BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year)

Program Overview

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), located in the United Kingdom, offers a highly regarded BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year) program, situated within the Swansea College of Art. This comprehensive undergraduate degree is meticulously designed to prepare students for a successful career in the dynamic automotive and broader transport industries, providing an invaluable year of integrated industry experience. The program encourages students to think globally, focusing on the development of skills needed to design sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles. Graduates are trained not only to create innovative designs with real-world applications but also to consider the social, legal, and ethical issues impacting the future of transportation. The curriculum combines traditional design skills, such as clay modeling, with modern technologies like computer-aided design (CAD), Virtual Reality (VR), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), ensuring students are proficient in industry-standard tools. Taught by experienced automotive designers, along with guest lecturers and industry experts, the program provides a rich learning environment, culminating in a highly employable individual.

Curriculum: The BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year) curriculum at UWTSD is structured to build a strong foundation in design from the ground up, spanning four years including the placement year. In the initial years, students delve into core design skills including design thinking (creative and analytical methods), sketching, rendering, prototyping, and communication. They gain familiarity with a range of industry-standard digital design tools and acquire knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes through modules like "3D CAD & Visualisation," "Automotive Design Techniques," "Creative Design Development," and "Materials & Manufacturing." The third year is dedicated to the "Independent Professional Placement," allowing students to apply their skills in a professional setting and gain practical experience. The final year focuses on advanced digital modeling, visualization, and culminates in a significant "Major Design Project" that showcases their skills and creativity.

Research Focus: The research focus within the BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year) program at UWTSD is centered on fostering innovation and addressing the future challenges of transportation design. Students are encouraged to think critically about the evolution of vehicles and transport systems, considering social, environmental, and political challenges on a global scale. The program integrates research-informed teaching, with projects that push students to explore sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicle concepts. The use of advanced digital visualization tools and practical skills like clay modeling supports students in their material investigations and conceptual development. This enables them to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding future mobility solutions and responsible design practices, often drawing on their experiences from the placement year.

Industry Engagement: UWTSD's BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year) program boasts exceptional industry engagement, a key differentiator for preparing graduates for professional careers. The curriculum is designed to replicate a professional environment, with projects that often involve collaborations with major companies such as McLaren. The crucial "Independent Professional Placement" year provides invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to work within an industry setting and apply their learned skills, making them highly attractive to employers upon graduation. This industrial contact allows students to develop their skills in response to real-world scenarios, building a portfolio of innovative work that explores the future of travel and vehicle design for land, sea, and air. The program team encourages students to participate in professional bodies like the Chartered Society of Designers and the Royal Society of Arts, and the university provides access to sector-leading facilities and experienced staff with extensive industry backgrounds.

Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Automotive and Transport Design (With Placement Year) program at UWTSD inherently embraces a strong global perspective. It encourages students to "think globally" and design vehicles with a keen awareness of future transportation on a global scale, considering social, environmental, and political challenges worldwide. The curriculum's emphasis on creating sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles directly reflects international concerns and demands. Students utilize digital tools and techniques used by top designers globally, preparing them for an international job market. The integrated placement year can also offer opportunities for international exposure, further broadening their understanding of global design practices and cultural influences. The program's commitment to producing graduates ready to design the vehicles of the future positions them to contribute to the global evolution of transport design, fostering adaptability and relevance in a diverse, interconnected industry.