Motorsport Technology

• As part of this programme you will be given an opportunity to gain a Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) accreditation by IMechE through a work placement with one of the University's industry partners. 
• You will benefit from the strong links we have forged with the local motorsports companies, many of which are based within 20 miles of Oxford. These companies support the course in many ways and are actively involved in shaping its content and style. 
• You will be part of an academic team with active research interests in racing vehicle design, aerodynamics, chassis, powertrain, suspension, tyre dynamics, lap time simulation and racing engine design. 
• You will have access to specialist facilities which include a four-post rig, damper dyno and high speed instrumented engine test cells. 
• You will benefit from a range of industry-standard analysis software which will give you the skills to contribute to innovation and growth in the industry.

 

The Motorsport Technology degree course covers the fundamentals of motorsport technologies and lasts 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 the best UK team in 2012. We set a world record in lateral acceleration in skid-pad at Formula SAE in Detroit in 2005.

Study modules

As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules available may vary from those listed here. Most of the modules will be compulsory.

Year 1

• Engineering Mathematics and Modelling
• Design & Practice I
• Introduction to Materials
• Basic Dynamics
• Basic Stress Analysis
• Basic Thermodynamics

Year 2 and final year

Year 2

• Statics & Dynamics Loading
• Design & Practice II
• Control Technology
• Automotive Electronics
• Simulation of Thermal Systems
• Materials Engineering

Final year

• Incorporated Engineering Project
• Management Ethics, Energy & Sustainability
• Vehicle Dynamics
• CAD/CAM
• Sensors and Data Logging
• Motorsport Vehicle Performance
• Advanced Automotive Electronics
• Motorsport Engineering Technology

Work placements

Our work placement programme has been commended by professional bodies as a model of excellence. We have placement opportunities with local, national and international engineering companies and product manufacturing companies. These are advertised through our placement office where support and guidance in applying for placements is provided. The transport and living costs are covered by the students.

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 industry, motorsport  industry and engineering, 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 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

Great opportunities to study or work abroad

You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year.

Studying abroad provides an amazing opportunity to add value to your studies by:

• increasing your employability within an international market
• boosting your language skills
• building your confidence in adapting to new situations
• improving your knowledge of different cultures.

While on exchange you will gain credits which count towards your degree.

We have more than 100 partner universities around the world. Funding is available through the Erasmus scheme, and also via some international programmes such as the Santander Student Awards.

There is also a European work placement programme which gives you the chance to work abroad as part of your studies.

For more information, visit our pages on studying abroad and exchanges.

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:

• studying at a Brookes partner college
• studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Additional costs

As part of the course, first-year engineering students spend time in laboratories, for which protective equipment is mandatory. This typically costs £20-£25, although you are able to use you own protective equipment, if suitable.

Programme changes

On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.

Teaching and learning

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 on computers.

Approach to assessment

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.

Tuition fees

Home/EU - full time fee: 2018/19: £9,250. 2019/20: £9,250.

Home/EU - part time fee: 2018/19: £750 per single module. 2019/20: £750 per single module.

Home/EU - sandwich placement fee: 2018/19: £1,380. 2019/20: £1,380.

International - full time: 2018/19: £14,000 2019/20: £14,280

International - sandwich placement fee: 2018/19: £3,920 2019/20: £4,000

Please note tuition fees for Home/EU students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.

Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning home and EU students at the maximum permitted level.

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed in the 'This course in detail' window above.

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:

• Funding for Undergraduate students from the UK and EU
• Funding for Undergraduate students from outside the EU

Typical offers

UCAS Tariff points: 112 - preferred subjects include Science, Design, Technology and Mathematics

A-Level: BBC, preferably in Science and/or Design/Technology, or Mathematics

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. This combination of A-level grades would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

IB Diploma: 30 points, preferably including Science or Technology related subjects

BTEC: Extended National Diploma in a relevant subject with a DDM profile

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 requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

How to apply

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. 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.

Why Oxford is a great place to study this course

Our location in the heart of the UK motorsports valley means you will benefit from our strong links with Lotus F1 Team, Infiniti Red Bull, Mercedes AMG Petronas, Williams, McLaren, Force India and AP Racing, including work placements and recruitment opportunities.

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 adhesive-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 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 race-car 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 system for fuel analysis.

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.

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. All F1 teams have employed Brookes graduates in the last three years.

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 exciting profession.

Course downloads

• Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences courses

Related courses

• Computer Science
• Motorsport Engineering (FdEng, Brooklands College)
• Motorsport Engineering BEng or MEng
• Motorsport Engineering (FdEng, Bridgwater and Taunton College)