Automotive engineer

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in automotive engineering.

Employers will often accept related subjects, such as:

• manufacturing engineering
• mechanical engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• design engineering
• software engineering
• sustainable automotive engineering

Many universities offer courses that combine a degree with a postgraduate master's engineering (MEng) qualification.

Choosing a course that includes an internship or industry placement can give you an advantage when looking for jobs. It can also help if you want to join a company's graduate training scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply for a place on a degree apprenticeship scheme, with a vehicle manufacturer, for example:

• Manufacturing Engineer Level 6
• Product Design and Development Engineer Level 6

These take around 4 to 5 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with university study.

If you already have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subject, you may be able to do a Postgraduate Engineer Level 7 Apprenticeship with an automotive employer.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

• a degree in a relevant subject

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Career Tips

Keeping up to date with developments in vehicle technology and manufacture could help you with applications and interviews. Trends include:

• the shift to electric vehicles, and research into alternative fuels
• digital design and manufacturing of parts by 3D printing
• research into semi-autonomous and self-driving vehicles
• connectivity within and between vehicles, and traffic management systems

Further Information

You can find out more about careers in the automotive industry through:

• Society of Motor Industry Manufacturers
• Your Future in Automotive
• Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

You might work in design, development or production on:

• body, chassis and engine systems
• electrical and electronic instrumentation and controls
• thermodynamics, aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• zero emission fuel technologies

You could:

• develop new exterior and interior design concepts
• test ideas using simulations, virtual reality (VR) and physical models
• research the environmental impact of different designs
• modify machine tools and processes to improve production
• assess components' strengths, weaknesses, performance and safety
• monitor quality, costs and production schedules

You could work in an office, at a research facility or at a manufacturing plant.