Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (MSc) (2025 Entry)
Find out more about our Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles taught Master's degree at Warwick
WMG at Warwick has established a legacy of leading automotive research in collaboration with industry. Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles MSc aims to address the knowledge gap in machine learning, automated control strategies, connectivity, cyber-security protocols and much more.
Course overview
With intelligent vehicles on the horizon of technical advancements, the automotive industry is facing a developmental challenge. How do we develop a robust technical infrastructure to support the anticipated explosive growth in smart vehicular functions, communications systems, and driverless cars? This demands a comprehensive understanding of the technology and a bottom-up approach ensuring robustness and dependability of Electronics, Communications and Control Systems.
Through this MSc, we aim to address the knowledge gap in the areas of machine learning, automated control strategies, connectivity, and communication infrastructure, cyber-security protocols, emerging automotive networks and robust automotive embedded systems within the context of smart, connected and autonomous vehicles. Our unique experimental facilities on campus, including the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC), enable academic and industry practitioners to work together to overcome key, strategic challenges in the automotive sector and develop future vehicles and mobility solutions.
This programme has extensive industrial support with the Industry Advisory Board consisting of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and RDM and other industrial stakeholders. The course receives project and teaching support from a number of additional companies including: ON semiconductor, National Instruments, AVL, IPG Automotive, Lumerical, Shell, CRA Risk Analysis, Konrad Technologies and Jaguar Land Rover. The industry input helps to ensure that the course remains closely aligned with the needs and requirements of the sector, including the skills and knowledge that our graduates need to succeed in their careers.
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in STEM subjects, particularly Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Computer Science, Communications, Physics, or Mathematics.
Candidates with a UK 2:2 (or equivalent) may be accepted upon demonstration of relevant professional experience.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.
Core modules
Core modules are required modules that all students will complete whilst on this programme. For Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (SCAV), your core modules are:
- Fundamentals of Automotive Research, Development, and Management
- Automotive Sensors and Sensor Fusion
- Robust Automotive Embedded Systems
- Networks and Communications for the Connected Car
- Machine Intelligence and Data Science
- Human-Technology Interaction
Optional modules
Alongside your core modules you should select an additional elective module enabling you to gain further specialist understanding. Options will be made available at the beginning of the academic year and will include modules such as:
- Programming and Fundamental Algorithms
- Automated Systems and Control
Learn more about this course on the WMG website
Teaching
This course has two components – taught modules account for two thirds of your time and effort and your research project accounts for one third.
For the taught component, we blend lectures with workshops, practical exercises, demonstrations, case studies, problem classes, syndicate exercises, and a review. Modules are delivered in small classes to facilitate and encourage interaction.
Our module leaders have extensive industry experience. Guest speakers from industry also contribute regularly, bringing real-world insight into your learning experience.
In addition to your taught modules, you will undertake a major project as part of your Master's degree, which will develop your research and analytical skills and enable you to specialise. This is nominally 600 hours (60 CATS points) of learning, mainly taking place during the Spring and Summer terms. You will be expected to engage regularly with your Project Supervisor and to provide progress updates and drafts of your work to an agreed schedule.
Class sizes
This course can accommodate around 25 students.
Typical contact hours
Module delivery patterns vary, but most will be delivered in a short learning block of up to 4 weeks, allowing your focus to be on one module at a time. Each module nominally accounts for 150 hours, which includes scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments.
WMG runs a SPA module (Study, Professional and Analytical Skills) designed to meet the complex learning and professional needs of postgraduate students. This is a blended module delivered throughout the year alongside your modules. Whilst it is an unaccredited module for SCAV students, your participation in the lectures, workshops and online sessions is strongly encouraged. There may be occasions where you will be required to attend evening or weekend sessions.
Assessment
The course uses a variety of assessment methods across modules. These may include technical presentations, and labs, reports (both topic based and reflective), essays, critical evaluation case studies, simulations, online tests, and video presentations.
Assessments have been designed not only to assess your achievement in meeting the course learning outcomes in an academically sound manner, but also contribute to preparing you with the requisite competencies required for employment.
For the research component, you will undertake a major project. Leveraging the close partnerships that WMG has with key organisations within the automotive supply chain, it is envisaged that your project will have an industrial sponsor, enabling you to work in close collaboration with an industry partner. This valuable experience will further your transferrable skills development, and expand your networking opportunities and understanding in a professional research and development environment. Project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, accounting for 33% of your overall academic grade.
Reading lists
If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.
You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.
Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.
Your timetable
Core modules will be allocated to students at the end of the first week of term - you will then be able to view your individual module schedule for the rest of the year via the WMG module selection system.
Your elective module will be bookable through the same system later in the term.
Modules will include scheduled classroom time and online sessions as well as your independent study and assessments, and will usually be delivered within a 4 week timeframe. Occasional classes and study skills sessions may be held at weekends or in the evenings.
As a Master's student, you are expected to manage your own time appropriately. On average, you are expected to commit 38-40 hours of study each week, in order to successfully achieve your Master’s degree.
This is a full-time postgraduate course - undergraduate term dates do not apply. Whilst there are no holidays as such, there will be no teaching scheduled when the University is officially closed for staff, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Your career
Graduates from the MSc in Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles will understand a myriad of factors contributing towards the performance and dependability of connected and autonomous vehicles and will be well placed to continue professional work within R&D.
Helping you find the right career
Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:
- Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
- WMG Future Fest
- Options in Engineering sector event
- Careers for Experienced Hires
- Careers in Cyber Security
- Careers in the Automotive Sector
- Careers in Project Management
WMG at Warwick
As one of the largest departments at Warwick, WMG (originally Warwick Manufacturing Group), is a multidisciplinary department delivering a unique combination of world-class education with real business and industry application.
Our industry relevant management and technical education, and highly impactful applied research, have positioned WMG as a leading international role model for successful partnership between academia and industry. Having forged strong links with local, national, and global companies through 45 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in and have designed our programmes to match.
Our expansive expertise includes artificial intelligence, automation systems, cyber security, data science, engineering management, design, supply chains, healthcare systems, sustainability, energy applications, materials, manufacturing, and visualisation to name but a few.
Find out more about our full-time Master's coursesLink opens in a new window, find out more about our part-time programmesLink opens in a new window, and learn more about the WMG department.Link opens in a new window
Our courses
- Applied Artificial Intelligence (MSc)
- Cyber Security Engineering (MSc)
- Cyber Security Management (MSc)
- Digital Transformation for Healthcare (MSc)
- e-Business Management (MSc)
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- Engineering Design Management (MSc)
- Games Engineering (MSc)
- Healthcare Operational Management (MSc)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc)
- International Trade, Strategy and Operations (MSc)
- Management for Business Excellence (MSc)
- Programme and Project Management (MSc)
- Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (MSc)
- Supply Chain and Logistics Management (MSc)
- Sustainable Automotive Electrification (MSc)
Our part-time courses for working professionals
Our Postgraduate Research degrees
Visiting WMG
There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. WMG also organises events and information sessions for prospective students including 1-1 bookable appointments, departmental open days, and independent visits so you can connect directly with the departmentLink opens in a new window and speak with staff and students from WMG. For more about university wide open days and tours, visit our Postgraduate Visits page.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits *
- Dissertation binding *
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
* - Dissertations and Assignments are only submitted digitally. However students may wish to print and bind their dissertation for their own purposes. Students on some courses will have a final poster presentation as part of their project and the printing of posters will be at the students’ expense.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Department specific funding and support
WMG MSc Funding Opportunities
WMG award over £1.5million in scholarships and bursaries each year to students commencing study across our portfolio of full-time MSc programmes. More information about our MSc Scholarships.
WMG Research Degree Opportunities
We have a number of research projects available which are fully or partially funded. The majority of these are for UK/EU applicants, though occasionally we advertise positions that are also open to overseas applicants. Please refer to specific project descriptions for details
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 will open on 2 October 2024.
Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
How to apply for a full-time postgraduate taught course in WMG
Please note, places are often limited, so we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible. Please check our department webpages for more specific information.
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Connect directly with the WMG department
For more detailed advice on the courses offered in WMG, to book a 1-1 appointment or visit with the WMG team, or for any course specific queries, you can connect directly with the recruitment team in WMG.
Explore ways to connect with us
We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:
- Warwick hosted events
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- Talk and Tours
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