Program Overview

Racing Engine Systems

MSc

Overview

Train for advanced design roles with engine manufacturers and their supply chains. Our Racing Engine Systems postgraduate degree meets industry requirements and is the only one of its kind in the world. You’ll study race engine theories and learn how to design winning engines. And you’ll discover how to build the hybrid and electric engines of the future.

Many high-performance engines are designed in the UK’s motorsport valley. Being in Oxford means you’re right in the middle of it. This gives you unrivalled access to the industry - insight you can use during your studies.

You’ll be taught in state-of-the-art laboratories, in a specialist engineering building, by some of the best minds in the engineering business. And our experts will help you prepare for your career.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Great location
• Industry approved
• Brand new facilities
• Work with professionals
• Good job prospects
• Accreditation(s)

Course Details

Course Structure

The modules you study combine practical experience, theory, and simulation to help prepare you for working in the industry. These include Racing Engine Systems, Advanced Powertrain, and Electric Powertrain. You’ll learn to review powertrain performances, understand the business requirements behind engineering and how to predict engine fracture and failure.

For your dissertation, you’ll study a specific topic of your choice at an in-depth level. They will help shape your research, planning and project management skills too.

You could take an industry-sponsored project from the likes of Ford, AVL, or a local racing team. Or you may prefer to work on your own project in the UK or abroad, and collaborate closely with a research or commercial organisation of your choice.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures and seminars to provide a sound theoretical base
• Practical work to demonstrate important aspects of theory or systems operation

We also invite visiting speakers from business and motorsport industry to provide valuable insights to your learning.

Assessment

You will be assessed through the following methods:

• Coursework exercises
• Essays
• Presentations
• Laboratory exercises
• Examinations

Study Modules

Taught Modules

• Advanced Powertrain Engineering (20 credits)
• Engineering Business Management (20 credits)
• Advanced Strength of Components (20 credits)
• Racing Engine Systems - System Integration (20 Credits)
• Electric Powertrain Systems (20 credits)
• Racing Engine Systems - Thermal (20 Credits)

Final Project

• MSc Dissertation (60 credits)

The dissertation (core, triple credit) is an individual project on a topic from race engineering, offering an opportunity to specialise in a particular area related to high performance engines. In addition to developing your expertise in a highly specialised field, including use of industry-standard software and/or experimental work, the module will also provide you with research skills, planning techniques, project management. Whilst a wide range of industry-sponsored projects are available (e.g. McLaren, AVL, VUHL etc.), students are also able undertake their own projects in the UK and abroad, to work in close co-operation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.

Research

The emphasis in our research groups is producing high-quality research for the real world. Our industry focused research includes an award-winning project with Yasa Motors and BMWi development.

Staff have close links with industry through research projects and consultancies. You can find out more on our department research pages.

The results of the most recent REF (2014) exercise showed that 96% of research in the department is internationally recognised, and 57% was judged to be of world leading quality or internationally excellent. More specifically, 50% of the impact case studies returned were judged to be internationally excellent, and 72% of the research outputs were judged to be internationally excellent or world leading.

Careers

Many of our students secure work before completing their dissertation. They now have careers with motorsport companies, Formula One teams and their suppliers, and research laboratories. They’re working on developing next generation engines.

Our careers support system is available to help you with advice and to support you with your career.

Entry Requirements

• Specific 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.
• English language requirements: If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components.

Tuition Fees

• Home (UK) full time: £10,250
• Home (UK) part time: £5,125
• International full time: £19,450

Funding Your Studies

• Financial support and scholarships: Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
• International Student Scholarship - CAS ready
• Part-Time UK Faculty Scholarship
• Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

Additional Costs

• Optional costs:
  • If you are considering bringing your own computer, most of the software we use is on Windows machines though there is some use of Linux. We do not use Apple MacOS and their use is not required but some students do choose to bring MacOS machines so a Mac can be a viable choice if you so wish.
  • It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online.
  • You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand.
  • Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills)
  • Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs)
  • Graduation costs include tickets, gowns and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41.
  • Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages.