Future Vehicle Technologies (including Professional Practice) MSc

The course was created to prepare the engineering professionals demanded to lead the transition process to hybrids, pure electric, autonomous and connected vehicles and develop the prospective related technologies.

It aims to provide automotive engineers and recent engineering graduates with multidisciplinary fundamental knowledge, awareness of breakthrough advancements and the necessary skills to attend the requirements of the modern electrified automotive industry.

The skills gaps addressed include a complete understanding of hybrid and electric powertrains, connected vehicles and autonomous driving, design of electric drives, low-carbon engines and fuels, and multiphysics modelling of automotive systems using advanced computational tools.

What You'll Learn

The course is tailored to the needs of the automotive and energy industries, to attain the low carbon technologies that will shape future mobility. The students will access a well-suited programme of unmatched characteristics, featuring an original blend of multidisciplinary content delivered by a large team of specialists in each individual topic.

Modules

Core modules

• Hybrid and Electric Powertrains 

Design and optimise electrified powertrains using major concepts in mathematics and powertrain engineering
Recommend the computational approaches and tools that can be used to design modern electrified powertrains and the optimal subsystem integration (e.g. drives, transmission, storage, energy harnessers, etc)
Modify the powertrain design in order to meet the industry standard, user requirements and the environmental regulations
Collaborate with other disciplines related to powertrain design in order to develop solutions usable with wide range of vehicles

• Multiphysics System Design 

Evaluate the data informed by a predefined constrained case study, propose a sustainable impactful solution and communicate the proposed solution to a wider audience
Plan independently and select appropriate techniques and methodologies to develop creative solutions to predefined problems in the automotive industry considering business and end-user needs
Originate a design for a vehicle component or subsystem underpinned by engineering principles and utilising engineering computational tools
Work effectively with other disciplines, exchange the knowledge with others and share the best engineering practice

• New Engines and Alternative Fuels 

Distinguish new engine technologies, boosting methods, energy recovery systems and their utilisation in low-emission vehicles
Evaluate the data informed by state-of-the-art research directly related to advanced technologies in engines and fuels
Produce solutions using computational tools to design and integrate different energy recovery systems in low-emission vehicles
Recommend adequate types of renewable fuels for different applications and their implications on the overall engine performance and emission from knowledge exchange in group work

• Vehicle Automation and Connectivity 

Demonstrate the general knowledge of communication, machine learning and cybersecurity
Evaluate the state-of-the-art technologies in autonomous vehicle communication and machine learning
Critique the open literature to assess the available technologies and its suitability for future vehicles considering business and end-user needs
Work in a team towards proposing solutions to address the challenges of implementing the new technologies in future vehicles and communicate their idea to a wide audience
Evaluate the challenges of implementing the new technologies in power electronics and electric drives in future vehicles considering the industry standards and environmental regulations

• Power Electronics and Electric Drives 

Demonstrate the core knowledge in power electronics and electric drives within the context of electric vehicles
Recognise future technologies in power electronics and electric drives that lead to vehicle electrification
Judge the available technologies and its suitability for future vehicles with the aid of computational tools

• Research Methods (c)

Apply creative and strategic thinking, identify a problem relevant to the degree programme and make independent judgments about approaches and solutions, adopt a structured approach to problem solving and project development
Develop awareness of current trends and challenges within chosen field of project gaining in-depth knowledge of science, technology and state of the art and acquiring practical insights through hands-on experimentation and interaction with experts, specialised equipment, and potential users
Create evidence of the research and problem investigation for professional or academic purposes
Carry out independent research, managing time and resources effectively while evaluating project risks

• Dissertation (c)

Develop a research hypothesis drawn from comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art technological advances to develop a sustainable solution for an emerging challenge in modern automotive industry
Observe and analyse the data generated to draw applicable recommendations in the field of study
Communicate the research findings to a wide circle of audience from different backgrounds (e.g. engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs)

 

Optional modules

Select one module from the below:

• Fluid and Structure Interaction
• Sensors and Control Systems 
• Machine Learning 

• A 2.2 in a first degree (BEng) in engineering.
• ELTS 6.0 overall and minimum 5.5 in each area

Ideally, applicants should have a background in: automotive engineering, chemical engineering, control and systems engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering.

The programme will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments.

Taking the Professional Practice route allows you to extend the duration of your Masters to 22 months and gain valuable working experience to support your career aspirations. The placement commences after completion of your MSc dissertation and can be paid work. study abroad exchanges or unpaid research projects or even a mix of these options. You will return to Aston the following May for an intensive period on campus to draw all your learning together and finalise the assessments.

Although you are responsible for finding your placement, you will have access to the support of our award-winning Careers and Placements Team, who have helped so many of our students to secure placement and work opportunities, including by providing CV and application preparation, and practice interviews. In addition, you will participate in a programme of activities within the School designed to develop your personal and professional skills such as industry seminars and networking activities. Opportunities for one-to-one coaching and mentoring will also support your learning journey and help you become more work-ready.

Take a look at our specific placement information and support.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

UK postgraduate loans available 

If you’re starting a masters course on or after 1 August 2022, you can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. Find out more.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our UK student scholarships here. Find out more about our international student scholarships here.

Cost shouldn't limit your career aspirations, which is why we are delighted to offer all Aston University graduates (including exchange students) a 20% loyalty scholarship in standard taught MA, MSc and Full-time MBA course fees. As an Aston University graduate, you will automatically qualify. For more information visit our webpage.

Programme directory:

• Dr Ahmed Rezk (Director)
• Dr Muhamad Imran (Deputy Director)

Modules leaders

• Dr Ricardo Sodré
• Prof Wen-Ping Cao
• Dr Brian Price
• Dr Ahmed Rezk
• Dr Gregory Swadener
• Dr Muhammad Azmat

Why study Future Vehicle Technologies at Aston?

The MSc programme will enable you to update and acquire new expertise required to face the challenges of vehicle electrification and road decarbonisation. You will gain a wide range of skills and acquaintance with hybrid and electric vehicles, autonomous driving, low-carbon engines and fuels, multiphysics design of automotive systems, and more.

What will I be doing on the Future Vehicle Technologies course at Aston?

You'll be provided with fundamental knowledge, awareness of breakthrough advancements and the necessary skills to attend the requirements of the modern electrified automotive industry.

You’ll access a well-suited programme of unmatched characteristics, featuring an original blend of multidisciplinary content delivered by a large team of specialists in each individual topic. .