Motorsport Engineering with Foundation Year
BEng (Hons)

Prepare to make your mark in the highly competitive global motorsport industry. Offering vital technical and digital skills alongside practical experience, our BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering puts you on the road to success.

• Set yourself apart as an innovative and resourceful motorsport engineer - ready to work with top teams or high-profile manufacturers
• The degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). On completion, you will have met the full requirements to register as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and part of the requirements to register as a Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Hone your skills in our state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated workshop space and our computer labs
• Study a wide range of vehicles and systems
• Take part in challenging extra-curricular activity such as Formula Student and Radical SR1 cup championship
• Gain inspiring industry insights at exhibitions and race meetings

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.

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 turn 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

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.

September 2021 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - MPP
• Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2

2022 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2022 entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

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. 

Contact us

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.

Additional information about your studies

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 below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.

Included in your fees

• Use of fully equipped motorsport workshops
• PPE kits (safety boot, safety googles and ear plugs), one T-shirt
• Fieldtrips and visits, depending on trip requirements costs can vary
• Industry speakers
• Small allowance for final year project

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Equipment approx. £30
• T-shirt approx. £30
• Workshop Materials approx. £120
• Industry Visits approx. £70 
• Additional expenses for final year project approx. £50
• Printing approx. £120

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Not required but useful: a personal computer or tablet computer approx. £400

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.

You might also like

• Motorsport Engineering MEng
• Motorsport Engineering BEng (Hons)