BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering with Placement Year

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 75% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 6.0.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 92.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 67.
• DET Academic: A minimum overall score of 120.
• Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

Loughborough University offers a range of scholarships for international students to support their education and make studying in the UK more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, financial need, and the potential for students to contribute to the university community.

International Excellence Awards: These are merit-based scholarships offered to international students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These awards typically cover part of the tuition fees and are designed to attract outstanding students from around the globe.

Global Scholarships: Loughborough offers various global scholarships based on geographical location, supporting students from specific regions or countries with reduced tuition fees.

Loughborough University Elite Sports Scholarships: These are available for students who are competing at an elite level in their sport. The scholarship includes financial support, as well as access to the university's world-class sports facilities, coaching, and training programs.

Country-Specific Scholarships: Loughborough University offers country-specific scholarships for students from particular countries. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate high academic potential and a commitment to contributing to their home country upon graduation.

Loughborough University, one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions for engineering, provides a BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering with Placement Year that equips students with the necessary skills to succeed in a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. With its industry-focused curriculum, hands-on experience during the placement year, and close collaborations with top automotive companies, Loughborough University ensures that its graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of exciting career opportunities within the automotive sector.

Automotive Design Engineer: Automotive design engineers are responsible for the conceptualization and design of vehicles and vehicle components. They work on vehicle exteriors, interiors, and overall ergonomics to ensure the final product is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Graduates of Loughborough’s automotive engineering program can pursue careers in this field, working with automotive companies to design innovative and market-leading vehicles.

Vehicle Dynamics Engineer: Vehicle dynamics engineers analyze and optimize the performance of vehicles in terms of handling, ride quality, stability, and comfort. These engineers work on fine-tuning the vehicle’s suspension, steering systems, braking, and overall driveability to ensure optimal performance. For those with a deep understanding of vehicle systems and mechanical engineering, this role is a natural fit.

Powertrain Engineer: Powertrain engineers focus on the design, testing, and optimization of the vehicle’s engine and drivetrain. This includes working with traditional internal combustion engines, electric powertrains, and hybrid systems. Graduates can enter this area of automotive engineering to work on improving vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions, especially with the global shift towards more sustainable vehicle technologies.

Electronics and Embedded Systems Engineer: With the increasing reliance on electronics in modern vehicles, automotive electronics and embedded systems engineers are in high demand. These engineers focus on integrating complex electrical systems such as infotainment, safety features (such as airbags, anti-lock braking systems), and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Graduates with strong skills in electronics can work in this sector, developing cutting-edge technologies for both conventional and electric vehicles.

Automotive Safety Engineer: Safety engineers are responsible for ensuring vehicles meet the highest safety standards. They work on developing and testing safety systems, including airbags, crash protection systems, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). As the automotive industry continues to innovate in autonomous and connected vehicles, safety engineers play a crucial role in reducing accident rates and ensuring vehicle occupants' safety.

Autonomous Systems Engineer: Autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly advancing, and engineers in this field are responsible for developing the systems that enable self-driving cars. This involves working with technologies like machine learning, computer vision, and sensor fusion. For those interested in cutting-edge technology, the role of an autonomous systems engineer offers the opportunity to shape the future of transportation by contributing to the development of fully autonomous vehicles.

Manufacturing Engineer: Automotive manufacturing engineers focus on optimizing the production processes involved in building vehicles. They work on streamlining assembly lines, enhancing production efficiency, and ensuring quality control during the manufacturing process. With the automotive industry increasingly shifting to mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars, manufacturing engineers are essential for scaling up production to meet market demand.

Sustainability Engineer (Green Mobility): With the growing emphasis on sustainability, graduates with an interest in reducing the environmental impact of vehicles can pursue careers as sustainability engineers. These engineers work on developing environmentally friendly technologies such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, focusing on energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and improving battery technology. They also help design vehicles and manufacturing processes that comply with environmental regulations and sustainability goals.

Test Engineer: Automotive test engineers are responsible for testing vehicles and their components to ensure they meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards. They carry out extensive testing on various systems such as powertrains, braking systems, and crash safety. Graduates can pursue roles in automotive testing to evaluate and validate new vehicle models, components, and technologies to ensure they meet the highest industry standards.

Consulting Engineer: Consulting engineers offer expert advice to automotive companies on a wide range of issues such as vehicle design, performance optimization, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. This career option is ideal for graduates who want to work on diverse projects and provide innovative solutions to industry challenges. Consultants often work for specialized consulting firms or independently, bringing their engineering expertise to various clients in the automotive sector.

Research and Development (R&D) Engineer: R&D engineers play a key role in driving innovation in the automotive industry by working on the development of new technologies and systems. Whether focusing on electric vehicles, advanced materials, or autonomous driving, R&D engineers are involved in pioneering new solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle performance, efficiency, and safety. Graduates interested in research can contribute to the development of the next generation of automotive technologies.

Automotive Project Manager: Project managers oversee automotive projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required specifications. In the automotive industry, project managers coordinate between engineers, designers, and manufacturers to manage the lifecycle of vehicle production. Graduates with strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills can take on these roles, guiding large teams through complex vehicle development projects.

Automotive Software Engineer: As vehicles become increasingly connected and autonomous, automotive software engineers are in high demand. They design and develop software that powers vehicle systems, including infotainment, navigation, and autonomous driving technologies. Graduates with a strong background in software engineering and an interest in the automotive sector can specialize in this growing field.

Vehicle Production Manager: Vehicle production managers ensure that the manufacturing process runs smoothly and efficiently. They work to improve productivity, reduce waste, and maintain high-quality standards during vehicle production. This role is essential in ensuring that vehicles are produced efficiently, on time, and at the required quality standards.

Sales and Marketing Specialist (Automotive Industry): For graduates with an interest in business and marketing, sales and marketing roles within the automotive industry offer an exciting career path. These roles involve promoting and selling vehicles or automotive technologies, understanding consumer trends, and working with dealerships to maximize sales. Automotive sales specialists often work with car manufacturers, dealerships, and suppliers to position products in a competitive market.