Mechanical Engineering/Automotive

Mechanical Engineering with an Automotive specialism is a degree that trains you in the fundamental science and engineering of machines and energy systems while focusing that knowledge on the design, manufacture, and testing of vehicles. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, encompassing thermodynamics, dynamics, materials science, fluid mechanics, and design, and provides the foundational skills that the automotive sector depends on. The automotive dimension of this programme adds specialism in vehicle dynamics, powertrain systems, chassis engineering, and the electronics increasingly central to modern cars, from safety systems to hybrid and electric drivetrains.

At the University of Southampton, this four-year, full-time programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities. You will develop a thorough grounding in the core subjects of mechanical engineering before specialising in automotive-specific areas, giving you the opportunity to engage with the design and engineering of vehicles from race cars through to passenger cars and the advanced electronics that run them. Southampton's engineering faculty is research-intensive, and the teaching reflects current developments in an industry undergoing rapid transformation as electrification, connectivity, and autonomous technology reshape what vehicles are and how they are built.

Graduates of Mechanical Engineering with Automotive specialisation work as design engineers, development engineers, test engineers, project managers, and systems engineers in automotive manufacturing, motorsport, automotive supply chains, and the growing electric vehicle sector. The skills are also applicable in aerospace, defence, energy, and manufacturing more broadly. Many graduates pursue chartered status through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and some continue to postgraduate study in automotive engineering, vehicle dynamics, or a related specialism.

The transition to electric and autonomous vehicles is creating sustained demand for engineers with exactly the skills this degree develops.