Motorsport Technology - 2013 entry
BSc (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: grades BBC, preferably in Science and/or Design/Technology, or Mathematics
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Overview
'I chose Oxford Brookes because when I asked people in the industry they said it had a brilliant reputation,' student, Charlotte Green
'I chose Oxford Brookes because when I asked people in the industry they said it had a brilliant reputation,' student, Charlotte Green
This course is run by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
This course is aimed at people who are interested in practical technical involvement in motorsports and in computer-aided design for racing cars. To succeed on the course, you should have a passion for making racing cars perform. We equip students with the engineering skills they need to excel in the profession.
You will benefit from the strong links we have forged with the local motorsports industry. These companies support the course in many ways and are actively involved in shaping its content and style.
We have active interests in racing vehicle design, aerodynamics, chassis, powertrain, suspension, tyre dynamics, lap time simulation and racing engine design. We have specialist facilities such as a four-post rig for chassis analysis, a damper dyno and high-revolution engine test cells. We use a range of industry-standard software in teaching, enabling our students to contribute effectively to innovation and growth in the industry.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning methods include seminars, lectures, and practical work in the laboratory, at a computer or in a workshop. We stress the importance of information technology in modern engineering practice, and in several modules almost all of the teaching is based around computers.
All modules taken during your first year have an element of continuous assessment. Those taken in your second and final years are assessed largely on the basis of written examinations, although some modules rely solely on coursework.
Learning outcomes
When you have successfully completed this course, you will have:
- the ability to apply basic engineering principles and analytical techniques in an automotive engineering context
- an appreciation of the computer-aided techniques used in developing design solutions
- an understanding of the engineering design process, at both the conceptual and detail levels
- a familiarity with the key factors in the automotive business environment, such as marketing skills, financial awareness and investment appraisal
- a range of transferable skills, including communication, numeracy, use of information technology, project management and teamworking.
In detail
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Course content
The Motorsport Technology degree course covers the fundamentals of motorsport technologies and lasts for three years (or four if you include the optional placement year). The disciplines covered range from CAD/CAM, stress and dynamic analysis, thermo-fluids to business and management. You will be exposed to all aspects of racing and road car design, gaining an understanding of the entire design process and learning how to turn your ideas into well-prepared design proposals.
All students on the course are eligible to join our Formula Student team - a project that will challenge you to design, build, test and race a single-seater racing car. The competition is held annually and around 50 universities compete. Our students have an excellent record in the competition, winning best team in 2003, 2004 and 2006. We set a world record in lateral acceleration in skid-pad at Formula SAE in Detroit in 2005.
As courses are reviewed regularly the module list you choose may vary from that shown here. Some modules will be compulsory.
Year 1
Graphics and Design
Automotive Materials and Manufacturing Techniques
Basic Mechanical Engineering Technology (double)
Basic Electrical Engineering
Basic Mathematical Methods I
Basic Mathematical Methods II
Introduction to Engineering Management
Basic Data Analysis
Word-Processing and Spreadsheet IT Skills
Programming the Virtual World
Year 2 and final year
Year 2
- Introductory Mathematics
- Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
- Introduction to Engineering Thermo-Fluids
- New Product Development
- Sensors and Data Logging
- Automotive Engineering Design and Computer Aided Engineering (double)
- Automotive Electronics
- Micro-Processors
- Control Technology
Final year
- Engineering Dynamics I
- Stress Analysis I
- Engineering Thermo-Fluids
- Computer Aided Animation
- Advanced CAD/CAM
- Motorsport Engine Technology
- Advanced Automotive Electronics
- Motorsport Vehicle Performance
- Materials Engineering
- Project (double)
- Motorsport Group Design Study
- Entrepreneurial Business Management (double)
Work placements
Our work placement programme has been commended by professional bodies as a model of excellence. We have placement opportunities with local automotive and product manufacturing companies.
You will be encouraged to work in industry for one year between the second and final years of the course. More and more students are taking up this option, as they recognise the benefits of obtaining industrial experience, consolidating their understanding of the automotive, motorsport and engineering industries, and applying their knowledge in an industrial environment.
On returning to university for their final year, the experience students have gained invariably improves their academic performance. We have an excellent record of graduates gaining full-time employment with their industrial placement year company.
Sponsored students spend the year with their sponsoring company. Students who are not sponsored will be assisted in finding a suitable placement.
Study abroad
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes, is available here.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) leading to Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.
Course length
Full-time: BSc (Hons): 3 years, 4 years sandwich
Part-time: BSc (Hons): up to 8 years
Teaching location
Wheatley Campus
Start date
September 2013
UCAS code
H331 BSc/AG
Fees / funding
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Tuition fees
The fees shown are for the academic year 2012/13. The fees for 2013/14 have yet to be set, and are likely to increase.
UK/EU students
Full-time: £9,000
Part-time: £750 per module. You can take up to five modules per academic year.
Placement year: £2,000. This is the fee for students taking their placement in 2012, and will increase annually with inflation.
Tuition fees
The fees shown are for the academic year 2012/13. The fees for 2013/14 have yet to be set, and are likely to increase.
International students
Full-time: £11,750
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Funding and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
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Typical offers
A-level: grades BBC, preferably in Science and/or Design/Technology, or Mathematics
IB Diploma: 30 points, preferably including Science or Technology related subjects
Advanced Diploma: Engineering grade B, including A-level Maths at a pass grade
BTEC Extended National Diploma in a relevant subject with a DDM profile and GCSE mathematics.
Other equivalent qualifications will be assessed on an individual basis.
Specific entry requirements
A-level: BBC, preferably in Science and/or Design/Technology, or Mathematics
GCSE: Maths grade B minimum and English Language grade C minimum
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
Please see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Why Oxford is a great place to study Motorsport Technology
As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which will provide you with a host of work placement and other learning opportunities.
Our location in the heart of the UK motorsports valley means you will benefit from our strong links with Lotus F1 Team, Red Bull, Mercedes GP, Williams, McLaren, Force India and AP Racing, including work placements and recruitment opportunities.
Oxford is a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for its large student population, from theatres and cinemas to museums, art galleries and music venues. A bustling and stunning cosmopolitan city, Oxford has excellent shopping, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs.
Situated in the heart of rural England and home to around 150,000 people, Oxford offers students a clean and safe environment less than an hour from London and international airports.
Specialist facilities
You'll have access to a broad range of up-to-date facilities, including computer equipment, audio and video media facilities and software for computer-aided design and analysis.
We also have the following well-equipped engineering laboratories and workshops:
- Mechanical Engineering Workshop and Projects Lab - providing machining and fabrication facilities.
- Joining Technology Research Centre (JTRC) - used primarily for research into adhesively-bonded joints and structures.
- Stress and Materials Laboratory - where all machines are digitally controlled and capable of static and fatigue testing.
- Dynamics Laboratory - with several pieces of high performance equipment for vibration monitoring and recording as well as acoustic measurements and modelling, including a damper dyno.
- Fluid Mechanics Laboratory - housing a Plint and Partners open loop closed working section wind tunnel, a laminar and turbulent flow rig, pipe and nozzle flow apparatus.
- Automotive Laboratory - fully-equipped with workbenches, shelving and cabinets containing engineers' hand tools, automotive and racecar test and measurement equipment (including a four-post rig for chassis analysis), pneumatic and electric power tools, lifting equipment and a range of personal protective equipment.
- Thermodynamics Laboratory - supporting the engine testing and emissions analysis programmes within the department and including a drop tube furnace, which is a specialised fuel analysis system.
General support services
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.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) leading to Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.
Career prospects
The UK motor industry employs thousands of graduates each year and has a highly successful autosports sector. Whether it's a rallying, F1, Indycar or touring car race, the chances are that a British car will be the winner. On the other hand, your aspirations may lead you to design the next new Mini or the latest executive saloon with an international pedigree.
These are the career paths to which our undergraduates aspire, and Motorsport Technology provides the right balance of education and practical experience to equip you for this exacting profession.
