Overview
- Start dateSeptember
- DurationOne year full-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group project 20%, Individual project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
This course aims to provide students with a sound understanding of the fundamental scientific, engineering and managerial principles involved in motorsport. A combination of mechanics, electronics and computer systems, this postgraduate programme prepares graduates for a career in motorsport or high performance engineering.
Why this course?
This course aims to provide you with a sound understanding of the fundamental scientific, engineering and managerial principles involved in motorsport, and their implementation within a high performance technology context.
Students will cover design, testing and operation of competition vehicles, and related aspects of control engineering, computer modelling, embedded systems, alongside vehicle dynamics, vehicle systems, and management techniques related to motorsport.
You will be taught the skills required for the planning, execution and reporting of motorsport projects and to prepare them for a variety of roles in motorsport.
Cranfield University has undertaken research, consultancy and testing for the motorsport sector since the 1970s. The University is home to the FIA approved Cranfield Impact Centre and Cranfield Motorsport Simulation which work with F1 and leading motorsport companies. We have an international reputation for our expertise in aerodynamics, CFD, materials technology, including composites, safety of motorsport vehicle structures, power-train development, vehicle dynamics, simulation, data acquisition and electronics, tyre characterisation and modelling. This track record ensures the course is highly respected by the motorsport industry.
- Practical sessions using Cranfield's facilities and equipment
- Engagement with motorsport practitioners
- Motorsport related project work.
Informed by Industry
As of February 2020 the following are members of Cranfield University Motorsport MSc Steering Committee:
- Adrian Reynard: Director – ARC, Cranfield University Honorary Doctorate and Motorsport Visiting Professor to Cranfield University (Chair of the Committee)
- Paul Crofts: Chief Technologist Process and Vertical Integration – Integral Powertrain Ltd (Deputy Chair of the Committee)
- Chris Aylett: Chief Executive – The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)
- Owen Carless: Head of Stress, Front of Car – Red Bull Technology
- Dr Antonio Ciriello: Managing Director - AVL UK
- Jane Gilham: Head of Human Resources – Xtrac Ltd
- Ian Goddard: Head of Technical Partnerships – Renault Sport Formula One Team
- John Grant: Chairman – British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC)
- Sylvain Filippi: Managing Director – Virgin Racing Formula E Team
- Ron Harvelt: Managing Director – One Group Engineering
- Gerry Hughes: Principal - Gx2 Consulting Ltd
- Dr Pete James: CEO - Lyra Electronics
- Rob Kirk: Head of Motorsport Electronics – Cosworth
- David Lapworth: Technical Director – Prodrive
- Dr Cristiana Pace: Motorsport Consultant
- Mike Pilbeam: Director – Pilbeam Racing Designs
- Stuart Robertson: Head of Circuit and Rally Safety – FIA
- John Ryan: Sport, Safety & Technical Director - Motorsport UK
- Isaac Sanchez: Director Direzione Gestione Sportiva, UT Innovation & Special Projects – Ferrari Spa
- Neil Spalding: Director - Sigma Performance and Technical Consultant Moto GP
- Stefan Strahnz: Project Pioneer Programme Manager - Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Motorsport
- Pat Symonds: Chief Technical Officer – Formula One and Visiting Professor to Cranfield University
- Christopher Tate: Motorsport Consultant
- Iain Wight: Business Development Director – Williams Advanced Engineering
Course details
The MSc course consists of nine one-week taught modules, a motorsport mechatronics group design project and an individual thesis project.
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, Group project 20%, Individual project 40%
Group project
Group design projects (GDPs) are an important element within our Motorsport MSc courses. GDPs run from February to May. The GDP is an applied, multidisciplinary, team-based activity, providing students with the opportunity to apply principles taught during their MSc courses. With support from the Motorsport Steering Committee and wider industry community, Cranfield’s GDPs provide MSc students with experience of working on real challenges which the motorsport sector faces now and in the future.
The GDPs have been described as being very close to real-world working. In addition to the technical challenges, students develop their skills during a phase of group working that culminates in the submission of technical reports, group presentations to academics and then to "industry", team meeting minutes that reflect individual contributions and individual reflective reports. Team working experience, which students develop during the GDP phase, is highly valued by students and prospective employers, alike. A key aspect is the student’s own evaluation of their skills at the onset of the GDP and how these develop. Their fellow team members provide peer assessment which forms part of a discussion with academic staff. The students then focus on two areas based on the feedback which their peers support. Cranfield’s GDPs have proven very successful in developing new conceptual designs and systems which have been implemented in competition vehicles and have even influenced technical and sporting regulations.
The nature of the GDP work is very much applied with the Motorsport MSc students accessing facilities and equipment here at Cranfield together with support from the academic team and technicians.
There is a competitive dimension to the GPDs. On the "industry day" there are:
- The Motorsport UK prize for the best team presentation on the day.
- The Racecar Engineering prize for the best group poster.
Recent winners of the Racecar Engineering prize
2019 - Falcon Hybrid
2018 - EVRAID
Individual project
Individual thesis projects allow the students to deepen their understanding through research work related to motorsport mechatronics. Students self-manage their thesis projects with support from their academic supervisor and industry contact, if part of their project. The conclusion of their research work is a concisely written thesis report and the presentation of a poster outlining their project.
On occasion, Cranfield theses have formed the basis of technical articles published in journals such as Racecar Engineering. Below is an example of a fully autonomous small-scale vehicle developed by one of our students in collaboration with a local motorsport company.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Induction and Introduction to Motorsport
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
• History of motorsport and competition vehicle development. • Competition vehicle categories. • Sporting and technical regulations. • Design of competition vehicles. • Overview of the motorsport sector in the UK. • Introduction to software packages related to motorsport engineering. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Distinguish the MSc courses in the context of motorsport engineering and the industry sector which underpins it. |
Motorsport Electronics and Data Acquisition
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Motorsport Vehicle Dynamics
Module Leader |
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
• Tyre shear force development, measurement and characterisation • Suspension geometry description and analysis – important properties • Steady turning equilibrium states; suspension/chassis interactions; roll angles, load transfers, jacking • Yaw/sideslip handling dynamics; steady turn responses, understeer and oversteer; stability and controllability (a) small perturbations from straight running (b) small perturbations from cornering trim • Limit behaviour and design aspects; differentials and brake balancing • Simulation tools and model building • Vibration behaviour of car and wheels; springs; dampers; track roughness and the use of electro-hydraulic shaker rigs for setup. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Appraise the performance limits of a competition vehicle and the sources of such limitations. |
Vehicle Control Applications
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Aim |
The aim of this module is to cover a range of applications of control theory and machine learning techniques in different components of an advanced vehicle including engine, electric motor, energy storage, chassis, suspension, steering, advanced driver-assistance systems, etc. |
Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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The Business of Motorsport
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Aim |
To provide students with a series of learning activities during which they will acquire an understanding of how to apply management techniques to the context of motorsport and thus building an awareness of the specific management challenges faced in this sector. The course aims to encourage students to acquire skills in information gathering, the processing of information, analysis and communication and these skills will be assessed by group presentation and by written group assignment. |
Syllabus |
• The business context for motorsport organisations • Managing motorsport businesses strategically • Creating and sustaining competitive advantage in motorsport • Commercial aspects of motorsport management • Marketing and motorsport including branding, media and sponsorship • Financing motorsport businesses and their on-going financial management. • Project management and motorsport • Managing technical knowledge and expertise in motorsport • Technology transfer and opportunities for diversification. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Appraise the specific management challenges facing the motorsport sector. |
Motorsport Powertrains
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Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Mechatronics Modelling for Vehicle Systems
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Aim |
• To introduce students to modelling techniques, from basic methodology to graphical modelling and practical viewpoints. • To illustrate the role of first principle and data-driven modelling. |
Syllabus |
Course content includes: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: 1. Compare and criticise the different analogies that can be made between all system dynamics. |
Advanced Control and Optimisation
Module Leader |
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Aim |
• To introduce students to the tools and methodology associated with multivariable control design techniques. • To provide students with practical experience in designing and simulating advanced modern controllers within the context of multi-domain automotive systems. |
Syllabus |
The module will provide knowledge in advanced control design tools and techniques and advance analytical methods in designing multivariable controllers with applications in the automotive engineering area. The theory of the multivariable controls will be introduced and then their use will be illustrated and developed by example applications. The theory and applications will be interleaved with selected associated topics (listed below) as appropriate through the module. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: |
Embedded Vehicle Control Systems
Module Leader |
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Aim |
Within the context of modern automotive control system, the aim of this module is for students to critically evaluate the different technologies and methods required for the efficient vehicle implementation, validation and verification of the automotive mechatronic system. |
Syllabus |
Course content includes: • A review of modern automotive control hardware requirements and architectures |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: |
Teaching team
The course director for this programme is Clive Temple.
Accreditation
Accreditation is being sought for MSc in Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
Your career
Motorsport is a highly competitive sector. Studying at Cranfield will immerse you in a highly focused motorsport engineering learning experience, providing you with access to motorsport companies and practitioners. Securing employment is ultimately down to the student who completes the job applications and attends the interviews. Successful students go on to be part of a network of engineers. You will find Cranfield alumni working across motorsport and the high performance engineering sector.
How to apply
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.
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I feel that the MSc in Advanced Motorsport Engineering at Cranfield was an incredible experience I would not have been able to have anywhere else. I completed my thesis project with Mercedes AMG F1 which has further progressed into a full time job as a Test and Development Engineer.
Jessica Harris, Structural System Engineer