Back to menu

Browse your subject areas


BEng (Hons) Automotive Performance Engineering (Motorsport) with international foundation year

Award

BEng (Hons)

Start Date

20/09/2027

Duration

4 years

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Greater Manchester

UCAS Points

48

UCAS Code

L779

Industry-standard, purpose-built workshop, laboratory and manufacturing facilities, the opportunity to apply for placements and internships with our partner race teams, manufacturers and suppliers, and lecturers who share your passion combine to make our BEng (Hons) Automotive Performance Engineering (Motorsport) with international foundation year course ideal if want a career at the cutting-edge of automotive and motorsport engineering.

Please note:
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by October 2026 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.

Course Overview

This course includes an integrated foundation year specifically designed for international students, allowing you to use a single visa throughout your undergraduate studies. The foundation year will help you become familiar with the teaching and assessment methods used in UK higher education while developing your English language skills to the level required for advanced undergraduate research and academic writing. Successfully completing the foundation year with the required grades will enable you to progress directly to the first year of your undergraduate degree, without the need to reapply.

A career in the motorsport industry allows you to work at the cutting edge of engineering technology. By studying for your BEng (Hons) in Automotive Performance Engineering (Motorsport) at the University of Greater Manchester, you will develop the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to design, develop and deliver advanced engineering solutions at the highest levels of the motorsport or automotive industries, while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focussed, multicultural campus.

On this course, you'll focus on the core themes of design, engineering, and analysis.

You'll develop fundamental skills in computer aided design (CAD) using industry-standard software tools and processes. We'll also give you the opportunity to turn this into an industry-recognised professional CAD certification. Industrially focused group design projects will let you use your design skills to develop innovative solutions to real-life challenges in motorsport.

You'll study core engineering subjects, including maths, engineering science, materials, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. You'll also study motorsport-specific subjects, which will develop your understanding of motorsport systems and applications, vehicle dynamics, and control.

Building on your core engineering knowledge, you learn how to apply computer aided engineering (CAE) tools to complex problems in motorsport and automotive engineering. You learn the theory and application of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using industry-standard software.

In collaboration with the University of Greater Manchester's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, you'll learn the fundamentals of manufacturing technology, starting with manual and CNC machining, fabrication and composite manufacturing. You'll have access to advanced manufacturing facilities, including polymer and metallic additive manufacturing.

You'll learn from our lecturers' motorsport and automotive industry experience as well as guest lectures, masterclasses from industry experts, and factory visits, ensuring you gain valuable insights into the operation of motorsport and automotive organisations, race teams and manufacturers. You'll also develop an understanding of engineering and operations management in the motorsport and automotive industries.

We embed employability skills in our course, and you'll have our support to apply for a range of placements and internships with our partner race teams, manufacturers and suppliers. We also aim to help you develop lifelong learning skills so that you can take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
Read full course overview
Read less course overview

Highlights

  • You’ll study the same content as UK students, developing your subject knowledge and academic skills. During the foundation year, you’ll also take a specialist English for Academic Purposes module designed to strengthen your academic language and study skills, supporting your progression and achievement.
  • We have industry-standard, purpose-built workshops and laboratories, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
  • We offer the opportunity to apply for placements and internships with our partner race teams, manufacturers and suppliers.
  • We are based in the purpose-built National Centre for Motorsport Engineering (NCME).
  • We help you develop lifelong learning skills so that you can take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
Read full course highlights
Read less course highlights

Key Features

  • The University of Greater Manchester has a distinguished history in engineering education.
  • We have a student-centred approach to teaching and learning, with personal academic tutor support and a favourable staff-to-student ratio.
  • You'll benefit from open access and skills development in industry-standard computer aided design, manufacturing and analysis software.
  • Course materials are available online in our virtual learning environment (VLE), allowing you to prepare work at home and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
  • By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Read full course key features
Read less course key features
Entry Requirements
Read full course entry requirements
Read less course entry requirements

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Career Opportunities

This course focuses on developing the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to design, develop and deliver advanced engineering solutions at the highest levels of the motorsport or automotive industries. In addition to technical knowledge, this programme offers you the opportunity to develop a range of key employability skills. These include using specialist knowledge creatively and innovatively to solve problems, producing and interpreting technical solutions, and explaining design ideas. You'll also learn to communicate effectively (via speech and writing) and possess good teamwork, project and time management, and strong decision-making skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

The UK competes on the world stage in motorsport and automotive engineering, and an exciting range of career opportunities are available. Careers in motorsport and automotive engineering are diverse, and employers range from race teams to manufacturers and suppliers. Fundamental engineering knowledge and related transferable skills are sought after by the global engineering industry, including aerospace, marine and rail companies.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:

  • Research and development
  • Design engineering
  • Test and development engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Operations management
  • Materials science
  • Project management
  • Quality management
  • Consultancy
  • Technical sales
Professional Recognition

The University of Greater Manchester's BEng (Hons) Automotive Performance Engineering (Motorsport) with international foundation year programme is going through the process of accreditation/reaccreditation with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Fees & Funding

Funding your studies: From January 2027, eligible students may be able to use the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to access tuition fee loan funding for this course. The LLE is designed to make student finance more flexible and support people to study, retrain or develop their skills at different stages of life. Find out more about the LLE and eligibility Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

How to apply

Home Applicants

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of places available for this course, we cannot accept direct applications from home students at this time. Please visit www.ucas.com to see details of the next available start date and learn how to apply for a place. We encourage you to apply as soon as applications open.

International Applicants

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

Continue

Teaching & Assessment

You'll be expected to attend formally timetabled classes, including lectures, tutorials, and tutor-led in-class exercises, and engage with case studies, laboratory activities, investigations and assignments, in groups and individually. All these activities are designed to help you acquire and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. Our personal tutor system underpins all our teaching and provides one-on-one support, peer support and individual care and attention.

Other teaching methods, such as open-ended projects, and design, make and test activities, provide opportunities to develop creativity and innovation skills. These are designed to meet the professional body accreditation requirements and help you apply, assimilate, and integrate your understanding of the course material.

Personal study time is required, and we'll assess your progress through a strategic blend of project or design reports, examinations, portfolios, presentations, blogs and other assignments. Some assessments contribute to your final module marks, while others are designed to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and where you need to seek extra support from course tutors.

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

Programme Contacts

Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.