Automotive Design BA/BSc
Study how vehicles are designed, styled and engineered. Develop creative and technical skills to design cars, motorcycles and future mobility solutions.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Are passionate about cars and design
Enjoy creativity and engineering
Like sketching and modelling
Want a career in automotive design
Are innovative
Popular Career Fields
Automotive Industry
Product & Industrial Design
Engineering & Construction
Manufacturing & Production
Your Personality Might Be:
Vehicle-obsessed
Product & Industrial Design
Technically aware
Innovative creator
What is it?
What Is an Automotive Design Degree?
Automotive Design focuses on the creative and technical processes behind designing vehicles. You will explore sketching, digital modelling, ergonomics, materials and design communication. The course teaches how vehicles are shaped, how users interact with them and how design responds to technological and environmental needs.
Why Study Automotive Design?
This degree suits students who enjoy drawing, digital design, engineering and transport culture. It prepares you for careers in vehicle styling, product design and mobility innovation by combining creativity with real world design thinking.
Course Summary
Study how vehicles are designed, styled and engineered. Develop creative and technical skills to design cars, motorcycles and future mobility solutions.
What you'll study
Most Automotive Design degrees cover:
Vehicle sketching and visual communication
Digital modelling for 2D and 3D design
Clay modelling and physical prototyping
Colour, materials and finishes for vehicle interiors and exteriors
Human factors and ergonomics
Vehicle packaging and proportions
History and culture of automotive design
Sustainable design and future mobility concepts
You can often specialise in areas such as advanced digital modelling, interior design, exterior styling, autonomous vehicle concepts or user experience in transport.
Skills You'll Gain
An Automotive Design degree helps you develop creative, technical and professional skills, including:
Sketching and visual ideation
Digital and physical modelling
Understanding of aerodynamics, packaging and ergonomics
Material knowledge and surface development
Design research and problem solving
Presentation, teamwork and communication
Portfolio development for design studios
Explore Uni Open Days
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
Automotive Design graduates work across the transportation and product design sectors, including:
Car and motorcycle design
Mobility and future transport design
Product and industrial design
Interior and interface design
Model making and visualisation
Sustainable design and innovation
Work Experiences & Placements
Many universities offer:
Industry placements with car manufacturers, design consultancies or mobility companies
Live briefs set by professional automotive designers
Access to workshops, rapid prototyping, VR labs and clay modelling facilities
Collaborative projects with engineering or product design students
These experiences help you understand industry workflows and build professional networks.
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities prefer at least one from Art, Design Technology, Product Design, or Graphics. Maths or Physics may also be beneficial for technical design courses.
Personal Statement Tips
Include vehicle sketches, product designs or 3D work
Show your process from early ideas to refined proposals
Demonstrate understanding of form, proportion and perspective
Reflect on designers, vehicles or mobility concepts that inspire you
What to do Next
Visit open days to explore design studios and workshops
Practise vehicle sketching and digital modelling software
Visit car shows, museums and design exhibitions to observe trends
Explore sustainable transport and future mobility issues to broaden your thinking
Wider Reading
Car Design Yearbook 1: The Definitive Guide to All New Concept and Production Cars Worldwide
Steve Parkhouse & Ian Henry
A visual showcase of contemporary automotive design, helping you understand trends, shapes, proportions, and industry direction.H-Point: The Fundamentals of Car Design & Packaging
Stuart Macey & David Hyde
A respected beginner’s guide explaining key design and packaging principles used in the automotive industry.How to Draw Cars the Hot Wheels Way
Morgan Elmendorf
An accessible drawing book that develops sketching skills, perspective, and visualisation — core to automotive design.Inside the Ferrari Formula 1 Car: The Anatomy of Technology
Anthony Pritchard
A detailed look at the technology and engineering behind high-end automotive design, useful for understanding how form meets performance.