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Sustainable Automotive Electrification (MSc) (2024 Entry)

Sustainable Automotive Electrification students at the University of Warwick

Explore our Sustainable Automotive Electrification taught Master's degree.

Sustainable Automotive Electrification MSc is designed for engineering or other STEM graduates with an interest in automotive innovation. The course is ideally suited to those aspiring to become research managers and technology leaders within the strategically important areas of vehicle electrification and sustainability.


Course overview

Through this course, you will develop the skills to design and evaluate the next generation of automotive products that have a lower environmental impact than conventional vehicles.  

Within the context of environmental legislation and consumer expectations for vehicle quality, reliability, and performance, you will learn to assess the different technology options and methods for design, system integration, and verification that will drive the market introduction of new energy efficient vehicles. Working within WMG’s state-of-the-art facilities, you will gain from the latest innovations in research and technology management that are prerequisite for career progression within the international automotive industry.  

This course is designed to be 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 Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.

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 Sustainable Automotive Electrification (SAE), your core modules are:

  • Automotive Research, Strategy and Environment
  • Automotive Hybridisation and Electrification
  • Energy Storage Systems
  • Electric Drivetrains
  • Systems Engineering and Functional Safety
  • Modelling and Simulation of Systems

Optional modules

Alongside your core modules you should select two additional elective modules. Options will be made available at the beginning of the academic year and will include modules such as:

  • Battery Electrochemistry, Design and Manufacture
  • Power Electronics and Converters Design and Manufacture
  • Electric Machine Design and Manufacture
  • Smart, Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Fundamentals

Read the module descriptions for this course on WMG's website.Link opens in a new window


Teaching

This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two thirds of your time and effort, and a research component accounting for one-third.

For the taught component, we blend synchronous and asynchronous lectures with workshops, practical exercises, demonstrations, case studies, problem classes, syndicate exercises, and a review. aClass sizes are kept small with 20-25 students in each, 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

The typical intake for this course is around 48 students, divided into two groups of 24 students for most modules.


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 SAE 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

Modules are predominantly assessed by way of written Post Module Assignments (PMA), but assessment can also be in other formats. Most modules will also have a degree of In-Module Assessment (IMA), which will vary by module and may take the form of presentations, on-line tests, self-reflection or a range of other methods.

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 and be closely aligned with overcoming a real-world problem in the areas of vehicle electrification and sustainability. Many of the projects will feed directly into larger research programmes and will require you to liaise directly with senior academics, researchers, and industry partners.

Project submission is likely to include both a written and a presentation element, accounting for 33% of your overall academic grade.


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.

Elective modules 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, during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Your career

Graduates from the MSc in Sustainable Automotive Electrification can expect to take a leadership role with a vehicle manufacturer or specialist supplier. We would expect you to become a research manager or technology leader within the strategically important areas of vehicle electrification and sustainability.

You will have gained the management skills, technical awareness, and vision to assess different technology options within the context of environmental legislation and consumer expectations for vehicle quality, reliability, and performance.


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 healthcare
  • Careers in project management

WMG at Warwick

Having forged strong links with global companies through 42 years of collaborative research and development, we really understand the global market you’ll be operating in, and have designed our programmes to match.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window


Our courses

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 for prospective students including a weekly Live Chat so you can connect directly with the department to 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.

Find your course fees  


Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, there may be general associated costs such as:

  • 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.

WMG Excellence Scholarships

WMG funding opportunities

WMG will be awarding over £1million in scholarships and bursaries to students commencing study on our full-time MSc programmes

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Additional funding information

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. See our Research Degree opportunities here.

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 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 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 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.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.

Postgraduate Fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Live chats

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.