Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Meeting the needs of the industry and you
Engineering is such a broad discipline, and you may not fully know which area of engineering is the right choice to study when beginning your studies.
Employers are increasingly seeking engineers with a broader knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering to meet their environmental, consumer and business needs. As a University based in an advanced engineering city, it’s vital that we offer degrees with a strong focus on sustainability, electrification and automation.
With this in mind, we have developed our degrees to match the multi-disciplinary requirements that employers are shouting for. All engineering students will take the same core modules in the first year to gain an essential foundation in all aspects of engineering, giving you the chance to settle into your studies, and allowing you time to decide which area suits you best. At the end of your first year, you’ll have the opportunity to switch to either our BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering or BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree should you realise your passion falls within this area, or you can continue on BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering.
Practical and technical skills
Our teaching facilities benefit from a vast range of vehicles and systems for you to study. Our computer labs host technical software widely used in the motorsport industry for design, modelling and simulation. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of topics such as advanced power train engineering, motorsport chassis design and computational fluid dynamics.
Facilities include:
- Motorsport Workshop: The workshop is equipped with several different race vehicles, engines and gearboxes where you'll gain hands-on experience. The facility is set up to deliver learning across advanced power train engineering, motorsport chassis design and computational fluid dynamics
- Computer Labs: Computers in these labs host industry-standard software where you'll work on the simulation aspect of vehicle dynamics, computational fluid dynamics and power train
- Mechanical workshop: Equipped with both traditional lathes and milling machines alongside more modern CNC equipment, you'll use this area to gain hands-on experience machining car parts
- Wind Tunnel and Thermodynamics: This practical space contains a wind tunnel and test engine. You'll test the aerodynamics of objects, studying the flow of air or gases around an object in motion
- Makerspace: This creative space can be used to work on any project and turn your ideas into a prototype. All students have access to this space, and it's a fantastic way of sharing knowledge and skills with one another. Equipment available includes 3D printers, CNC machines and a laser cutter
Real-world experience
We give you the opportunity to take part in a range of events where you can gain hands-on experience.
In your second year, lectures, tutorials and assessments are designed around our Radical SR1 race car, giving you the chance to enhance your race car engineering knowledge through practical and simulation work. There's also the opportunity to get involved in track testing and, on some occasions, participate in races.
Formula Student - the world’s biggest student motorsport competition – could also become a highlight of your studies. Team Derby Motorsport entered this competition for the first time in 2015 and won the Formula Student Rookie Team Award. This success resulted in a £3,000 grant for the team from the IMechE. The team will be taking part in the concept class in 2022.
Watch the video below of Team Derby Motorsport at the first round of the 2022 Radical SR1 Cup Championship at Donington Park.
Industry insight
Together, the teaching team have a range of experience working in the motorsport industry as well as researching current areas of growth. Our research teams work closely with local motorsport engineering companies and our Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering to support and encourage innovation.
- Dr Jianfei Xie: Jianfei teaches and has expertise in computational fluid dynamics. His interests include aerodynamics and the structures of aeroplanes in the aeronautical engineering area
- Professor Zhiyin Yang: Zhiyin is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University. He conducts world-leading research and has published over 100 scientific papers. His teaching covers Thermofluids and advanced computational fluid dynamics
- Dr Shahed Motaman: Shahed’s teaching covers CFD modelling, manufacturing and design and SolidWorks. His research covers a variety of areas including heat transfer simulations and multiphase flow
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Real world learning
There are opportunities for you to go on an optional work placement as part of the BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering.
The course also includes field trips to local race circuits for testing and visits to a number of exhibitions where you can strengthen your professional networks. You will also attend guest lectures as part of the annual IMechE series.
How you are assessed
Assessment is through a mixture of coursework assignments, examinations and formal presentations.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2023 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MPP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Our focus is on ensuring you are work-ready and this course will give you the all the confidence and skills you need to progress directly into the international motorsport arena.
Graduates have secured employment with companies like Cosworth, Zytec, JLR, Pirelli and EPM Composites. They have also raced all over the world and worked with international race teams in F1, GP2, FIA-GT and with a variety of national teams.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Free student membership of relevant professional accreditation body
- Some essential educational software packages will be provided free
- Use of resources such as computer rooms, workshops and laboratories
- Use of PPE kits in workshops as and when required, such as safety boots, safety googles and ear plugs
- One industrial visit during induction week/first year
- Talks from expert industry speakers
- Small allowance for final year project
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Additional Educational Software approx. £100
- Computer Accessories approx. £50
- Workshop material approx. £100
- Additional Industry visits approx. £50
- Additional expenses for final year project approx. £50
- Printing approx. £120
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Personal computer or tablet computer approx. £500
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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