How to become an automotive engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree, before joining a company graduate training scheme.
Relevant subjects include:
- mechanical engineering
- electrical or electronic engineering
- design engineering
- manufacturing engineering
- automotive engineering
A course with a work placement or an internship will be especially useful.
Some car manufacturing companies offer undergraduate year in industry placements that give you the chance to develop industry skills and earn a salary.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
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Apprenticeship
You could do a degree apprenticeship and combine learning in the workplace with doing an engineering degree at an approved university.
Relevant degree apprenticeships include:
- Manufacturing engineer
- Product design and development engineer
If you already have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subject, you may be able to do a Level 7 postgraduate engineer apprenticeship.
Applications with automotive engineering companies are competitive and usually open at set times of the year.
Check company websites regularly for application deadline information.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
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Further information
You can find out more about careers in the automotive industry through: