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10th in the UK for production and manufacturing engineering (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025)
Our graduates are highly employable, now working for multinational companies such as Nissan
Outstanding facilities in our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building
This automotive technology degree combines theoretical and practical learning, giving you a comprehensive understanding of key engineering principles while providing ample hands-on experience through practical projects where you can apply the knowledge gained in lectures. A significant amount of your time will be spent in workshops and using our well-equipped labs to aid with practical lessons included in the course curriculum.
On the automotive technology course, you will gain a broad-ranging skillset to support the development of automotive products: Herts has recently joined the Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) initiative, a global network of academic professionals, industry representatives, and engineering leaders passionate about engineering education and leadership. This CDIO framework, now embedded in the programme, significantly enhances your learning experience by allowing you to apply everything you learn through a ‘Design and Build’ approach, providing an authentic, hands-on experience during your studies.
Design, Build, and Race a Formula Car: This automotive technology degree you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a Formula Student Competition which you are welcome to join from your very first year of study. This is an exciting extracurricular opportunity to work with other engineering students in designing, building and racing a Formula Student race car. A great addition that will shine on your CV and enhance your employment prospects.
Herts graduates are highly employable: Many of our students have gone on to work across the automotive sector, with recent alumni securing positions at prestigious companies like Nissan, Dyson, and Bentley Motors.
Expand your knowledge and get the most out of your university experience: Participate in the various co-curricular activities that are available to you while you study on this BSc (Hons) Automotive Technology course. The School of Physics Engineering & Computer Science has recently launched countless outstanding opportunities which can heighten your depth of understanding, should you choose to get involved. Activities available include Shell-Eco Marathon, Engineers without Borders Design Competition, IMechE Design Challenge, UP Research, Machining Club, and the Sim Racing Society.
The BSc (Hons) Automotive Technology course is accredited by IMechE and satisfies, in full, the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration.
Graduating with a BSc (Hons) Automotive Technology degree opens many doors for employment.
Typical areas of work for automotive technology graduates include:
Not sure exactly what role you want to go into yet? No worries, our teaching staff cover a wide scope of different expertise including manufacturing technology, product design and development, motorsport design, process design and optimisation, lean manufacturing, advanced engines and powertrain systems, technologies for future mobility, aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, project management, electrical machines and drives, automotive electrical systems, autonomous and connected vehicles, renewable energy systems (wind and solar energies). This automotive technology course is a perfect opportunity for you to gain industry knowledge and insights from the perspectives of well-educated professionals, helping to guide your decisions on which job role is the best fit for you.
Aerodynamic Design Engineer at Williams Formula 1 team
Katie knew that she wanted to pursue a career in Motor Sport and saw the course at Herts as the perfect pathway to follow her dream.
She is currently an Aerodynamic Design Engineer with the Williams Formula 1 team and explains a bit more about her role and what it entails, ‘I was lucky enough to join Williams F1 as a Junior Aerodynamic Design engineer after completing my MEng in Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at Herts.
My role involves designing mechanical and aerodynamic components for the wind tunnel. I lead the research and development for the wind tunnel front wing design and work closely with the aerodynamicists to improve design concepts and make wind tunnel tests as streamlined as possible.’
Katie really enjoys the challenge of the role and the industry which is fast-paced on all fronts.
‘Working in Formula 1 is very enjoyable and very rewarding when you see results on the track. Seeing Williams back on the podium and scoring points again in 2021 were particular highlights.
I also enjoy the fast-paced environment and continual research and development required to keep up with technology and rules changes.’.
Katie chose to study at Herts because she was impressed with the large range of studies provided by the Engineering department and the range of facilities which provided crucial hands-on experience to work in industry. She adds, ‘I was particularly impressed with the extra-curricular groups and studies provided by Herts such as the Formula Student team.’
When she talks about the best part of her course she says, ‘It was being able to apply what I had learnt during my A-Levels to further my knowledge of engineering and the knowledge and enthusiasm my lecturers had to further my studies.'
Knowing that hands on practical experience is so important in the industry Katie became a member of the successful Formula Student team at Herts. She is certain that it helped when it came to her career and says, 'Participating in Formula Student particularly aided my ability to gain my current role in industry.
It was able to provide me with this expertise and allow me to broaden my field of study outside of the classroom or lecture hall.’
Unsurprisingly Katie’s best memories revolve around her experience with the Formula Student Team and the success on and off the track.
‘My favourite memories at Herts were the times spent designing and manufacturing UH19 and UH20 with great friends. My favourite of them being completing at FSUK, FS Czech and FS Germany with the most successful UH FS car of all time as well as winning design at both the UK and Czech competitions.’
Katie has set her sights high when it comes to the future and what it could bring. ‘My future plans are to advance my career further in motorsport, and to hopefully win a Drivers and Constructors Championship in F1.’
Find out more about the Formula Student Team
If you have a great story like Katie's, please contact us!
SENDplan Business owner and Test and Development Engineer at Ballard Motive Solutions
Kim's winning business, SENDplan, is a special education needs and disability support service, that helps parents with their children’s development outside of school by finding answers to their questions and offering structured support with information and resources.
The University’s Flare awards give budding students and alumni entrepreneurial support and training to bring their business ideas to life. Kim won the 2021 Flare award for social impact, which is designed to support a business that is ethical and socially impactful, with the aim of improving the world we live in.
Kim’s business inspiration grew from volunteering. She says, ‘Over the years I have worked with my mother whose long-term career has covered a variety of SEND educational opportunities and I got involved as a volunteer with playschemes and other activities. I felt inspired by the families I worked with and wanted to find a way that I could help. The pandemic taught me to make the most of every moment, and as the restrictions started to ease, I decided to go for the opportunity in setting up the idea for my business.’
Kim really enjoyed taking part in the Flare competition and said, ‘Completing my business model allowed me to really push myself and see the validity of my idea and how it could all come to fruition. The business advisors on hand were excellent and encouraging. The support sessions provided information that enabled me to upskill my business knowledge and offered insight into each competition stage. The opportunity to practice my pitch in advance really helped with my confidence in going into the pitching stage of the competition too.’
Kim’s day job is an engineer with Ballard Motive Solutions. ‘I am a Test and Development Engineer, where my key duties so far have been to create test procedures and plan vehicle level testing. I am building on my knowledge of Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology as well as learning more about high voltage systems and new areas. Already I have supported testing a Hydrogen Fuel Cell RCV on track at HORIBA-MIRA, UK which was a fantastic way to get familiar with Hydrogen vehicles at the start of my career at Ballard Motive Solutions.
‘I have always been fascinated by the evolution of technology and the potential of alternative fuels. My first interaction with sustainable technology was when I attended the Formula E testing event for fans in August, 2016 at Donington Park Circuit. This was inspiring, and encouraged me to learn about vehicle networks, software and controls systems. Throughout my career I have enjoyed testing a variety of vehicle platforms, and when I saw the opportunity to utilize my existing knowledge and develop it for sustainable applications - I had to apply. Working at Ballard Motive Solutions there are opportunities to work with the latest technology, contribute to the greater community and focus on professional development’
Kim had a great student experience at Herts, she says, ‘What I learnt as a student has provided the foundations for my career and I will always be grateful for the University’s support throughout my studies. It’s because of this support that I felt confident and comfortable enough to enter the Flare competition as a graduate and challenge myself to make SENDplan a reality.’
‘My favourite memory from my time at Herts is from my final year of study during the Shell Eco-marathon projects where I was able to push myself as an engineer. This is where I started to believe in my ability and see results from my work, and my friends taught me to embrace the notion that anyone can achieve anything they want to if they work hard and believe.’
‘I enjoyed many aspects of my studies, I developed skills in mechanical engineering all throughout and have fond memories of studying engineering mathematics with Kuldeep Singh as my Lecturer. Studying Automotive Engineering at Herts provided me with the freedom to research into areas that I was interested in, whilst also developing the skill set to adapt to a variety of upcoming and existing technologies. Since I have graduated I have continued this approach by acting on ideas and seeking out opportunities to learn.’
Kim entered Herts through an extended engineering degree with a foundation year. She says, ‘The foundation year provided me with the fundamentals and in-depth engineering knowledge, as well as new friendship groups. It was during that year that I met one of the best mechanics/physics teachers in my entire life and found inspiration through his teaching. The class collectively upskilled quickly in a short space of time where we became close friends and were competitive with our results aiming for 100%. The course overall has led me to exactly where I dreamed of being and I would highly recommend the extended route. This programme is an ideal alternative route to higher education as it prepares you for progression to an engineering-related honours degree’.
Kim’s aspiration for the future is to not only set up her business SENDplan as a fully functional support service to families, but to continue to apply herself as an engineer and pursue her career in the automotive industry.
Kim’s advice for other women wanting to pursue a career in engineering, ‘I would highly recommend joining the Women's Engineering Society (WES). WES is a fantastic charity that supports women engineers throughout their career and provides the opportunity to form friendships and contacts, through their events and networking. I would recommend applying for all the opportunities that you see that spark your interest, and to gain as much experience as possible during your studies.’
On this automotive technology course, you’ll gain the specialist skills, knowledge and experience needed to become a successful automotive engineer in a fast-growing industry.
We encourage you to make the most of the exciting facilities available to you, that can really heighten your skills and experience in automotive technology by putting learned theory into practice. Utilise the numerous computer labs where you will have full range to constantly advance your design and simulations skills and also enjoy the facilities dedicated to manufacturing where you’ll be able to conduct an assortment of experiments.
In your first year, you will learn fundamental engineering principles while working on design and build projects. An exciting part of your first year is that you will be able to design, prototype and test simple engineering products.
In your second year, you will focus on automotive design and simulation techniques while expanding your knowledge about engineering systems and principles. As part of the curriculum, you will also develop an appreciation of production and distribution systems.
In your final year, you will get to explore the latest technologies used in the automotive sector, in particular with regard to autonomous vehicles. The curriculum also offers students the opportunity to develop expertise, in the field of engineering project management, for the design and development of complex engineering products.
We understand that the transition from college to university and settling in at each level of study comes with its challenging which is why we offer a personal tutoring system to all automotive technology students on this course. This involves you being allocated to a member of staff that will support you with academic progress and goals, personal and professional development, well-being and develop a sense of belonging.
We have various specialised central support units that are available to support all Herts students. We have dedicated teams that help with careers and employment, finance, counselling, disability services, Hertfordshire Students’ Union, study success/academic skills.
Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your CV with a work placement sandwich year that will make you stand out from the crowd. It is a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.
Our dedicated Careers and Employment Team are here to help guide you through the process.
Previous automotive technology students have undertaken placements in organisations such as:
You can carry out work experience between your second and third year. You will pay no tuition fee for this year at the University of Hertfordshire; payments will recur only once you continue your third year of study. As work experience is optional, we ask that you make your decision in the second year so there is plenty of time to think about whether this is something you want to do.
An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
Find out more about Study abroad opportunities
Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree. This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your CV with a work placement sandwich year that will make you stand out from the crowd. It is a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.
Our dedicated Careers and Employment Team are here to help guide you through the process.
Previous automotive technology students have undertaken placements in organisations such as:
You can carry out work experience between your second and third year. You will pay no tuition fee for this year at the University of Hertfordshire; payments will recur only once you continue your third year of study. As work experience is optional, we ask that you make your decision in the second year so there is plenty of time to think about whether this is something you want to do.
An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.
This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.
Find out more about Study abroad opportunities
Your main campus is College Lane. This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
Our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building is now open. You will have the opportunity to learn in our new state-of-the-art building called Spectra, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones. You will have access to modelling, simulation and research labs, our Merlin Flight Simulator and automotive workshop (complete with electric vehicle facility), wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite.
You will also benefit from our Academic Support Hub, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.
Spectra also provides space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.
Our teaching staff bring a wealth of knowledge in various areas, including manufacturing technology, product design, motorsport design, process optimization, lean manufacturing, advanced engines, powertrain systems, future mobility technologies, aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, project management, electrical machines, automotive electrical systems, autonomous vehicles, and renewable energy systems.
We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | (enter tariff range) |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | (enter range) |
| Typical IB offer | (enter range) |
| Typical BTEC offer | (enter range) |
| Typical T Level offer | (enter range) |
| GCSE | EG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics |
| Access courses | EG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| English language | All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level. |
|---|---|
| Additional information | Find out more about International Entry Requirements. |
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | 104–112 |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | BCC–BBC |
| Typical IB offer | 104–112 UCAS points from a minimum of two HL subjects at grade 4 or above. |
| Typical BTEC offer | DMM |
| Typical T Level offer | Accepted T Levels: Design Production, Design and Development. |
| GCSE | Grade 4/C in English language and 4/C mathematics. |
| Access courses | Engineering or Technology diploma, with merit profile. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| English language | All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level. |
|---|---|
| Additional information | Find out more about International Entry Requirements. |
| Start date | Study type | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Full time | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time with placement year | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time with study abroad year | Apply via UCAS | |
| September 2026 | Full time | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time with placement year | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time with study abroad year | Apply via UCAS |
At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.
| Study type | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| UK students | Full time | £9,250 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
| EU students | Full time | £15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
| International students | Full time | £15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
| Scholarships, grants and bursaries | Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies. |
|---|---|
| Disabled Students' Allowance | The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. |
| Student loans | Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments. |
| Accommodation costs | We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget. |
| Additional course fees | Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet. |
| Course fact sheets | |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Automotive Technology | Download PDF |
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Automotive Technology | Download PDF |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
|
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |
Course length |
Full Time, 3 YearsPart Time, 6 YearsSandwich, 4 Years |
