Overview
- Start dateOctober
- DurationOne year full-time
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group project 20%, Individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typeFull-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The MSc in Automotive Engineering is suitable for graduates in engineering, physics or mathematics, and will prepare you for a career in this exciting field, from engine design to hybrid and electric vehicles, chassis and braking operations, and much more.
Why this course?
This course aims to provide graduates with the technical qualities, transferable skills and independent learning ability to make them effective in organisations that design and develop automotive products. Our strategic links with industry ensure that all of the course material is relevant, timely and meets the needs of organisations competing within the automotive sector. This industry-led education makes Cranfield graduates some of the most desirable in the world for automotive companies to recruit.
We offer students the opportunity to study in a postgraduate only environment where Masters' graduates can go onto secure positions in full-time employment in their chosen field, or undertake academic research. You will be taught by leading academics as well as industrial practitioners, and work alongside a strong research team at Cranfield University. Industry placements are on offer during research work.
Informed by Industry
The MSc in Automotive Engineering is directed by an Industrial Advisory Panel comprising senior engineers from the automotive sector. This maintains course relevancy and ensures that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge required by leading employers. You will have the opportunity to meet this panel and present your individual research project to them at an annual event held in July. Panel members include:
- Mr Rod J Calvert OBE (Chair), Automotive Management Consultant
- Mr Steve Miles, Blacksmiths
- Mr Clive Crewe, AVL
- Mr Peter Stoker, Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd
- Mr Stefan Strahnz, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One
- Mr Chris Haines, Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd
- Mr Paul McCarthy, JCB Power Systems
- Mr Steve Swift, Polestar Automotive UK Ltd
- Mr Doug Cross, Leadfoot Limited Balance Batteries
- Mr Stephen Henson, Barclays UK Retail and Business Bank
- Dr Leon Rosario, Ricardo Global Automotive Group
- Mr David Hudson, Tata Motors European Technology Centre
- Professor Iain Bomphray, Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, NMIS, Williams Advanced Engineering
- Mr Keith Benjamin, Jaguar Land Rover
- Mr Tobias Knichel, Punch Flybrid Limited
- Dr Charlie Wartnaby, Applus IDIADA
Course details
This course comprises eight compulsory taught modules that are assessed via a combination of written exams and individual coursework assignments, a group project and an individual research project.
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, Group project 20%, Individual research project 40%
Group project
You will undertake a substantial group project between October and March, which focuses on designing and optimising a particular vehicle system/assembly. This is designed to prepare you for the project-based working environment within the majority of the automotive industry.
As a group, you will be required to present your findings, market the product and demonstrate technical expertise in the form of a written submission and a presentation to the Industrial Advisory Board, academic staff and fellow students. This presentation provides the opportunity to develop presentation skills and effectively handle questions about complex issues in a professional manner.
For more information on previous Group Design Projects click here
Individual project
The individual research project is the largest single component of the course taking place between April and August. It allows you to develop specialist skills in an area of your choice by taking the theory from the taught modules and joining it with practical application, usually involving a design feasibility assessment, systems analysis or facility development. Most of the projects are initiated by industrial contacts or associated with current research programmes.
In recent years, some industry sponsors have given students the opportunity to be based on site. Thesis topics will often become the basis of an employment opportunity or PhD research topic.
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.
Automotive Engineering Induction
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Vehicle Design Powertrain and Performance
Aim |
• Provide deep understanding of vehicle concepts and designs, including major systems, assemblies and components.
• Establish approaches and procedures to analysing and predicting vehicle performance. • Develop methodologies to predicting critical loading cases, selecting materials and manufacturing methods, dimensioning and fully specifying vehicle systems, assemblies and components. • Critically evaluate the integration of different alternative powertrain options and be able to select appropriate solutions within the context of realistic constraints on performance, efficiency, and drivability. • Qualify students to generate novel automotive vehicle concepts and designs that are passenger friendly, structurally sound, safe, fuel efficient, environmentally friendly, refined and comply with legislation. |
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Syllabus |
Basic vehicle characteristics: Vehicle concepts, centre of gravity position, static and dynamic loads and weight distributions, front, rear and all wheel drive. Adhesion coefficient and influencing factors. Traction, braking and resistance to motion. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Assess and critically evaluate various vehicle concepts, determine their characteristics, advantages and limitations. Analyse various vehicle, system and assembly designs; compare their characteristics, advantages and limitations using valid criteria. 2. Interpret and apply legislative requirements in generating vehicle concepts and designs. 3. Predict resistances to motion, determine powertrain system characteristics, calculate vehicle performance (max. speed, acceleration, gradient, fuel economy etc). 4. Generate novel vehicle concepts, match characteristics of powertrain systems and components; optimise vehicle performance characteristics for the selected criteria / benchmarks. 5. Generate new vehicle, system, assembly and component designs, dimension and optimise them for the specified critical load cases, materials and manufacturing methods. Perform necessary activities in order to ensure the vehicles and systems are efficient, safe, and comply with regulations. |
Engine Design and Performance
Aim |
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Syllabus |
The module includes a systems view of engine technology including: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Automotive Control and Simulation
Aim |
• To equip you with the skills needed to understand, design and assess single-variable feedback control algorithms using classical control techniques for use in automotive systems. |
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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 |
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Vehicle Structures
Aim |
The module offers combination of fundamental concepts lectures, engineering theories, lab exercises, finite element modelling, simulations and tutorials. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Vehicle Materials and Manufacturing
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
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Vehicle Dynamics
Aim |
• To introduce students to road vehicle ride and handling, from requirements to analytical modelling and practical viewpoints. • To link understanding of vehicle dynamics, ride and handling to the practical implications for suspension and steering system design. |
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Syllabus |
The module will provide knowledge in vehicle dynamics ride and handling from subjective and objective requirements to analytical methods in developing passive ride and handling models. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Vehicle Electrification and Hybridisation
Aim |
The aim of this module is to empower the students with the capability to analysis, synthesis, and evaluate various technologies and integration challenges associated with the electric and hybrid vehicles. The module is structured to provide an in-depth knowledge and expertise for design and development of the main systems, components, architectures of the Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The module includes case-studies of commercially available Hybrid and Electric vehicles and current research projects. |
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Syllabus |
Course content includes:
• Introduction to Hybrid and Electric Vehicles systems and powertrain architectures. • Introduction to Electric Motors, Power Electronics and Electric Drives, and Motor Control. • High voltage electrical architectures and the integration of power electronics systems • Automotive energy storage systems: o Batteries, ultracapacitors, flywheels and hydraulic accumulators o System design, integration and energy management • The integration of electrical machines and their electric drive systems o Technology options o System design and sizing • The mechanical integration of the hybrid propulsion system including the use of split-path transmissions • Energy Management and supervisory control for CO2 reduction, fuel saving, vehicle performance and driveability • The role of energy recovery systems including regenerative brake strategies and vehicle integration challenges • Modelling, simulation and analysis of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles and its sub-systems, using model based approach, including Mil, SiL, and HiL • Recent Electric and Hybrid vehicle technologies case studies |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to: |
Automotive Engineering Design Project
Aim |
1. Plan and manage automotive projects at an advanced level, to time and budget. 2. Work efficiently in a team, communicate professionally and make decisions; take a role of a leader/manager. 3. Understand automotive technology, markets, IP and regulatory issues, standards, suppliers’ role, lead times and costs. 4. Effectively use 3D CAD modelling, wider CEA technology, one-dimensional numerical modelling and virtual design methods within the automotive product development. 5. Establish novel, original, competitive and realistic vehicle, assembly and system concepts and detailed designs at an advance stage, leading to prototype manufacture. |
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Syllabus |
The assignment, methods of delivery and course content are all aligned to achieve the module objectives. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 1. Plan and manage projects, demonstrate awareness of time, resource and budgetary constraints. Interpret project briefs and demonstrate initiative in generating new designs, taking into consideration automotive markets. 2. Be an effective team member, undertake various roles, including that of a leader; adapt rapidly and make tangible, measurable contributions under pressure. Be assertive when communicating within the team, with potential suppliers and customers. 3. Exercise sound judgement based on modelling results, facts and trends. Act professionally and confidently in complex situations, when insufficient or conflicting data is available. 4. Appreciate Intellectual Property (IP) and regulatory aspects, as well as standards, and use/apply them effectively in vehicle/system development. 5. Effectively apply Computer Aided Engineering in conceptual and detailed design, at component, assembly, system and vehicle level. Evaluate 3D geometrical parts using underlying associativity and generate 2D drawings. 6. Perform necessary analyses to develop concepts into detailed designs, leading to prototype manufacture. Demonstrate appreciation for materials, manufacturing methods, lead times and associate costs. 7. Effectively use and combine the knowledge gained in other modules of the Course. |
Teaching team
The course director for this programme is Dr Glenn Sherwood.
Accreditation
on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
The best part of the course is to meet lots of different people in different environments, and to do the Group Design Project. We had to do measurements, research, literature review and a really good project. To be here with people from the automotive industry – they know more than us for sure, so we can learn a lot and it is a great opportunity.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Automotive Engineering MSc. I was very interested in the engine modules – the engine modules and lubrication – and simulation performance. Vehicle dynamics and powertrain performance was also a very interesting module.
We’ve had quite a few guest lecturers – diesel emissions experts from Ford and one who was from VCA talking about legislation and vehicle regulations testing, so we’ve had a good amount of input from the industry.
Your career
Our postgraduate Automotive Engineering course provides you with the necessary skills for a career in the automotive industry. Cranfield’s automotive graduates have an excellent employment record and currently occupy positions of high responsibility in industry, such as managers of research establishments, chief engineers, engine and vehicle programme managers. Some of our graduates decide to continue their education through PhD studies with Cranfield University.
Companies that have recruited graduates of this course include:
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Lotus
- Millbrook Proving Ground
- McLaren
- Ricardo.
We also arrange company visits and career open days with key employers.
How to apply
Applications need to be made online. Click the 'Apply now' button at the top of this page.
Once you have set up an account you will be able to create, save and amend your application form before submitting it.