Motorsport Engineering

Flexible learning

Engineering is such a broad discipline, and you may not fully know which area of engineering is the right choice to study, so this course has been designed with you in mind. In the first year, you will cover all aspects of engineering to gain the multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge that we know employers are looking for.

You then have the option in your second year to switch your degree to either BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering or BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, or continue studying on BEng (Hons) Motorsport Engineering.

Practical and technical skills

Our teaching facilities feature a vast range of vehicles and systems for you to explore and to help you prepare for life after graduation. Our computer labs host technical software widely used in the motorsport industry for design, modelling and simulation.

Our excellent facilities include:

• Motorsport Workshop: The workshop is equipped with several different race vehicles, engines and gearboxes for you to work on. The facility is set up to deliver learning across advanced power train engineering, motorsport chassis design and computational fluid dynamics
• Computer Labs: Computers in these labs host industry-standard software where you can work on the simulation aspect of vehicle dynamics, computational fluid dynamics and power train
• Mechanical workshop: Equipped with both traditional lathes and milling machines alongside more modern CNC equipment, you will have opportunities to use this area to gain hands-on experience machining car parts
• Wind Tunnel and Thermodynamics: This practical space contains a wind tunnel and test engine. Here you can test the aerodynamics of objects, studying the flow of air or gases around an object in motion
• Makerspace: This creative space can be used to work on any project and turn your ideas into a prototype. All students have access to this space, and it's a fantastic way of sharing knowledge and skills with one another. Equipment available includes 3D printers, CNC machines and a laser cutter.

Real-world experience

We give you the opportunity to take part in a range of events where you apply theory to real life scenarios and events.

In your second year, lectures, tutorials and assessments are designed around our Radical SR1 race car (Radical SR1 Cup is a race programme that offers different levels of competition), giving you the chance to enhance your race car engineering knowledge through practical and simulation work.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in track testing and, on some occasions, participate in races. Previously students have supported races at Donington Park, Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Snetterton.

You can also be part of Formula Student - the world’s biggest student motorsport competition – and this could also become a highlight of your studies. Team Derby Motorsport entered this competition for the first time in 2015 and have since taken part in Class 1 and Class 2 competitions.

Watch the video below of Team Derby Motorsport at the first round of the 2022 Radical SR1 Cup Championship at Donington Park:

Meeting the needs of the industry and you

Employers are increasingly seeking engineers with a broader knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering to meet their environmental, consumer and business needs. As a university based in an advanced engineering city, it is vital that we offer degrees that match the multi-disciplinary requirements that employers are looking for.

We have strong industry connections with a range of organisations and teams who input into the development and experience of modules, including:

• EXCELR8 Motorsport (Team in BTCC and MINI CHALLENGE)
• MINI CHALLENGE (Championship)
• Toyota
• Radical

Industry insight

Together, the teaching team have a range of experience working in the motorsport industry as well as researching current areas of growth. Our research teams work closely with local motorsport engineering companies and our Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering to support and encourage innovation.

• Dr Jianfei Xie: Jianfei teaches and has expertise in computational fluid dynamics. His interests include aerodynamics and the structures of aeroplanes in the aeronautical engineering area
• Professor Zhiyin Yang: Zhiyin is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University. He conducts world-leading research and has published over 100 scientific papers. His teaching covers Thermofluids and advanced computational fluid dynamics
• Dr Shahed Motaman: Shahed’s teaching covers CFD modelling, manufacturing and design and SolidWorks. His research covers a variety of areas including heat transfer simulations and multiphase flow

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year  to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We will support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It is a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You will be taught in a variety of methods including:

• lectures
• seminars
• field trips
• annual series of guest lectures
• work placements
• additional extra-curricular activities.

How you are assessed

Assessment is carried out in various ways including:

• coursework assignments
• examinations
• formal presentations.

Who will teach you

• Andrew Menzies
• George Dixon

Upon graduation you will be prepared as can be for the world of work, thanks to all the practical and applied experiences you have received. You will have been supported to build all the confidence and skills you need to progress directly into the international motorsport arena.

Previous graduates have secured employment with companies like Cosworth, Zytec, JLR, Pirelli and EPM Composites. They have also raced all over the world and worked with international race teams in F1, GP2, FIA-GT and with a variety of national teams. 

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.