| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-05-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Automotive and Transport Design MA program at Coventry University equips students with the skills and knowledge to design innovative and visionary automotive designs. Through industry-standard facilities, professional experience opportunities, and a curriculum developed with automotive design professionals, graduates are prepared for careers in automotive design, research and development, and teaching. The program emphasizes studio-delivered briefs, "live" industry projects, and exploration of global design drivers and emerging opportunities.
Program Outline
Automotive and Transport Design MA (2024/25)
Degree Overview:
Objective:
This course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by automotive and transport design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It aims to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and expertise you need to produce innovative and visionary automotive designs through a curriculum developed with significant input and continuing support from automotive design professionals.
Focus:
The curriculum emphasizes studio-delivered briefs and "live" industry projects, teaching the underlying theory, 2D and the latest 3D techniques to resolve automotive design challenges within exterior and interior design. You will be taught by a faculty with expertise in concept generation, modelling, interior, exterior and design-led development of low carbon vehicles. The program also offers an optional professional placement opportunity in the first semester for furthering skills and knowledge, maximizing employability prospects.
Key Features:
- Industry-standard facilities: Automotive clay modelling studio, laser cutting, rapid prototyping, 3D printing.
- Professional experience opportunity (optional).
- Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022).
- 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities.
- Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry) - QS Best Student Cities Index 2023.
Outline:
Structure:
1 year full-time program (May 2024 start).
Content:
- Industry-specific knowledge and expertise in advanced automotive design.
- Creation of innovative product design solutions in various styles:
- factoring purpose, usability, materials, ecology, desirability, technological feasibility, professional constraints.
- Explore global design drivers, markets, and emerging opportunities to produce solutions at the forefront of the sector.
- Design investigation and exploration of transport-related issues, opportunities, and solutions at a creative, holistic, or system-based level.
Modules:
- Collaboration in Practice (30 credits): Research methods, ethical practices, research exploration, and production.
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialism 1 (30 credits): Advanced knowledge and skills in 2D representation, 3D form and surface development, automotive and transport design theory and practice.
- Final Project Plan (10 credits): Define a research focus, plan potential project outcomes, develop a clear action plan for completing the final semester.
- Professional Context (20 credits): Professional practice, employability, portfolio development, communication, entrepreneurship opportunities, and career planning.
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialism 2 (30 credits): Deeper knowledge and advanced skills in automotive and transport design practices with emphasis on research and evaluation for generating innovative and aesthetically compelling design solutions.
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialist Investigation (20 credits): Implement the Final Project Plan: critical investigation in an area of interest to gain new knowledge, culminating in a personal project brief or creative direction.
- Automotive and Transport Design Final Project (30 credits): Sustained practical design project demonstrating skills, knowledge, and design sensibilities; outputs can be 2D and/or 3D with strong practical feasibility.
- Creative Futures and Social Change (10 credits): Changing work environment due to new technology and global economy; tools for development to thrive in this context and creating a better future for society.
Outline Note:
Module details and availability might be subject to change.
Assessment:
- Variety of methods depending on the module:
- Assignments.
- Essays.
- Group work.
- Presentations.
- Practical or project work.
- Coursework.
- Placements.
Teaching:
Contact hours:
Approximately 10 per week (semester 1 & 2), supervised for Final Major Project in semester 3.
Teaching methods:
- Mixed-size group teaching: workshops, seminars, lectures.
- Studio practice and bookable workshop access.
Independent study:
Approximately 20 hours per week.
Innovation:
University might utilize emerging technologies in the learning experience (e.g., online tools).
Delivery mode flexibility:
University prepared to deliver courses online or on-campus depending on government and public health guidance, prioritizing student and staff safety.
Careers:
Career opportunities:
- Automotive design: exterior and interior.
- Automotive research & development.
- Teaching or design management positions.
- Starting own business, consulting, modelling, illustration, CAD professional.
Recent graduates employed by:
- Jaguar Land Rover.
- SAIC.
- Tata.
- Geely.
Other:
- Collaborations with major automotive and transport companies for projects, industry visits, and networking.
- International focus: projects with international brands, live projects with international contributions.
- Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) opportunities.
Other Note:
Information is accurate as of November 2023.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
- UK, Ireland , Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)
- EU £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU support bursary
- £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU support bursary
- International £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)
Entry Requirements:
UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man:
Typical Entry Requirements:
- A degree in industrial, product, automotive, or transport design.
- Entry Qualifications equivalent to 2:1 in an automotive, transport, industrial, or product design-related degree or relevant professional experience.
- A 500-word personal statement suggesting an area of potential MA research.
- An excellent portfolio which should:
- Evidence vehicle exterior and interior design knowledge at a professional level (ideally through placement and/or professional experience) in critical evaluation, creative problem-solving, and presentation.
- Freehand sketching (sketchbooks, etc.) skills and exploration of a wide range of ideas must be extensively demonstrated through project work.
- Illustrate proficiency in developing automotive surfaces and volumes from 2D to 3D through automotive clay modelling or appropriate analogue materials and in CAD.
EU students:
- The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students, and utilize the Tuition Fee Loan.
- EU students without Irish residency will be charged international fees.
International Students:
Typical Entry Requirements:
- A degree in industrial, product, automotive, or transport design.
- Entry Qualifications equivalent to 2:1 in an automotive, transport, industrial, or product design-related degree or relevant professional experience.
- A 500-word personal statement suggesting an area of potential MA research.
- An excellent portfolio which should:
- Evidence vehicle exterior and interior design knowledge at a professional level (ideally through placement and/or professional experience) in critical evaluation, creative problem-solving, and presentation.
- Freehand sketching (sketchbooks, etc.) skills and exploration of a wide range of ideas must be extensively demonstrated through project work.
- Illustrate proficiency in developing automotive surfaces and volumes from 2D to 3D through automotive clay modelling or appropriate analogue materials and in CAD.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
For all students:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5
