Motorsport Engineering (MSc) - 2012 entry

Course content

The course is structured around three time periods: Semester 1 runs from September to December, Semester 2 from January to May, and the summer period completes the year until the beginning of September.

To qualify for a master's degree you must pass the compulsory modules, one optional module and the dissertation together with research and study methods.

Compulsory modules:

• Advanced Chassis Engineering will give you a thorough understanding of the relevant theoretical and practical considerations associated with optimising vehicle performance. You will learn to apply advanced vehicle dynamic analysis techniques such as the derivative method and learn how to optimise suspension on our four-post rig.

• Performance Vehicle Design is a group research and development project on a topic relevant to vehicle engineering.

• Advanced Vehicle Aerodynamics focuses on the problem of how to design vehicle shapes and aerodynamic packages that enhance the vehicle performance.

• Laptime Simulation & Race Engineering looks at advanced vehicle performance subjects, including lap-time simulation, data acquisition, instrumentation and telemetry. You will learn to assess the performance of racing cars, develop strategies to race engineer them and determine their ultimate performance using lap-time simulation.

• Advanced Engineering Management provides you with an understanding of the management skills and knowledge that are important in engineering industries.

Optional modules:

• Vehicle Crash Engineering will give you an understanding of material, component and structural behaviour when subjected to medium to high impact events. This includes the design, testing and modelling of motorsport and automotive vehicles with regard to crash worthiness.

• Computation and Modelling presents finite element modelling of structures containing composite materials, advanced simulation techniques using ADAMS and an introduction to MATLAB.

• CAD/CAM is a master's level module that develops skills in using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing software.

• Advanced Strength of Components is concerned with the prediction of the load-carrying capacity and life of mechanical engineering components by an analysis of factors such as inelastic behaviour, residual stress, stability, cracks, and fatigue and contact loading.

• Advanced Materials Engineering and Joining Technology takes further the detailed processing and design of advanced materials for engineering products. The significance of the properties and composition of materials is explored in relation to the selection of joining processes and optimising joint design, for the manufacture of high-performance engineering products and structures.

• Data Acquisition Systems will provide you with an understanding of the theoretical and practical issues relating to the acquisition and analysis of data.

• Engineering Reliability and Risk Management covers the principles and techniques for improving the reliability of engineering components and systems, predicting their life and managing technical risk.

You also take:

• Research and Study Methods underpins work carried out for the dissertation. The module, delivered in a seminar style, will provide you with research skills, planning techniques, progress management and review, and the ability to use ICT support materials. You will be given guidance on the analysis and technical presentation of research material.
• The Dissertation is an individual research and development work on a topic relevant to motorsport engineering and related to your chosen course of study. The work may be undertaken in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.

As courses are reviewed regularly, the choice of modules available may differ from those described above. 

Faculty

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Course length

Full-time: 1 year (12 months)
Part-time: 2 years

Teaching location

Wheatley Campus

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P032924

Entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor's degree in mechanical, automotive or motorsport engineering or a related discipline. Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered.

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study Motorsport Engineering (MSc)

Oxford is right in the heart of the UK’s motorsport industry. Often called ‘Motorsport Valley’, the area has over 4000 high performance engineering businesses involved in all aspects of the motorsport and wider automotive sector. This close association makes Oxford Brookes one of the best locations in the world to study motorsport.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

The emphasis in our research groups is producing high-quality research for the real world. Staff have close links with industry through research projects and consultancies. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 80% of our engineering research output was judged to be of internationally excellent or world-leading quality.