Advice on Automotive engineering degree
Discussion
I've been working in banking for 4 years but have decided i would rather do something i really have a passion for and something that will challenge me as i currently feel as though my full potential is not being utilised within my current role (not being big headedjust have got everything out this job i possibly could have).
Im currently 23 years old and would like to have any advice on things that would help me prepare myself for this degree or any other things that could help.
Brief background i got straight a's and a*s up until i got to college where i discovered the distraction that is women and my grades dropped to like 2 grade d's at a level. So i am keen to demonstrate my inteligence as i lacked alot of dicipline in my younger years.
Im currently 23 years old and would like to have any advice on things that would help me prepare myself for this degree or any other things that could help.
Brief background i got straight a's and a*s up until i got to college where i discovered the distraction that is women and my grades dropped to like 2 grade d's at a level. So i am keen to demonstrate my inteligence as i lacked alot of dicipline in my younger years.
Just to add, but probably goes without saying im going to be entering as a mature student and dont know whether what ive got is already sufficient or most likely i may need to do a enginerring foundation year as im planning on studying this at huddesfield university and they require 320 points if im correct
If your really good with maths such as differentiation , know what a power is etc etc and have some common sense for laws of physics along with CAD modelling you wont have a problem.
If you find the maths overwhelming , go down the product design route like i did. The math is still there but not as intensive
If you find the maths overwhelming , go down the product design route like i did. The math is still there but not as intensive
You know whether you're smart enough to do it or not, so you don't need the internet to tell you that. The real question is one of funding etc.
This isn't something you can do with the OU (been there, done that, got the BSc), so you'll be doing it full time presumably? In which case where are you going to live and how are you going to pay for everything?
I reached a similar realisation to yourself a few years ago. I have a mortgage to pay and a life I enjoy, so my plan is to keep acquiring buy to lets until the rental income is vaguely doable to keep me going, then pursue the degree. In the mean time, I'll learn the stuff myself in advance through reading and doing the work myself on my own cars, who knows, maybe I'll get sick of it!
This isn't something you can do with the OU (been there, done that, got the BSc), so you'll be doing it full time presumably? In which case where are you going to live and how are you going to pay for everything?
I reached a similar realisation to yourself a few years ago. I have a mortgage to pay and a life I enjoy, so my plan is to keep acquiring buy to lets until the rental income is vaguely doable to keep me going, then pursue the degree. In the mean time, I'll learn the stuff myself in advance through reading and doing the work myself on my own cars, who knows, maybe I'll get sick of it!
Appreciate both of your responses, I've always been good at maths but thats only up til gcse level which i acquired an 'A' grade which is a while ago but not so worried about being smart enough etc
I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
Jobs are everywhere but to give myself a better chance i had to move back to the midlands. JLR also always want new talent as contracytors , so if your around the midlands you shouldn't have a issue getting into a small manufacturing business as whatever to get your foot in after graduation .
It took me 2 weeks after i graduated in 2011 and probably 300 applications.
It took me 2 weeks after i graduated in 2011 and probably 300 applications.
Raman Kandola said:
Appreciate both of your responses, I've always been good at maths but thats only up til gcse level which i acquired an 'A' grade which is a while ago but not so worried about being smart enough etc
I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
Without meaning to sound rude, there is a sizeable (read enormous) chasm between GCSE maths and the level of maths required for an Automotive Engineering Degree. I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
I studied Automotive Engineering at Loughborough Uni and despite having A levels in Maths and Further Maths still found the maths for the course seriously challenging. In the first year we were sharing a number of maths lectures with students studying degree level maths.
Maybe things have changed, but you needed a minimum of a B in Maths and a B in Physics at A Level to even be looked at being accepted to join the Auto Eng course.
Yeah i agree there is astronomical difference between gcse and A-level so wasnt trying to imply anything there about my own abilities. Looking at the course entry requirements is it required gcse math at c grade and a level grades of AAB but did not say anything about any specific a level subjects. Would these subject e.g. maths be just preferred or as a mandatory requirement.
And tbh i've not done too much research in apprenticeships to be honest. Dont yet understand how these weigh up against a honours degree. Sure it would probably help practical experiance perhaps?
Im off to do some research!
And tbh i've not done too much research in apprenticeships to be honest. Dont yet understand how these weigh up against a honours degree. Sure it would probably help practical experiance perhaps?
Im off to do some research!
If it helps, I did A Levels but for a number of reasons in life I chose not to go straight to uni, went back in my mid-twenties, got a 2:1 in automotive engineering and after a few years of working hard for an opportunity I got in at Ford.
The problem you might have is that you need to move for the work, as it's unlikely that you'll be able to find a way in without some flexibility in location.
The problem you might have is that you need to move for the work, as it's unlikely that you'll be able to find a way in without some flexibility in location.
It was 16 years ago (god, that's depressing!) when I got into Loughborough, so points etc have changed, but they stipulated B in Maths and Physics at A level as specific minimum mandatory entry requirements.
I'm sure they did so in recognition of the level of complexity in that area. Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics get seriously heavy in the maths department!
Not saying these things to put you off, as I wish you all the best, but just thought it worth pointing out.
I'm sure they did so in recognition of the level of complexity in that area. Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics get seriously heavy in the maths department!
Not saying these things to put you off, as I wish you all the best, but just thought it worth pointing out.
Really appreciate all the advice so thank you, I can now see its going to be heavily maths and physics orientated which i expect to be very challenging which something that kind of motivates me as ive been stuck in a job where the skill i can demonstrate is heavily limited and feel this would be good.
In regards to location in currently live in huddersfield at the moment so any where in west yorkshire would be preferable as the MRS doesnt want to move too far away from her family however has accepted that she would be willing to move for a few years (3 max id imagine) in order for me to get into the field. So hoping that should help
In regards to location in currently live in huddersfield at the moment so any where in west yorkshire would be preferable as the MRS doesnt want to move too far away from her family however has accepted that she would be willing to move for a few years (3 max id imagine) in order for me to get into the field. So hoping that should help
Another Loughborough engineer here. I spent my A Levels working earning money rather than working for my A Levels so needed to do a foundation and Loughborough's science and engineering foundation course was great. I'd recommend you take a look. You'd be applying to start in the autumn next year I presume?
I'm currently in my fifth and final year of Loughborough's Automotive Engineering MEng course, having just done a year's placement at a large OEM. I hope that puts me in a good position to help you out with regard to getting onto these courses and entering the industry in general, since my info is pretty current! I'll write a little here but please feel free to PM me if you'd like further advice. Would love to help save someone from banking 
A great many people underestimate the level of mathematics in engineering. The common definition of an engineer is one who uses mathematical tools to solve practical problems, and it really is that. When I entered the Loughborough course in 2010, requirements were for AAB at A-level which must include maths and physics - ie, you had to have an A in at least one of them, with Further Maths being strongly preferred. You could have distinctions in BTECs or similar to replace A-levels, but your chances appeared worse and again much evidence of mathematical skill was needed. This turned out to be pretty justified, as the level is serious, and two modules of first year are actually taught by the mathematics department themselves. In all modules without exception, there's high-level use of maths. I've always been strong with maths and got 90% at A-level, and for me it's manageable but still tough at times.
That being said, there is a lot of support available, experience in other universities may vary but Loughborough has a specific maths learning and support centre which I hear is quite good. I'm just highlighting the difficulty you may have getting through the door with your current qualifications. I think having spent four years in the real world your work ethic will be better than most students and you'll be able to overcome a certain amount of disadvantage, but even with the high entry requirements around a third of my (150-student) intake failed first year.
Once you've got onto the course, either through wrangling your experience and existing skills or through a foundation degree: provided you have a mind suited to maths, conceptual work and an active interest in cars (being on here alone puts you in the top half of "interest in cars" on my course), you should be OK. Interest in cars is optional but will hugely help motivation and is useful for relating concepts back to reality. It's generally a minimum requirement to achieve a 2:1 grade, which is 60%. Lower than this will exclude you from most decent graduate schemes. You could do a straight BEng and be finished in three years, an MEng course is slightly more distinguished but takes four. I really strongly recommend a year's placement to any student entering at 18, but for you perhaps it would be less necessary, as evidence you can function as a professional should already be clear from your CV.
Employability is excellent. If you have at least a 2:1 from a respectable university, you'll be fine. Last I checked, 95% of alumni from my course were employed in at least graduate-level jobs within a year. It's an industry that's doing very well in the UK and demand for high-quality engineers seems to be rising, which is nice
and in general the companies are very good to work for. From what I hear about banking, you'd find the culture dramatically more pleasant! Starting salary for graduates is typically £26-30k, rising to £35k within three years.
Funding is a serious consideration. My student loan total is around £35k now, and I entered on £3400 fees. They're now £9k a year, so an absolute minimum outlay is £27k to complete a BEng, plus all your living costs.
Be open-minded about where you study, as the quality of the department, the teaching, the research and the industrial connections varies wildly. I'm here because I emailed the HR departments of a load of large OEMs asking where they like their graduates to come from, and every one of them mentioned Loughborough. Taking a quick look at the Times' university guide, specifically for mechanical or automotive engineering course ratings, would be well worthwhile. Bearing the above note on course costs in mind, having to live away and rent somewhere for £4k a year quickly becomes worthwhile if you get a much better experience and better-respected degree out of it.
Just a snapshot of my thoughts but as I say, please feel free to PM me. That goes for anyone else interested who happens to read this!
A great many people underestimate the level of mathematics in engineering. The common definition of an engineer is one who uses mathematical tools to solve practical problems, and it really is that. When I entered the Loughborough course in 2010, requirements were for AAB at A-level which must include maths and physics - ie, you had to have an A in at least one of them, with Further Maths being strongly preferred. You could have distinctions in BTECs or similar to replace A-levels, but your chances appeared worse and again much evidence of mathematical skill was needed. This turned out to be pretty justified, as the level is serious, and two modules of first year are actually taught by the mathematics department themselves. In all modules without exception, there's high-level use of maths. I've always been strong with maths and got 90% at A-level, and for me it's manageable but still tough at times.
That being said, there is a lot of support available, experience in other universities may vary but Loughborough has a specific maths learning and support centre which I hear is quite good. I'm just highlighting the difficulty you may have getting through the door with your current qualifications. I think having spent four years in the real world your work ethic will be better than most students and you'll be able to overcome a certain amount of disadvantage, but even with the high entry requirements around a third of my (150-student) intake failed first year.
Once you've got onto the course, either through wrangling your experience and existing skills or through a foundation degree: provided you have a mind suited to maths, conceptual work and an active interest in cars (being on here alone puts you in the top half of "interest in cars" on my course), you should be OK. Interest in cars is optional but will hugely help motivation and is useful for relating concepts back to reality. It's generally a minimum requirement to achieve a 2:1 grade, which is 60%. Lower than this will exclude you from most decent graduate schemes. You could do a straight BEng and be finished in three years, an MEng course is slightly more distinguished but takes four. I really strongly recommend a year's placement to any student entering at 18, but for you perhaps it would be less necessary, as evidence you can function as a professional should already be clear from your CV.
Employability is excellent. If you have at least a 2:1 from a respectable university, you'll be fine. Last I checked, 95% of alumni from my course were employed in at least graduate-level jobs within a year. It's an industry that's doing very well in the UK and demand for high-quality engineers seems to be rising, which is nice
and in general the companies are very good to work for. From what I hear about banking, you'd find the culture dramatically more pleasant! Starting salary for graduates is typically £26-30k, rising to £35k within three years.Funding is a serious consideration. My student loan total is around £35k now, and I entered on £3400 fees. They're now £9k a year, so an absolute minimum outlay is £27k to complete a BEng, plus all your living costs.
Be open-minded about where you study, as the quality of the department, the teaching, the research and the industrial connections varies wildly. I'm here because I emailed the HR departments of a load of large OEMs asking where they like their graduates to come from, and every one of them mentioned Loughborough. Taking a quick look at the Times' university guide, specifically for mechanical or automotive engineering course ratings, would be well worthwhile. Bearing the above note on course costs in mind, having to live away and rent somewhere for £4k a year quickly becomes worthwhile if you get a much better experience and better-respected degree out of it.
Just a snapshot of my thoughts but as I say, please feel free to PM me. That goes for anyone else interested who happens to read this!
As others have said, there is a huge gulf between A-level maths and the maths required for any mechanical engineering based degree, let alone GCSE maths.
There were a number of people on my course at Newcastle university who had attended the foundation year and they were properly prepared whilst many of those straight in from A-level's, including myself, were struggling a bit in first year.
Edit, as an aside, I actually started out wanting to do an automotive degree and ended up doing a more general mechanical engineering degree. I still got involved in formula student etc but in the end I have found designing sub-sea pipe laying equipment, manufacturing processes for T45 destroyers etc just as interesting. I guess what I`m saying is, don't worry too much about jobs in the automotive industry too much, there will be lots of other interesting areas that you could apply your degree to if it doesn't work out.
There were a number of people on my course at Newcastle university who had attended the foundation year and they were properly prepared whilst many of those straight in from A-level's, including myself, were struggling a bit in first year.
Edit, as an aside, I actually started out wanting to do an automotive degree and ended up doing a more general mechanical engineering degree. I still got involved in formula student etc but in the end I have found designing sub-sea pipe laying equipment, manufacturing processes for T45 destroyers etc just as interesting. I guess what I`m saying is, don't worry too much about jobs in the automotive industry too much, there will be lots of other interesting areas that you could apply your degree to if it doesn't work out.
Edited by R26Andy on Monday 10th November 11:31
Here's JLRs apprentice requirements:
To apply for the Higher Apprenticeship scheme, you’ll need a minimum 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English, plus a Science / Technology / Engineering related subject. You’ll also require 2 A Levels at grade C or above in both a Mathematical subject and a Science / Technology / Engineering related subject – or a Level 3 qualification (180 credits with a minimum of a MERIT award in the Maths element). An appropriate engineering qualification may be considered depending on the content studied, breadth and depth and grade achieved.
To apply for the Higher Apprenticeship scheme, you’ll need a minimum 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English, plus a Science / Technology / Engineering related subject. You’ll also require 2 A Levels at grade C or above in both a Mathematical subject and a Science / Technology / Engineering related subject – or a Level 3 qualification (180 credits with a minimum of a MERIT award in the Maths element). An appropriate engineering qualification may be considered depending on the content studied, breadth and depth and grade achieved.
Yes, I'd say that too. Don't get too hung up on automotive engineering jobs because the bottom line is that you'd have to move permanently to some area quite a bit further away from Huddersfield after studying - from what you've said, it doesn't sound like the MRS would like that permanently.
Also, bear in mind, there's a fair chance you'd end up designing something dull like a window winding mechanism or a wiper arm or such like. Other industries, who knows - the deep sea oil stuff sound fascinating!
Also, bear in mind, there's a fair chance you'd end up designing something dull like a window winding mechanism or a wiper arm or such like. Other industries, who knows - the deep sea oil stuff sound fascinating!
plfrench said:
Raman Kandola said:
Appreciate both of your responses, I've always been good at maths but thats only up til gcse level which i acquired an 'A' grade which is a while ago but not so worried about being smart enough etc
I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
Without meaning to sound rude, there is a sizeable (read enormous) chasm between GCSE maths and the level of maths required for an Automotive Engineering Degree. I would like to do this course full time and although im getting married next year, the wedding (honeymoon etc itself is already paid off) and im in the fortunate position to actually be gifted a house so will be mortgage free and living on the O/H's wage which we will be comfortable on so finance not an issue either.
Wondering what the availablity of jobs are like, ive been searching and there seems to be fair few but just thought id get an opionion from someone whos already in field (or heading that way) that may have a better idea of the state of the current job market than me
I studied Automotive Engineering at Loughborough Uni and despite having A levels in Maths and Further Maths still found the maths for the course seriously challenging. In the first year we were sharing a number of maths lectures with students studying degree level maths.
Maybe things have changed, but you needed a minimum of a B in Maths and a B in Physics at A Level to even be looked at being accepted to join the Auto Eng course.
I got a B in GCSE maths (back in 1995). I then did a Mechatronics (mechanical/electrical engineering, manufacturing, etc) BTEC National Diploma at college. It included maths that was supposed to be somewhere towards A-level, but we only did maths as about 10% of our curriculum. Our maths teacher was very serious that if we intended to go onto an engineering degree that we should be doing extra work. I breezed through the work required for the BTEC so ignored his advice.
I got distinctions in all subjects, which was unheard of. I worked really, really hard at it. My results were equivalent to 3x As at A-level. I got onto the Automotive Engineering Degree at Loughborough for 1997.
I lasted 3 months. I was completely under-prepared because i hadn't done A-levels. My essays/reports came back littered with remarks, basically covered in red pen because the standard expected at BTEC level (which itself was a massive step up from GSCE) wasn't up to scratch on the degree.
I went from getting 80% plus on coursework on the BTEC to getting <50% on the majority of the work i did on the degree. I simply gave up TBH. The maths meant nothing to me and because the delivery is in lecture format, it's quite hard to ask for extra help. The maths lectures were pretty much just sitting there copying what the lecturer was scribbling. I was completely lost.
In some subjects i was a little ahead. Materials i had done lots of at college, so that was easy. Computer programming i had always been into, so that was easy too. I could see i was going to fail, had a complete breakdown over the christmas holidays, went back after to get my stuff and quit.
Spent 8 months operating a fork lift and driving 7.5T lorry for my uncle. Then went back and did an IT degree. Been in IT ever since. It's been good to me, but i would much rather work in the Automotive field.
This is all some time ago, so maybe the support is better now.
Edited by dapearson on Monday 10th November 12:03
LdnShtr said:
Another Loughborough engineer here. I spent my A Levels working earning money rather than working for my A Levels so needed to do a foundation and Loughborough's science and engineering foundation course was great. I'd recommend you take a look. You'd be applying to start in the autumn next year I presume?
The Lufbra Foundation Course is very good. I struggled with pure maths after completeing the course and used the extra mathematics courses that were offered in the library. After realising I would not be able to cope I changed my degree to from Mech Eng to Materials which was a bit easier on the mathematics front. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff