Automotive and Transport Design MA
Coventry, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
This course offers you the opportunity to develop core skills demanded by automotive and transport design studios or global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Course Overview
Working on studio-delivered briefs and ‘live’ industry projects, you will be taught the underlying theory, 2D and the latest 3D techniques used to resolve automotive design challenges within the areas of exterior and interior design. We offer industry-standard facilities, including an automotive clay modelling studio, laser cutting, rapid prototyping and 3D printing.
This master's programme provides you with the additional option to apply for a professional placement opportunity during your first semester with us. The professional placement opportunity is designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. Read more about this option in the 'Modules' section below.
Why you should study this course
Designed to teach you the skills, knowledge and expertise to produce innovative and visionary automotive designs, this course has been developed with significant input and continuing support from automotive design professionals.
- Coventry has gained an international reputation for automotive research and teaching covering design, engineering, business and media. A former winner of ‘Best Design School’ in the World Automotive Design competition, we have hosted major symposiums on the future of transport design, the future of automotive design conferences and the ITS-UK Automotive User Interest Group.
- You will be taught by a college which currently includes specialists in automotive, transport and broader industrial design with expertise in concept generation, modelling, interior, exterior and design-led development of low-carbon vehicles. Their extensive professional experience includes working for well-known companies like Mercedes-Benz, PSA, General Motors, Daihatsu, Nissan and Ford (staff are subject to change).
- We deliberately strike a balance between traditional hand processes and emerging technologies. You’ll participate in workshops for block material, automotive clay modelling and handwork while having access to laser cutting, rapid prototyping (5-axis & 3-axis milling) and 3D printing.
- You can expect to develop the advanced knowledge needed to function as critical and effective practitioners, able to demonstrate excellence in visual aesthetics and develop conceptual designs in and from two dimensions into three dimensions.
Admissions
Curriculum
This course develops your understanding of the latest developments, drivers and practices of the automotive designer.
You will be taught to create innovative product design solutions in a range of styles and media, which factor in purpose, usability, materials, ecology, desirability, technological feasibility and professional constraints.
You will explore briefs and investigate global design drivers, markets and emerging opportunities to produce solutions at the forefront of the sector. The overall goal will be to innovatively challenge existing or future design through investigative and creative approaches. You will build upon existing skills and knowledge and develop professional design competencies that are industry-relevant and/or focus on their capability to explore transport issues, opportunities and solutions at a more creative, holistic or systems-based level.
Modules:
- Collaboration in Practice
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialism 1
- Final Project Plan
- Professional Context
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialism 2
- Automotive and Transport Design Specialist Investigation
- Automotive and Transport Design Final Project
- Creative Futures and Social Change
With professional experience option
The professional experience opportunity enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.
Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.
Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- the visual, analytical and aesthetic synthesis between 2D images and 3D forms
- the ways in which designers work and their role in the design and business process, environment and sustainability
- issues pertaining to the relationship between vehicle design theory and practice at a practical, advanced and conceptual level
- the role of the human as a user of the vehicle product and identify critical user issues.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
- demonstrate the appropriate aesthetic sensibilities through the application of theory and practical knowledge and skills to an automotive design project
- appraise, examine and evaluate the automotive product from a range of critical perspectives
- analyse future trends/scenarios and problems of a creative nature and propose original cohesive solutions
- evaluate design theory, ideas and solutions against automotive design practices
- demonstrate drawing and presentation skills commensurate with professional design studios.
Career opportunities are considered vast and varied within automotive design, research, teaching and design management. You could start your own business or become a design consultant, modeller, illustrator, CAD professional, design manager or marketing professional.
Where our graduates work
Recent graduates have been recruited by some of the industry’s most well-known manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, SAIC, Tata and Geely.