Mechanical or Motorsport Engineering?
I'd like to know what is the main differences between Motorsport Engineering and Mechanical Engineering?
Where will I be able to work after graduating each of these? What will I study in them?
Which would allow me to achieve more in motorsports? (Does motorsport engineering give me more knowledge or same)?
Universities which offers mechanical engineering (Imperial College London, Bristol, Bath) are higher than those which offers motorsport engineering (Brunel, Oxford Brookes, Coventry), does it really matter?
Where will I be able to work after graduating each of these? What will I study in them?
Which would allow me to achieve more in motorsports? (Does motorsport engineering give me more knowledge or same)?
Universities which offers mechanical engineering (Imperial College London, Bristol, Bath) are higher than those which offers motorsport engineering (Brunel, Oxford Brookes, Coventry), does it really matter?
You would do well to look at the course content for each and compare them. Sometimes they can be very similar. At my university, Coventry, I'm pretty sure only a couple of modules are different between mech and motorsport, and it's basically the "motorsport version" of those modules. For instance, "instrumentation and control" for mechs and "vehicle instrumentation and control" for the motos.
You could feasibly work in any mechanically based industry with either skill. Mechanical may be broader, but you won't be forced to work in motorsport with a motorsport degree and similarly you shouldn't not be able to work in motorsport with a degree in mech. My friend did motorsport and is now a structural engineer with JCB, so there's certainly flexibility.
With regards to which university, well, whichever takes your fancy. Coventry's engineering department is fairly nice, but you need to check them out and see which you like the most. I wouldn't focus purely on which university is "higher" than others. Certain universities have better links with industry than others and employers mostly care about the degree classification you get rather than where. At Coventry we get great connections with industry and there have been McLarens parked outside more than a few times as they come to our uni to provide talks.
You could feasibly work in any mechanically based industry with either skill. Mechanical may be broader, but you won't be forced to work in motorsport with a motorsport degree and similarly you shouldn't not be able to work in motorsport with a degree in mech. My friend did motorsport and is now a structural engineer with JCB, so there's certainly flexibility.
With regards to which university, well, whichever takes your fancy. Coventry's engineering department is fairly nice, but you need to check them out and see which you like the most. I wouldn't focus purely on which university is "higher" than others. Certain universities have better links with industry than others and employers mostly care about the degree classification you get rather than where. At Coventry we get great connections with industry and there have been McLarens parked outside more than a few times as they come to our uni to provide talks.
I would say that doing a motorsport engineering degree only makes sense in the following circumstances
(a) You already have work experience related to motorsport or are confident you can get some
(b) You are absolutely, 100% committed to a career as an engineer in motorsport
(c) You do not intend to apply for a very prestigious mechanical engineering degree (like Imperial's)
My reasoning is that motorsport engineering is only a tiny fraction of the careers available to a mechanical engineer, so you have to be totally committed to that career for it to make sense. I believe motorsport engineering degrees are generally more vocational, so I doubt you will get the same technical knowledge that a more broad engineering degree would give. The reason I raise point (c) is that rigorous mechanical engineering degrees are arguably even better than motorsport engineering for careers in motorsport. For example the McLaren and Mercedes F1 teams hired several people who took part in the Imperial Racing team I was a part of (they obviously didn't see the terrible car we made
).
(a) You already have work experience related to motorsport or are confident you can get some
(b) You are absolutely, 100% committed to a career as an engineer in motorsport
(c) You do not intend to apply for a very prestigious mechanical engineering degree (like Imperial's)
My reasoning is that motorsport engineering is only a tiny fraction of the careers available to a mechanical engineer, so you have to be totally committed to that career for it to make sense. I believe motorsport engineering degrees are generally more vocational, so I doubt you will get the same technical knowledge that a more broad engineering degree would give. The reason I raise point (c) is that rigorous mechanical engineering degrees are arguably even better than motorsport engineering for careers in motorsport. For example the McLaren and Mercedes F1 teams hired several people who took part in the Imperial Racing team I was a part of (they obviously didn't see the terrible car we made
).Thanks!
a) I'm racing kartings since I was 6 (not only racing but also sitting in garage and getting ready for races), also I was in a team in Omtinel 1003km race in 2012 as a mechanic.
b) I'm sure I want to work in motorsport or sport car manufacturing
c) I was intending to apply for prestigious universities, but after I found Motorsport Engineering, I don't know anymore. I believe I should study where I could get the best knowledge, but also to be able to achieve much in my career.
What will I learn in Mechanical Engineering and what in Motorsport?
What will be my job opportunities after graduating each of them?
Also could You tell me top 5 Mechanical Engineering universities in south part of UK (around London) that would give me the best opportunity to work in Motorsport and in which I could participate in Formula Student competition?
a) I'm racing kartings since I was 6 (not only racing but also sitting in garage and getting ready for races), also I was in a team in Omtinel 1003km race in 2012 as a mechanic.
b) I'm sure I want to work in motorsport or sport car manufacturing
c) I was intending to apply for prestigious universities, but after I found Motorsport Engineering, I don't know anymore. I believe I should study where I could get the best knowledge, but also to be able to achieve much in my career.
What will I learn in Mechanical Engineering and what in Motorsport?
What will be my job opportunities after graduating each of them?
Also could You tell me top 5 Mechanical Engineering universities in south part of UK (around London) that would give me the best opportunity to work in Motorsport and in which I could participate in Formula Student competition?
Original post by Kerch
My reasoning is that motorsport engineering is only a tiny fraction of the careers available to a mechanical engineer, so you have to be totally committed to that career for it to make sense. I believe motorsport engineering degrees are generally more vocational, so I doubt you will get the same technical knowledge that a more broad engineering degree would give.
My reasoning is that motorsport engineering is only a tiny fraction of the careers available to a mechanical engineer, so you have to be totally committed to that career for it to make sense. I believe motorsport engineering degrees are generally more vocational, so I doubt you will get the same technical knowledge that a more broad engineering degree would give.
i don't agree with that. They are many companies that hire motorsport engineering students (for instance JCB, Caterpillar etc.) because in essence its just like Eddy said above, the modules tend to be very similar but more geared towards vehicle motorsport but it is still the same technical knowledge acquired. Mechanical would still be the broadest out of the two as Eddy mentioned.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Titas22
Thanks!
a) I'm racing kartings since I was 6 (not only racing but also sitting in garage and getting ready for races), also I was in a team in Omtinel 1003km race in 2012 as a mechanic.
b) I'm sure I want to work in motorsport or sport car manufacturing
c) I was intending to apply for prestigious universities, but after I found Motorsport Engineering, I don't know anymore. I believe I should study where I could get the best knowledge, but also to be able to achieve much in my career.
What will I learn in Mechanical Engineering and what in Motorsport?
What will be my job opportunities after graduating each of them?
Also could You tell me top 5 Mechanical Engineering universities in south part of UK (around London) that would give me the best opportunity to work in Motorsport and in which I could participate in Formula Student competition?
a) I'm racing kartings since I was 6 (not only racing but also sitting in garage and getting ready for races), also I was in a team in Omtinel 1003km race in 2012 as a mechanic.
b) I'm sure I want to work in motorsport or sport car manufacturing
c) I was intending to apply for prestigious universities, but after I found Motorsport Engineering, I don't know anymore. I believe I should study where I could get the best knowledge, but also to be able to achieve much in my career.
What will I learn in Mechanical Engineering and what in Motorsport?
What will be my job opportunities after graduating each of them?
Also could You tell me top 5 Mechanical Engineering universities in south part of UK (around London) that would give me the best opportunity to work in Motorsport and in which I could participate in Formula Student competition?
It sounds like you'd be well suited to motorsport/automotive engineering, and you might enjoy it more than mechanical. I think it depends on how interested you are in the underlying science, even when it's not being applied to motorsport. If the idea of studying the thermodynamics of power plants, jet engines etc. does not interest you any where near as much as automotive applications, then perhaps mechanical engineering is not for you.
The difference between the courses is not too great. In mechanical engineering you would still have the opportunity to specialise in motorsport/automotive applications (i.e formula student), but this specialisation won't usually begin until your third year, whereas in motorsport engineering you will probably take some vehicle design courses in years 1 or 2.
I can't really comment on employability as I haven't been through the job application process, but there are certainly a lot of engineering jobs related to vehicles outside of motorsport (JCB and Caterpillar are two good examples given by a10).
As for your last question, I'd look at Imperial, Bath, Bristol and Southampton in the south. One downside of mech eng is that it's simply more competitive because there are so many applicants, many of which won't even pursue careers in engineering.
Original post by a10
i don't agree with that. They are many companies that hire motorsport engineering students (for instance JCB, Caterpillar etc.) because in essence its just like Eddy said above, the modules tend to be very similar but more geared towards vehicle motorsport but it is still the same technical knowledge acquired. Mechanical would still be the broadest out of the two as Eddy mentioned.
It's not that I don't think there are other careers available to motorsport engineering graduates, but there has to be a good reason to pursue motorsport/automotive engineering instead of mechanical. If someone is undecided about where they'd like to work, then I'd recommend mechanical just because you don't know how you will feel in a few years time and it keeps your options more open.
I'd do mechanical because it'll keep your options open. Or maybe a mechanical with motorsport or automotive degree. Or maybe a straight mechanical bachelors and a motorsport masters. But not a pure automotive degree at the undergrad level.
Original post by Titas22
Which year are your studying know? I think differences between motorsport and mechanical starts at 3rd year, because first two years are almost the same course 
Thanks
Any other opinions?
Thanks Any other opinions?
I'm in the second year. The differences start in this year, but are most defined in the third year.
In my faculty (it was renamed this year, I believe it's now "mechanical, automotive and motorsport") we do core lectures together, but the other modules spread out and different groups will do different work at different times.
In essence there is really only one module in the whole of the three years which stands out as being totally different from the rest though. In general, however, those three courses are highly similar.
Mechanical is great because you get more flexibility for the same work. For instance, my first ever coursework project was on high pressure jet engine turbine blades and motorsport students would tend to stick with what they knew and made their degree more vehicle oriented. At least at Coventry, you tend to define your own study path and quite often get to choose which projects you do (not modules in year 1 and 2, just projects within them). I force myself to try something completely different each time that comes up just to stay broad. Motorsport and automotive students, by choice, tend to focus more on vehicles as I guess turbine blades aren't really their main focus as a career.
Hi all,
My name is Joe and I am a first year undergraduate student at the University of Bath studying Mechanical Engineering.
Although I cannot speak for every university, at Bath the courses for Mechanical and Automotive engineering are exactly the same for the first two years.
It is then in the third year you can select which modules you want to concentrate your degree on (we have 5 options: aerospace, automotive, mechanical, advanced design & innovation, and manufacturing & management).
Although, when applying on UCAS you may apply for Aerospace engineering, as the first 2 years are the same, you can still change to one of the other options if you decide you no longer want to study aerospace.
This is the case for all of the options, they are flexible until you make your decision at the end of the second year. This means that you get more time to decide what it is you would actually enjoy doing.
Also Bath University takes huge pride in its success in Formula Student and students in third and fourth years get the opportunity to base their projects around improving the car for that years competition. Our funding for the competition is provided by BP which shows that we are seen as a top UK competitor in Formula Student.
The team, as well as competing in the UK, have also in the past taken the car over to California to compete in a Formula Student competition over there too. There are many fantastic motorsport opportunities at Bath University!
With regards to career prospects available for each of the different courses look at the published PDF files of graduates from the last 3 years current jobs.
If you have any questions on the course at Bath please feel free to quote me.
Joe
My name is Joe and I am a first year undergraduate student at the University of Bath studying Mechanical Engineering.
Although I cannot speak for every university, at Bath the courses for Mechanical and Automotive engineering are exactly the same for the first two years.
It is then in the third year you can select which modules you want to concentrate your degree on (we have 5 options: aerospace, automotive, mechanical, advanced design & innovation, and manufacturing & management).
Although, when applying on UCAS you may apply for Aerospace engineering, as the first 2 years are the same, you can still change to one of the other options if you decide you no longer want to study aerospace.
This is the case for all of the options, they are flexible until you make your decision at the end of the second year. This means that you get more time to decide what it is you would actually enjoy doing.
Also Bath University takes huge pride in its success in Formula Student and students in third and fourth years get the opportunity to base their projects around improving the car for that years competition. Our funding for the competition is provided by BP which shows that we are seen as a top UK competitor in Formula Student.
The team, as well as competing in the UK, have also in the past taken the car over to California to compete in a Formula Student competition over there too. There are many fantastic motorsport opportunities at Bath University!
With regards to career prospects available for each of the different courses look at the published PDF files of graduates from the last 3 years current jobs.
If you have any questions on the course at Bath please feel free to quote me.
Joe
(edited 10 years ago)
Whatever it is you do, I recommend you get involved with Formula Student, as it's a good hands on experience to get involved early with regulations, teamwork to build a car to compete and race in worldwide competitions. (The rules allow so much flexibility in design and innovation).
Yes, I believe you'll learn about that perhaps in fluid mechanics (need confirming). Also check the uni course for later years modules regarding such things.
Original post by Titas22
Oh, is it possible to study mechanical engineering and also learn some aerodynamics? 
Yes, I believe you'll learn about that perhaps in fluid mechanics (need confirming). Also check the uni course for later years modules regarding such things.
(edited 10 years ago)
Do not do motorsport beng at huddersfield you will be disappointed you do not touch a car in 3 years and the halls are miles away from any where rooms **** it like they have no money and the area is terrible you will need are car Leeds is the nearest city witch is 45 mins a really regret going
How about formula e and volunteering in local tracks ?
Original post by TheGrinningSkull
Whatever it is you do, I recommend you get involved with Formula Student, as it's a good hands on experience to get involved early with regulations, teamwork to build a car to compete and race in worldwide competitions. (The rules allow so much flexibility in design and innovation).
Yes, I believe you'll learn about that perhaps in fluid mechanics (need confirming). Also check the uni course for later years modules regarding such things.
Yes, I believe you'll learn about that perhaps in fluid mechanics (need confirming). Also check the uni course for later years modules regarding such things.
I have three options right now
1. Oxford brooks ... Motorsports
2. Sheffield..............Aerodynamics
3. Cranfield ............. Aerodynamics
As I am a mechanical undergrad student. Motorsports is my first go as far as fee and modules go, but as far as I know modules are flexible in Cranfield and have much higher industrial connections. While Sheffield is among top ranks among bath Leeds and Bristol in terms of mechanical field.
Pretty confused.
1. Oxford brooks ... Motorsports
2. Sheffield..............Aerodynamics
3. Cranfield ............. Aerodynamics
As I am a mechanical undergrad student. Motorsports is my first go as far as fee and modules go, but as far as I know modules are flexible in Cranfield and have much higher industrial connections. While Sheffield is among top ranks among bath Leeds and Bristol in terms of mechanical field.
Pretty confused.
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