineering principles to the design and analysis of the automobile in order to satisfy a performance specification. This well-established course has excellent industrial links and an outstanding long-term record for employment of its graduates.
The course includes the study of:
- vehicle performance, system and component design
- vehicle concepts, ergonomics and packaging
- vehicle structures and crashworthiness
- piston engines, combustion and emissions
- engine tribology
- finite element and computer aided engineering methods
- vehicle ride, handling dynamics and tyre behaviour
- automotive control and dynamic simulation
- automotive industry organisation and project management
Students’ work is well supported by facilities including vehicles and vehicle subsystems, instrumentation, computers and industry standard software and tool chains. The automotive laboratories include dynamometers for whole vehicle and engine testing, instrumented vehicles for handling and performance testing, and special-purpose rigs for assemblies and component testing.
Two terms of work are structured around an integrated lecture programme supported by a variety of assignments and exercises, some individual and others in small groups. Students also get the opportunity to experience vehicle dynamics in practical sessions using a specially modified skid car.
“Having worked in the automotive industry beforehand, I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve from the course. I am pleased to say that Cranfield delivered on every aspect. What I enjoyed most however, was the strong emphasis on teamwork and personal development, as well as the excellent facilities and tutelage. I would have no hesitation in recommending the course to prospective students.”
Modules:
- Automotive Control and Simulation
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Vehicle Design Powertrain and Performance
- Vehicle Structures and Crashworthiness
- Engines Fuels and Lubrication
- Automotive Engineering Project
Group project
Students undertake substantial group work in designing and optimising a particular vehicle system/assembly. Presentations are arranged to the Industrial Advisory Panel members (consisting of practicing automotive engineers and managers), academic staff and fellow students, to market the product and demonstrate technical expertise. These presentations give students the opportunity to develop presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.
Individual project thesis
Each student conducts an individual project thesis which may involve research, a design feasibility assessment, systems analysis or facility development. Most of the projects are initiated by industrial contacts or associated with current research programmes.
Entry requirements
1st or 2nd class UK honours degree or equivalent in engineering, mathematics or an applied science.
Duration
1 year full-time.
Start date
October.
Number of places
30
Assessment
Examinations 25%, group work and assignments 35%, individual project 40%.
Funding
A variety of sources, including competitive bursaries. Please contact us for details.
Further details & applications
Further information
Contact
SoE Admissions - APE
T: +44 (0)1234 754708
E: soe_ape@cranfield.ac.uk
ATAS certificate required
Students requiring a Tier 4 General Student visa to study in the UK may need to apply for an ATAS certificate to study this course.
Application process
By completion of an application form for postgraduate study.
Online application
Teaching location
Cranfield campus, School of Engineering.
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