Motorsport, automotive or mechanical engineering

3

Hey all, I have received offers for mechanical engineering at university of Liverpool and queens uni Belfast, Automotive at Leeds and motorsport engineering at Oxford Brooke’s. I would like advice on which choice people would recommend. I am really keen on working in the motorsports industry but I’m worried that if I weren’t to get into motorsport that my job options could be limited because of the niche course. Could anyone give me advice please and thanks

Reply 1

mike23mike

16

Think also about spending 3-4 years in that city and how that would feel. Liverpool is very different from Belfast or Leeds. Have you attended the open days to get a feel?

The car industry is not going to disappear so you are safe whichever programme you choose. I personally would recommend Leeds. I studied at Liverpool Uni and now live in Leeds. Its a very student-centric city with lots of unis there (Leeds, Leeds-Becket, Leeds Trinity, Leeds Arts University etc). The place is buzzing. You will enjoy 3 years there.

Reply 2

Conormch

OP

3

Original post

by mike23mike

Think also about spending 3-4 years in that city and how that would feel. Liverpool is very different from Belfast or Leeds. Have you attended the open days to get a feel?
The car industry is not going to disappear so you are safe whichever programme you choose. I personally would recommend Leeds. I studied at Liverpool Uni and now live in Leeds. Its a very student-centric city with lots of unis there (Leeds, Leeds-Becket, Leeds Trinity, Leeds Arts University etc). The place is buzzing. You will enjoy 3 years there.

Thank you for the advice

Reply 3

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Conormch

Hey all, I have received offers for mechanical engineering at university of Liverpool and queens uni Belfast, Automotive at Leeds and motorsport engineering at Oxford Brooke’s. I would like advice on which choice people would recommend. I am really keen on working in the motorsports industry but I’m worried that if I weren’t to get into motorsport that my job options could be limited because of the niche course. Could anyone give me advice please and thanks

Motorsports is a niche of mechanical engineering, so on your cv when applying for jobs outside of motorsports you can simply use the term MEng Mechanical Engineering (Motorsport Stream) or something like this.

Additionally employers are really not looking to split hairs on a degree title they are looking for the best person for their team. Pick the best course for you, i wouldn’t worry about which permutation of what will be fundamentally a mechanical engineering degree.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 4

Conormch

OP

3

Original post

by mnot

Motorsports is a niche of mechanical engineering, so on your cv when applying for jobs outside of motorsports you can simply use the term MEng Mechanical Engineering (Motorsport Stream) or something like this.
Additionally employers are really not looking to split hairs on a degree title they are looking for the best person for their team. Pick the best course for you, i wouldn’t worry about which permutation of what will be fundamentally a mechanical engineering degree.

That’s good to know thanks!

Reply 5

OxfordBrookesDan

Official Rep

5

Original post

by Conormch

Hey all, I have received offers for mechanical engineering at university of Liverpool and queens uni Belfast, Automotive at Leeds and motorsport engineering at Oxford Brooke’s. I would like advice on which choice people would recommend. I am really keen on working in the motorsports industry but I’m worried that if I weren’t to get into motorsport that my job options could be limited because of the niche course. Could anyone give me advice please and thanks

Hi!

Congrats on your offers, that’s a great set of choices!

I’m a current student at Oxford Brookes University, so I can mainly speak from that perspective. One thing I’d say straight away is that Motorsport Engineering at Brookes is much broader than it sounds on paper. While it’s obviously very motorsport-focused (which is a huge plus if that’s your goal), the skills you gain aren’t niche in a limiting way. The course covers core mechanical engineering fundamentals such as vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, materials, structures, data analysis, CAD, and simulation. These skills are highly transferable to automotive, aerospace, and general mechanical engineering roles.

Brookes also has a strong reputation within the motorsport and automotive industries, largely due to its location and long-standing links with teams and companies. Many lecturers have direct industry experience, and students regularly secure placements, internships, and graduate roles both inside and outside motorsport. Even if you decided later that motorsport wasn’t for you, graduates go on to work in areas like automotive design, EVs, consultancy, and wider engineering roles. Another advantage is the hands-on, applied nature of the course. You’re not just learning theory, you’re constantly applying it to real engineering problems, which employers really value. There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular projects and Formula Student-style activities, which can make a huge difference when applying for jobs. We also have the new buildings open on the Headington Hill Site, including the new Workshop and teaching spaces used by Motorsport Engineering students. These were designed to be inspiring and innovative buildings to foster connections and collaborations with local industries and the wider community, so it is certainly worth a look around!

That said, all of your offers are from solid universities, so it really comes down to what excites you most. If motorsport is genuinely what you want to aim for, Oxford Brookes is one of the strongest choices in the UK for that pathway. If you do firm Brookes, I’d really recommend attending an Offer Holder Day or Open Day if you haven’t already, as it gives a great feel for the course, facilities, and student life.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your decision!

Motorsport, automotive or mechanical engineering

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