School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

BEng (Hons) Motorsport and Automotive Engineering with Foundation Year

BEng (Hons) Full-time 4 years

Your route into motorsport engineering, even if you're not quite there yet on paper. A foundation year builds what you need — three more years build the engineer you'll become.

Your route into motorsport engineering, even if you're not quite there yet on paper. A foundation year builds what you need — three more years build the engineer you'll become.

Award
BEng (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
H112
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Choose the Foundation Year route if you're serious about a career in motorsport and automotive engineering but don't yet have the grades, subject combination, or confidence to go straight into the three-year BEng. Same degree, same opportunities — just a different starting point. You graduate with exactly the same BEng (Hons) Motorsport and Automotive Engineering as every other student on this course, with full access to University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR) from the second year onwards.

Entry is 48 UCAS points to start the Foundation Year, and we run Prepare for Foundation Year days for applicants who currently have fewer points than that — so a lower tariff today doesn't have to be the end of the conversation.

The course in five steps:

1. Prepare — spend the foundation year building the maths, engineering science, computing and communication skills you need, in a foundation year designed specifically for this.

2. Learn — build the foundations in solid mechanics, thermodynamics and engineering analysis alongside industry-standard CAD, CFD and FEA.

3. Build — specialise in designing and manufacturing key components like chassis and powertrain.

4. Race — join UWR and put your engineering into a vehicle that competes in Formula Student, working on live enterprise projects.

5. Become an engineer — graduate with a portfolio of vehicles and projects you built, and the exact same BEng (Hons) as every other student on this course.

Currently under re-accreditation by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), supporting your path to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

What's unique about this course?

  • Most foundation years exist to fill gaps. This one exists to build a specific launchpad into motorsport and automotive engineering — every foundation module is chosen with that destination in mind.

    • A genuinely lower entry point. 48 UCAS points to start, with Prepare for Foundation Year days available if you're currently below that.
    • Purpose-built foundation modules. Problem Solving in Science and Technology, Foundation Mathematics I and II, Practical Engineering Science for Electro-Mechanical Design, and Fundamentals of Computing — chosen specifically to prepare you for engineering study, not generic pre-degree content.
    • Small-group tutorial support built in, particularly in mathematics, so you're not left to catch up alone.
    • No ceiling on ambition. From Year 2 onwards you join the exact same course as every other student — same modules, same UWR access, same CFD/FEA/CAD tools, same Innovations Unleashed showcase.
    • A dedicated route through The Gatewayfor applicants with non-traditional qualifications or relevant work experience instead of standard grades.

What happens on the course?

The foundation year is unique to this route, after your first year you continue to Years 1-3 of the BEng course.

Foundation Year

  • Master core maths and physics principles through Foundation Mathematics I and II
  • Get hands-on with computing and software through Fundamentals of Computing
  • Build practical engineering science skills through Practical Engineering Science for Electro-Mechanical Design
  • Sharpen reading, professional writing and communication skills through Communication and Study Skills
  • Bring it together through Problem Solving in Science and Technology — applying everything to real scientific and technological problems

Year 1 covers: solid mechanics, thermodynamics, industry-led projects, and your introduction to CAD, CFD and FEA. Year 2 specialises into chassis and powertrain design and deeper computational analysis, alongside a substantial enterprise innovation project. Year 3 is where you apply everything: advanced computational motorsport design, a sustained group vehicle design project, and your own Individual Innovation Project, presented at Innovations Unleashed.

 

Placements on the course

Every student on this course is guaranteed a professional placement — a structured, real-world experience built into the degree itself, not left to chance or your own job-hunting. It's designed to give you genuine industry exposure, a proven track record for your CV, and the industry networks essential for a career in motorsport and automotive engineering.

These placements are broader than motorsport or automotive engineering roles alone — you won't always be placed directly into a race team or vehicle design position. Instead, every placement is chosen to build the transferable workplace skills that every engineering employer expects from day one: professionalism, communication, teamwork and time management, all of which translate directly into motorsport, automotive and wider manufacturing environments.

Our placements are:

  • Short duration — condensed, work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academically integrated — always linked to your coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based — you'll work on specific tasks or research with a real organisation
  • Flexible in format — in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual, depending on the opportunity
  • Focused on skill development — building communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills employers value
  • Experiential — closing the gap between the knowledge you've gained and the skills you need to succeed

Find out more about how professional placements work across all our courses.

Employability on the course

Because this route leads to exactly the same BEng (Hons) Motorsport and Automotive Engineering degree, it leads to exactly the same career outcomes — the Foundation Year builds the runway, it doesn't limit the destination.

Where graduates head

  • Race engineer and trackside roles
  • Vehicle dynamics engineer
  • Automotive and component design engineer
  • Powertrain development engineer
  • Test and development engineer
  • Research and development roles across motorsport and automotive systems

What backs it up

  • Full access to UWR and Formula Student from Year 2 onwards, exactly like every other student on the course.
  • The same industry-connected enterprise projects and Innovations Unleashed showcase as the standard degree.
  • The same alumni network, including graduates working in Formula 1 and across the automotive supply chain.
  • Placement opportunities built around the course to give you real workplace exposure before you graduate.

Course Modules

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Your Foundation Year builds a distinct set of outcomes before you move into the standard degree's outcomes:

  • Foundation year — science and maths: solve real-world problems using mathematical and statistical techniques.
  • Foundation year — engineering analysis: demonstrate and apply knowledge across a range of scientific and technological subjects.
  • Foundation year — design and innovation: apply problem-solving skills to scientific and technological scenarios.
  • Foundation year — engineering practice: communicate scientifically, in both written and oral form, to a range of audiences.

From your second year onwards, you build towards the same outcomes as every other student: applying advanced maths and engineering principles to complex motorsport and automotive problems, using computational tools to model real challenges, designing integrated solutions that balance performance with safety and sustainability, and delivering a complex project backed by technical literature review.

Location Mode Foundation Year Fee Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9790 £9790 per year 2026-27
International Full-time £17600 £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

Academic Pathway:-

Typical entry requirement: 48 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades DD / EEE
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades PPP
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades MP
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of D or E in Core
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here
  • Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

    Prepare for Foundation Pathway: - We will consider applicants who have not achieved level 3 qualifications if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. To receive an offer through this route you will be required to successfully attend and pass a Prepare for Foundation event. This is a one-day programme which is designed to assess your keen interest or recent experience in the subject, through a written assessment and a variety of activities. During the event you will have the opportunity to ask questions, be introduced to studying a higher education foundation course and meet staff and fellow students. If you would like more advice and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact Gateway to discuss and support you making an application to us.

    Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

    • A genuinely accessible entry point, with Prepare for Foundation Year days for applicants below 48 UCAS points, and support via The Gateway for non-traditional qualifications.
    • Small-group tutorial support, particularly in mathematics, to help you build confidence before you specialise.
    • The same championship-winning racing team, University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR), available to you from Year 2 onwards.
    • Industry-standard facilities at Springfield, including CAD, CFD and FEA software suites, a vehicle workshop, and metal 3D-printing and composite manufacturing labs.
    • Mature student support, for applicants who may not have two years of post-16 study but bring relevant work experience instead.

    Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

    Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

    Changes for EU students:

    The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

    EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


    Self-funding:

    If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

    For more information please contact the Gateway.


    Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

    If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

    We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


    Financial Hardship:

    Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

    for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


    Bursaries and Scholarships:

    In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

    You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

    Telephone

    01902 32 22 22

    Email

    enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

    Online

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    Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

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