Automotive Engineering
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
UCAS Code: 043H | Higher National Diploma - HND
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
UCAS Code: 043H | Higher National Diploma - HND
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Grades are important; however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to their chosen subject area and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course we normally arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your qualifications.
About this course
The next decade promises transformative changes in the automotive industry, transitioning from traditional internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric powertrains. This shift creates a growing demand for new engineering skills, which our Automotive Engineering HND seeks to respond to.
Our programme features significant investments in advanced engineering facilities, providing students with access to specialised automotive workshops, engine diagnostic labs, chassis dynamometers, hybrid/electric powertrain facilities, and extensive fabrication and machining resources. These state-of-the-art facilities support a hands-on learning experience, essential for understanding and applying the principles of automotive engineering.
We maintain close collaboration with industry partners, ensuring that our curriculum remains relevant and that students gain the necessary knowledge and passion for both performance and mainstream automotive sectors. The course focuses on core areas such as vehicle dynamics, suspension, ride, handling, and Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH). Special emphasis is placed on powertrain development, particularly as the industry moves towards sustainable fuels and advanced battery technologies.
Additionally, the programme highlights the environmental considerations in automotive design and technology, preparing students for a diverse range of career opportunities. Through practical applications and extracurricular activities, students can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world automotive challenges.
While not exclusively focused on autonomous vehicles, the course provides insights into the latest automotive trends, including the development of cleaner, more efficient vehicles. Graduates of this programme will be well-prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry, equipped with the skills and knowledge to become modern automotive engineers.
Modules
In the first year, you will build a strong foundation in essential engineering principles. You will study analytical methods, engineering science, and an introduction to vehicle technology. Hands-on experience in our automotive workshops and engine diagnostic laboratories will complement your theoretical learning.
Compulsory
Analytical Methods (20 credits)
Engineering Design & Materials (20 credits)
Engineering Science (20 credits)
Vehicle Technology (20 credits)
Electrical Control Systems (20 credits)
Workshop & Practice (20 credits)
The second year focuses on advanced topics such as alternative propulsion systems, automotive chassis systems, and stress analysis and computer aided engineering (CAE). You will also delve into thermodynamics and combustion, enhancing your understanding of sustainable technologies. Practical sessions with chassis dynamometers and fabrication facilities will further develop your engineering skills.
Compulsory
Alternative Propulsion Systems (20 credits)
Thermodynamics & Combustion (20 credits)
Engineering Management (20 credits)
Automotive Chassis Systems (20 credits)
Group Design Project (20 credits)
Stress Analysis & CAE (20 credits)
Assessment methods
The course is assessed by a mixture of coursework, phase tests, presentations, vivas and examinations.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
SA1 Waterfront Campus, Swansea
Engineering
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Production and manufacturing engineering
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Production and manufacturing engineering
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Graduates are in significant demand, so unemployment rates are well below the national graduate average and starting salaries are well above average. Much the most common industries for these graduates are now vehicle manufacture - there are not enough people with these degrees to go round and so the big employers tend to take the lion's share at the moment. But pretty much anywhere there is manufacturing, there are production engineers. Bear in mind that a lot of courses are four years long, and lead to an MEng qualification — this is necessary if you want to become a Chartered Engineer.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Production and manufacturing engineering
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£33k
£38k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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