BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year)
About this course
BEng(Hons) Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year), an engineering degree focusing on the design, analysis, and manufacture of vehicles and automotive systems. Core topics include Systems Design, Mathematical Modelling, and Project Management. This four-year full-time course includes a compulsory foundation year and offers an optional placement year. The course begins with a foundation year covering Engineering Experimentation, Foundation Group Project, Foundation Mechanics, Foundation Mathematics: Algebra and Calculus, and Introduction to Mechatronics. The first year builds fundamental knowledge through Professional Skills for Engineers, Design Fundamentals And Manufacturing Workshop, Thermofluids, Applied Electrical Technology, Dynamics Modelling and Simulation, and Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing. Year two advances technical capability with Project Management for Engineers, Automotive Powertrain Technologies, Applied Thermofluids, Dynamics, Structural Mechanics, and Systems Design. The final year focuses on advanced concepts and independent research through Engineering in Society, Advanced FEA for Design, Emerging Automotive Technology, Engineering Project, Vehicle Design Fundamentals, and Vehicle Dynamics. Students can also select optional modules such as Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Composite Engineering, and Materials and Structures for Special Applications.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent. Tariff points: 80 Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page. English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The University accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page. A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required. For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page. Access: No specific subjects required. Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Irish Highers: No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required. T Levels: No specific subjects required.
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 55%
- Learning resources: 74%
- Student voice: 55%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 19 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 280 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 8%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 60%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UKSPEC. The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Engineering Experimentation
- Foundation Group Project
- Foundation Mechanics
- Foundation Mathematics: Algebra and Calculus
- Introduction to Mechatronics
- Professional Skills for Engineers
- Design Fundamentals And Manufacturing Workshop
- Thermofluids
- Applied Electrical Technology
- Dynamics Modelling and Simulation
- Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing
- Project Management for Engineers
- Automotive Powertrain Technologies
- Applied Thermofluids
- Dynamics
- Structural Mechanics
- Systems Design
- Engineering in Society*
- Advanced FEA for Design
- Emerging Automotive Technology
- Engineering Project
- Vehicle Design Fundamentals
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Advanced Manufacturing Technology
- Composite Engineering
- Materials and Structures for Special Applications
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £31,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £44,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Production and manufacturing engineering.
What do graduates of BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
The average entrant had 79 UCAS points.
Is BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol accredited?
Yes. The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UKSPEC. The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
Does BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BEng Automotive Engineering (with Foundation Year) at UWE Bristol?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.