Automotive Engineering MEng (Hons)
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
The first three years of the course, or four years if you undertake a year-long industrial placement, are the same as our BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering. You’ll then complete a further year to gain your MEng. This final year continues the strong focus on automotive engineering. The MEng programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to meet the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
You should apply for this course if you want to meet in full the academic requirements for becoming a Chartered Engineer, which is associated with higher salaries. Employers place particular value on graduates who, because they already have an MEng, don’t need to undertake postgraduate studies alongside their day-to-day work.
Throughout the course you’ll be tackling problems within a practical context. Our sustainable engineering agenda will ensure that you’ll be equipped to work ethically in a world that needs engineers to meet societal challenges.
Manufacturing & Production Engineering is ranked Top 20 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2025.
Engineering is ranked 25th for research power in the UK out of 89 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 8 places compared to 2014.
The first three years of the course, or four years if you undertake a year-long industrial placement, are the same as our BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering. You’ll then complete a further year to gain your MEng. This final year continues the strong focus on automotive engineering. The MEng programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to meet the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
You should apply for this course if you want to meet in full the academic requirements for becoming a Chartered Engineer, which is associated with higher salaries. Employers place particular value on graduates who, because they already have an MEng, don’t need to undertake postgraduate studies alongside their day-to-day work.
Throughout the course you’ll be tackling problems within a practical context. Our sustainable engineering agenda will ensure that you’ll be equipped to work ethically in a world that needs engineers to meet societal challenges.
Manufacturing & Production Engineering is ranked Top 20 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2025.
Engineering is ranked 25th for research power in the UK out of 89 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 8 places compared to 2014.
UCAS Code
H3P6
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department
Mechanical and Construction Engineering
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2026
Fees
Fee Information
Find out more about our department, facilities and what other students are taking part in.
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Our teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and group projects as well as tutor-directed and self-directed research. There’s a strong emphasis on problem-solving because we believe that you’ll learn best when you’re engaged in applying what we teach.
Assessment methods are designed to give you feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. They include assessed projects that will enable you to test your skills and understanding. For most modules, though not all of them, the main method of assessment is coursework and not exams.
Our expertise is reflected in the range and depth of our collaborations with industrial partners, such as Ricardo, JCB, Cummins and Caterpillar. We’ve built up excellent industrial links during the 50+ years that we’ve been offering engineering courses. These links help ensure high quality placements and collaborative projects.
Northumbria has the advantage of being located in the North East of England, which is a centre of manufacturing and technical innovation. As well as Nissan, the region’s #1 company, there is a strong concentration of automotive, engineering, chemicals, construction and manufacturing companies.
When it comes to making sure you learn from the best, our staff are second to none.
Dr Martin Birkett
Professor Birkett currently leads the Engineering Materials and Mechanics Group (EM2G) and mainly teaches on the Mechanical Engineering degree programmes.
Read MoreDr Brabha Nagaratnam
Dr Christopher Connor
Northumbria University provides outstanding facilities for engineering. We have specialist laboratories for smart materials and composites, building and construction, control and instrumentation, and fluids and thermodynamics.
We have a twin engine test cell, wind tunnel and virtual reality suite for research into collision detection systems and car-to-car interaction. Northumbria is making significant advances in communication technologies, electronics and Bluetooth.
Our rapid prototyping room will make it easy for you to bring your design projects to life, and our modelling workshop offers tools and specialist equipment for modelling your designs. All our facilities are backed up by specialist technicians who will give support and advice when you need it.
To facilitate group projects, there is a working space called The Hub that’s well equipped for meetings and working with IT. The Zone is another area that’s popular with students undertaking group work or individual study.
The Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering has modern laboratory and computing resources for learning, teaching, research, innovation and business engagement.
Facilities
The practical part is the best thing on my course. Northumbria has top end lab equipment for those that like practical work more than theory.
Sandean Fernandes
Student
Come and explore our outstanding facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
At the heart of each Northumbria campus, our libraries provide a range of study space and technology to suit every learning style.
Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. With our problem-solving approach you’ll acquire a wide range of research and analytical skills as you progress through the course. These skills will come together in the major project that you’ll undertake, which requires independent research and appropriate techniques of inquiry, critical evaluation and synthesis.
Throughout the course your learning will be directly impacted by the teaching team’s active research into their specialist subjects. One of Northumbria’s signature research themes is ‘Future Engineering’, which is about innovation in the engineering and construction industries so that they are fit for purpose in the 21st century. We also have particular interests in novel construction materials, Building Information Management, smart materials and sustainable technologies.
Find out more about the research taking place in this department.
MEng (Hons) Mechanical and Automotive Engineering has been designed to fully meet the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)’s academic requirements for becoming a Chartered Engineer. Chartered status is associated with improved employability and higher salaries.
The optional placement year will enrich your experience and provide opportunities to engage with industry. There is also an option to spend the year studying abroad, which will broaden your international experience.
Our ‘learning by doing’ approach will give you an in-depth understanding and technical skills that are sought by employers. The major project in your third/fourth year, and the interdisciplinary engineering project in your fourth/fifth year, are great opportunities to apply everything you’ll have learnt. The outcome is not only important for assessment purposes but also to demonstrate your professionalism to potential employers.
Our Careers and Employment Service offers resources and support that will help you find roles matching your interests and skills. You’ll be able to access a range of workshops, one-to-one advice, and networking opportunities.
By the end of this course you’ll be in an excellent position to become an automotive engineering professional. Engineering is a growth industry and currently there is a shortage of engineers. The UK government is stressing the importance of skilled, qualified engineers to the future of business and industry.
The MEng (Hons) qualification will give you an extra edge in the job market. It’ll show that you have extended and deepened your knowledge and skills compared to others who have an undergraduate degree such as a BEng (Hons).
Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.
You can boost your CV and develop your experience whilst studying at Northumbria.
From first year through to final year and beyond graduation, we are here to help.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
Careers and Employment Services
Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Automotive Engineering. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.
112 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
Applicants will need A-level Mathematics and another analytical science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Physics or Technology), or recognised equivalents.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
96 to 112 Tariff Points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions and we understand that every applicant’s circumstances can be different, which is why we take a flexible approach when making offers for this course. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our university regardless of personal circumstances or background. Typically, offers range from 96 to 112 UCAS tariff points, but we’ll assess your individual circumstances and potential when reviewing your application
To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
Applicants will need A-level Mathematics and another analytical science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Physics or Technology), or recognised equivalents.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535
* This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) * Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1:
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Optional field trips - approximate costs up to £200.
UK Fee in Year 1*: TBC
* Government has yet to announce 26/27 tuition fee levels.
International Fee in Year 1:
TBC
ADDITIONAL COSTS
TBC
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
else
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Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS
International applicants please apply using the links below
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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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