Motorsport is an exacting world that requires total commitment from its engineers. Without their skills and expertise, teams don’t even get to race. This MSc will hone your skills and expertise in relation to motorsport and high performance engineering through a rigorous combination of teaching and motorsport related project work.

The Motorsport Engineering and Management MSc is suitable for graduates in engineering, aerospace, materials science and closely related disciplines who wish to gain knowledge of the engineering, management, science and technologies relevant to motorsport. The part-time option allows practitioners to extend their professional development within their current employment.

Former students have gone onto careers with companies such as Williams F1, McLaren Racing, Michelin – Motorsport Division, Lotus Renault GP, Red Bull Technology, Cosworth, Mercedes Grand Prix, Mercedes High Performance Engines, Force India, Carlin Motorsport, ART Grand Prix, Prodrive and EM Motorsport; Graduates also go onto highly rewarding careers in other sectors such as aerospace, automotive and energy.

What is Motorsport Engineering?

Motorsport Engineering focuses on all aspects of modern race vehicles, from high-performance engines, use of hybrid power and power delivery, to the high-performance end of the spectrum of aerodynamics and vehicle stability mechanisms and methodologies.

This industry requires total commitment from its engineers, and candidates will need skills, experience and qualification to make their mark. To make that first step on the ladder and get ahead, a UK degree is invaluable.

Why study Motorsport Engineering in the UK?

The UK’s motorsport legacy is recognised worldwide. Programmes are developed and delivered from motorsport industry professionals, and you will engage with these professionals throughout your study, as well as being taught in state-of-the-art laboratories.

Entry Requirements

Motorsport Engineering is a full-time 3-year course at graduation level and full-time 1-year course at postgraduate level.

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 35 points to include Maths at a higher level
• Typical A-levels requirements: AAB-BBB including mathematics and physics, chemistry, design technology, electronics, computing or other suitable science subjects
• Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.5 in any one component.

Motorsport Engineering and Management course description

This program will hone students’ skills and expertise in relation to motorsport, providing them with an understanding of key technologies. In addition, the MSc course will provide with management development tailored towards the discipline, a requirement demanded by many motorsport businesses.

Cranfield has a range of facilities relating to motorsport including wind tunnels, the Cranfield Impact Centre (CIC), the Off-Road Dynamics Facility, and composites and advanced materials laboratories.

Students compete for a number of prizes put forward by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Visiting Professor Adrian Reynard, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) and the Motor Sports Association (MSA).

The MSc course consists of eight one-week assessed modules, a group design project and an individual thesis project. Students undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma complete eight modules and a group design project. Postgraduate Certificate students complete six modules.

The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society for fulfilling further learning requirements for CEng. Cranfield University also holds the approval ‘Motorsport Academy UK Recognized Educator (Post-Graduate)’ through the Motorsport Academy’s Employer Recognition Scheme for educators and trainers.

Group design project

The objective of the group design project is to provide the students with experience of working as part of a team, organizing the various elements of the project within a group, managing resources and developing their reporting and presentation skills. Experience gained is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. For part-time students a dissertation usually replaces the group design project.

Individual thesis project

The individual thesis project is designed to be relevant to motorsport. This gives students the opportunity to develop solutions to real problems. Projects are either undertaken within a company or working at Cranfield, using the University’s equipment and facilities. Companies such as Prodrive, Williams F1, Lola, McLaren Racing, Audisport North America and Red Bull Technology have backed projects.

Related short course

The Introduction to Motorsport Engineering short course is available to prospective students registering for the MSc in Motorsport Engineering and Management course. It is also offered to individuals interested in developing their understanding of motorsport engineering.

Modules:

Motorsport Structural AnalysisComposite Structures for MotorsportMotorsport AerodynamicsMotorsport Electronics and Data AcquisitionComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for MotorsportThe Business of MotorsportMotorsport Vehicle DynamicsMotorsport Power Train Design

Source: Cranfield University

Romain’s opinion:

I have a lot of members of my network who have done this MSc. They have said that it is not only a very good MSc for learning motorsport and associated business but also a great opportunity to make one’s network grows, as students can get in contact with most of the motorsport teams. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to work in motorsport area to apply for this MSc. Any additional feedback from alumni?

At a glance

• DurationFive days
• LocationCranfield campus
• Cost£1,195 Concessions available

Course structure

Lectures and practical sessions covering the design, development, manufacture and maintenance of competition vehicles.

What you will learn

This course will provide you with an understanding of engineering in relation to competition vehicles. Valuable to those with non-engineering backgrounds who are studying subjects such as electronics, physics and applied mathematics. If you are studying mechanical engineering, the course should help you place your understanding in the context of motorsport.

Core content

• An overview of competition vehicle types
• Competition vehicle performance and dynamics
• Competition vehicle electrical systems
• Materials and structures as applied to motorsport
• Power train architecture
• Competition vehicle design
• Manufacturing techniques extant in motorsport

Who should attend

Students: valuable if you have a non-engineering background and are studying subjects such as electronics, physics and applied mathematics. If you are studying mechanical engineering, it should help you place this understanding in the context of motorsport.

I attended Cranfield’s Introduction to Motorsport Engineering short course in July 2019. The course delivered what the course title states. It is a really useful introductory course. As a delegate I received a comprehensive set of notes covering key aspects. There were practical sessions using Cranfield’s facilities. The course team made us all really welcome and it was a good experience working with like-minded delegates. Thoroughly recommended, especially for those intending to study one of Cranfield’s two motorsport MSc courses.

Ben Wiles, course delegate, July 2019,

Speakers

• Mr Clive Temple – Motorsport and Automotive Programme Director
• Professor James Brighton – Head of AVEC (Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre)
• Dr Veronica Marchante Rodriguez
• Dr Kim Blackburn – Lecturer
• Dr Tim Rose
• Dr Terence Richards – Research Fellow

Concessions

15% discount for incoming Cranfield Motorsport MSc students already holding MSc places, secured by paid deposits.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on campus accommodation can be found here. Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire.

The School is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world.

Location address

Cranfield University
Wharley End
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0HG

motorsport engineering university ranking

A career in motorsport engineering is a glamorous one, but the journey to get there is a tough one. The global popularity of motorsport make these types of position in demand, and having a passion for the sport will stand you in good stead ahead of your education in the subject.

Careers in Motorsport Engineering

Successful students go on to be a part of a network of engineers working across motorsport and the high-performance car sector. UK universities have had students go on to work for Mercedes F1, Morgan, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, JLR, Westbourne Motors and HCI Systems.

Best Universities to Study Motorsport Engineering in the UK

• Coventry University
• Cranfield University
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Derby
• University of Huddersfield
• Oxford Brookes University
• Staffordshire University
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• University of Bolton
• University of Wolverhampton

Study Motorsport Engineering in the UK

Motosport Engineering degree ensures you earn while doing what you love. If you are interested in studying Motorsport Engineering in the UK, arrange your free consultation today. Don’t forget the Premium Service will guarantee you at least one offer from a UK university!