Overview
Can you design the cars and vehicles of tomorrow? Whether you want to improve performance, lower carbon emissions, develop the perfect electric car or make vehicles safer, our four-year MEng Automotive Engineering course will get you there. Study in Chelmsford, and work towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status when you graduate.
Find out more about teaching options and studying during COVID-19 in the Entry requirements section, below.
Careers
Mechanical engineering is possibly the most varied discipline in engineering. You'll have the opportunity to work in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, renewable energies, 3D printing, and almost any product development and product-related application.
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
In addition to our links with industry, our Employability Service and Placements Team offer opportunities to gain experience and employment through internships and career fairs. You can also take advantage of mentoring schemes, CV surgeries and interview preparation sessions.
Modules & assessment
Year 1 (level 4) modules
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Start your journey to becoming a mechanical engineer and discover the wide range of applications and disciplines related to this industry. By gaining insight into career opportunities at this early stage in the course you can follow your interests throughout your study. You will learn about role of engineering in society, environmental issues, and sustainability, looking at ethical issues in engineering and the importance of marketing, commercial understanding, engineering standards, and legal aspects of pursuing a career in engineering. You will cover the history of mechanical engineering, motivating you with inspiring successes that have changed the human life forever, as well as learning lessons from failures. Through this module students will get the opportunity to visit manufacturing and engineering companies and to start to think and critically analyse as an engineer, discovering how to breakdown complex systems into parts and subparts in mechanical engineering terms so that you can simplify complex systems. Visits from guest lecturers from industry will also be encouraged, as will visits by representatives from the professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. You’ll be encouraged to join professional bodies such as IMechE and IET and use the advantages from this throughout your course.
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Develop the underpinning engineering skills needed to solve technical problems and communicate technical ideas and concepts. These skills are essential for the successful completion of your project and knowledge based modules. The module will be divided into two main areas; Mathematics and technical report writing. Mathematics will focus on the basic mathematical skills needed to understand the language of mathematics and to interpret engineering mathematical expressions. Algebraic skills will also be extensively developed to carry out mathematical analysis and solve engineering problems. The module will also introduce the mathematics of trigonometry and geometry and their application to solve practical engineering problems. Technical report writing is a fundamental communication skill for engineers and will be developed throughout the course. This part of the module aims to provide the tools to enable you to structure and present technical reports and also reference correctly. You will make use of appropriate IT skills to communicate technical ideas through the written word and by graphical means.
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Apply your learning through project based learning, where you will have both individual work and group work where you will be in a multidisciplinary range of students from the mechanical engineering group. This module is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of manufacturing processes and mechatronics, from the in class theoretical briefings to hands on practical activities. You will gain insight on the need of selecting the most appropriate manufacturing processes, designing and building of basic electronic circuits, integrating mechanical products with electronic circuits, to form a mechatronics product. You will be introduced to modern equipment such as CNC machines and electronic building and testing devices. You will learn how to conform to the regulations relating to safe workshop and laboratory practice applying your materials and structural knowledge to analyse the structural integrity of their design and prototypes.
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Here you will focus on two key aspects of engineering. To start with you will look at vectors and use this knowledge to understand the Newton's law in basic mechanical problems. You will relate this to the static analysis of a system and equilibrium leading to calculation of various stresses in a mechanical structure. The second part is designed to introduce the structure and properties of a range of engineering materials, with an insight in the atomic structure of metals and non-metals to understand factors that influence the physical properties of materials. It provides a review of mechanical behaviour of metals such as load extension curves and their interpretations. You will carry out hands-on tensile tests on engineering materials, allowing you to apply your knowledge from the classroom. You will also explore the alloying of metals through equilibrium diagrams, using this information to determine structure. You will develop your skills in gathering and interpreting scientific information through a series of laboratory experiments. This will help you to become familiar with definition and applications of mechanical structures and, with further studies in nature of stress distribution and transformation in mechanical parts and structures, you will be able to evaluate basic failure criteria and apply safety factors in engineering design.
Year 2 (level 5) modules
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Ruskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
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This project-based module follows the theme of improving the design of an existing mechanical appliance/product using the design concepts for enhanced performance metrics (eg, reduced cost, ease of manufacture, reduced lead time). Designed to give you the opportunity to work in groups in the multi-disciplined area of mechanical engineering you will work to achieve a common goal. You’ll use specialised engineering software packages eg, Autodesk Inventor and ANSYS to design parts for a product and apply appropriate constraints in assembly environment of a 3D CAD package, utilising design concepts (eg, design for manufacture/assembly) for enhanced product performance. You’ll be introduced to the concepts of structural design, materials, mechanical integrity and their importance while designing a product. This module will help you to understand and apply theoretical concepts related to statistics, process quality assurance and the implications of legal as well as ethical issues. You’ll also focus on the application of finite element analysis (FEA) and its use in the numerical analysis of integrity in mechanical products to assess applicability in engineering related uses. You will learn to plan the manufacturing method of your chosen product (using suitable modern manufacturing and prototyping methods e.g., CNC machining, 3D printing), use mechanical testing methods (e.g., tensile test, bend test) and validate your work through numerical analysis.
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Gain the foundations in the theoretical and applied aspects of combined thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, allowing you to be able to identify and analyse engineering problems related to systematic and local thermal and fluid mechanics engineering. Here you will develop your learning, using applied and real-world problems and applying a combined system-analysis approach of thermodynamics as well as a detailed analysis of heat transfer and fluid mechanics on various problems. The systematics approach to the real-world problems will cover thermofluids topics such as the concept of work and heat, first and second law of thermodynamics, thermodynamics cycles, properties of gas and vapour, and an introduction to combustion. Fluid mechanics will cover fluid static, conservation of mass and momentum leading to Bernoulli’s equation, fluid flow classification and regimes, dimensional analysis, and fluid forces. The heat transfer will include overview of complex heat transfer problems and discussing possibility of simplifications to one-dimension conduction, convection, and radiation.
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Building on previous modules here you will continue applying mathematics to express and solve engineering problems, moving on to include more complex mathematical concepts. You’ll be introduced to calculus, complex numbers, and Laplace transforms, helping you to develop an appreciation of the overwhelming influence that these concepts have had on engineering analysis and design, particularly with their application to specialist software. You’ll learn to apply differentiation and integration technics to solve engineering problems in dynamics, control, structural analysis, engineering optimisations, and computational engineering. You’ll also learn to analyse engineering concepts through solving complex equations and differential equations using analytical and numerical techniques. Coding is also used to develop your problem-solving skills and create solutions to complex mathematical problems, you’ll apply this to engineering problems to create a logical sequence of steps or solutions after which you’ll develop tests to check the solution is correct.
Year 3 (level 6) modules
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This project based module will help you to prepare for real scale industrial projects involving practical activities with wide versatility. In groups of 3-4 people, you will be expected to perform a team work study looking at feasibility, create/source the required CAD files, and perform FE and CFD analysis to design a scaled-down product that works under specified and realistic specifications. The product will need to be optimised by consistent iterations within FEA and CFD and the finalised proposal will be prototyped. Once the product is manufactured you’ll need to perform experiments and use the test data compare to the ones from the numerical analysis, giving a report to demonstrate your achievements.
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Mechanical engineering systems, structural or machinery, often experience problems associated with vibration which may lead to failure of design and product. Part of this module will provide you with a fundamental understanding of problem of vibration and analytical tools necessary to model the problem in an engineering system. This will include classifications of vibration and analytical analysis of free and forced vibration in single degree of freedom systems. You will discuss the methods of vibration control as well as vibration measurements with emphasise on applied engineering. The second part of the module will provide you with fundamentals and classifications of control systems, including feedforward vs feedback and open vs closed loop controls as well as use of Laplace transform methods to analyse linear control systems.
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Develop a deeper understanding, and learn the application of, numerical methods in engineering, as well as its extent in industry, its limitations and its scope of solving problems. The main aim in this module is to provide you with an overview of computational problem-solving manners in today’s industry and the expectations in real-world designs. To begin with, you will learn the C++ programming language that can be used in various engineering disciplines which you will explore by learning the discipline related applications in areas such as robotics, structural engineering, fluid mechanics, manufacturing, and automotive engineering. With an initial theoretical induction on Finite Element and Finite Difference methods, you will be predominantly 'hands on' and will apply FEA and CFD on realistically designed academic projects. At the theoretical level, you’ll learn to implement hand calculations for basic FEA and CFD questions, showing you the detailed process of the problem solutions using numerical methods. The skills learnt hear will enable you to do the necessary research, obtain test data, build FEA and CFD models and validate your results from case studies.
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Here you’ll explore the different aspects of a mechatronics system, covering sensing, programming, data acquisition, signal conditioning, control and actuation (electrical/mechanical/hydraulic/pneumatic) through a mixture of lectures and lab sessions. This will give you the change to apply your knowledge to real systems, giving you hands-on experience. In sensing, you’ll cover the basic types of sensors, their working mechanisms and applications. Programming deals with the different modes currently available eg, manual and automatic programming, allowing you to explore Arduino Uno. You’ll be introduced to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to help you understand their applicability in industrial applications. In data acquisition you’ll look at analogue-to digital and digital-to-analogue conversion, digital data representation and circuit analysis of useful conversion stages. You’ll also be introduced to the fundamentals of control theory: block diagrams and feedback, proportional control, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, detailed analysis of DC motors, and finally speed and position control. Mechanical actuation systems will also be introduced, giving you a complete understanding of how different components of a mechatronic system work together, including concepts related to gear trains, hydraulic pumps, valves, pneumatic systems, kinematic chains, etc.
Year 4 (level 7) modules
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This module will give you an in-depth understanding of the theories and methods in research design, and allow you to undertake an independent research project. The first part of module will lead you to develop a research proposal as well as a successful research ethics application. The second part of the module includes the supervisory support for you to carry out an independent research related to your individual discipline, leading to a practical, conceptual, or technological advancement in a complex, multi-factor problem.
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You will develop a systematic understanding of various systems in a vehicle and to critically analyse the interconnection between these systems. You’ll explore powertrain system, including conventional internal combustion (IC) engines, hybrid systems and electric cars, discussing the various types of IC engines such as combustion, fuel delivery and injection systems, cooling system, turbo and supercharging as well as intake and exhaust systems. You will also analyse the theories, trends, and obstacles of each of these systems. You’ll explore electrical and electronic systems in automotive technology including use of batteries, charging, starting motor, various sensors as well as passenger comfort and safety features. You’ll also study manual and automatic transmission systems integrated in the vehicle power transmission system, the steering wheel, brakes, wiper system, and suspension mechanisms and their links to other systems are studied. You will explore how technology is affected by current regulations, legal, commercial, environmental, and ethical issues in automotive engineering and its trend to the future of driverless cars. This module will help you develop a systematic approach to the automotive design and preparing your for graduate roles in automotive engineering.
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Learn the theoretical and practical underpinning of aerodynamics and its effect on the automotive drag force. You will study fundamental equations of fluid mechanics applied in aerodynamics, giving you a general overview of parameters involved in a bluff body aerodynamics. You will cover fundamental theoretical topics such as boundary layer, flow separation, turbulence, and pressure distribution and behaviour in external flows influencing drag and lift forces. Both drag sources due to shear stresses and the pressure forces are analysed and their significance discussed. You’ll also explore that aerodynamics of vehicle components such as tyres, screen, radiator, and brakes, and drag reduction techniques such as increasing pressure in the back of the vehicle. You’ll study the effect of aerodynamic forces on vehicle stability, and use wind tunnel and computer simulation (CFD) for aerodynamic analysis.
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Here you’ll discuss the structural design of small to mid-size four-wheeled vehicles focussing on the chassis, its functionality and design requirements. You’ll use implicit and Explicit Finite Element methods to practice the analysis of design requirements such as natural frequency and crashworthiness and hence occupant safety in accidents. You’ll also look at test regulations, looking at a number of crashworthiness evaluation methods.
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You’ll build on your prior knowledge of engineering design, applying and extending your range of design for manufacture and assembly tools. Here you’ll use these tools to design innovatively and to improve the design of an existing product so that it can be manufactured and assembled at a minimum cost; whilst maintaining the level of quality and reliability demanded by its customer. You’ll use computer aided engineering software tools extensively throughout the module as well as modern manufacturing methods such as 3D printing.
Assessment
Where you'll study
Your faculty
The Faculty of Science & Engineering is one of the largest of the four faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full-time or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.
Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.
Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science, technology and engineering fields. This is key to all of our futures.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£9,250
International students starting 2021/22 (per year)
£14,500
UK students starting 2022/23 (full-time, per year)
£9,250
International students starting 2022/23 (full-time, per year)
£15,000
How do I pay my fees?
Tuition fee loan
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan, which you won’t need to start repaying until after your graduate. Or there's the option to pay your fees upfront.
International students
You can pay your tuition fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesScholarships
We offer a fantastic range of ARU scholarships, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university. Some of these cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Funding for UK students
Most new UK undergraduate students can apply for government funding to support their studies and university life. This also applies to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who have citizens' rights following Brexit.
Government funding includes Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans. There are additional grants available for specific groups of students, such as those with disabilities or dependants.
We also offer a range of ARU scholarships, which can provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
Funding for international students
We offer a number of scholarships, as well as an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Teaching options
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face campus teaching (where offered as part of a course) is supported by online learning using our established online learning systems. The number of contact hours varies course by course, and you can contact us for further information. The provision offered is subject to change due to the possibility of further Government restrictions, however we remain committed to delivering face-to-face teaching and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place due to the pandemic, we may need to move some courses online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
Important additional notes
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2021, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2021-22.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@aru.ac.uk for further information.
All tariff points must come from A levels. Points from AS levels cannot be counted towards the total tariff points required for entry to this course.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
Whether you're studying entirely online or through a blend of face-to-face and online learning from September 2020, you'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course. A small number of our courses require additional technical specifications or specialist materials. Before starting the course, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning. Our website also has general information for new students about starting university in 2020-21.
Teaching options
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face campus teaching (where offered as part of a course) is supported by online learning using our established online learning systems. The number of contact hours varies course by course, and you can contact us for further information. The provision offered is subject to change due to the possibility of further Government restrictions, however we remain committed to delivering face-to-face teaching and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place due to the pandemic, we may need to move some courses online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for undergraduate courses.
Check the standard entry requirements for IELTS requirements for this course.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry onto a degree course.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
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