Motorcycle Engineering with Foundation Year (Full-time) (BEng Hons)
Are you excited by high-speed motorcycles and interested in the motorcycle engineering industry? Our Motorcycle Engineering BEng with a foundation year could be the perfect course for you. This degree provides a strong grounding in the mechanical engineering aspects of motorcycles, helping you understand both the basics and advanced technology used in this field.
Starting with the foundation year, you’ll get a broad introduction to core mechanical engineering principles. This year is designed to prepare you for more specialised study, making sure you have the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the main degree programme.
The main part of the course focuses on high-performance racing vehicles, with special attention to their ride and handling requirements. You will learn about powertrain performance and efficiency, which are crucial for motorcycle design. You’ll use industry-standard tools like Computer-Aided Design, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). These tools help you understand and improve the design of motorcycles. We also use Ricardo WAVE engine simulation to study engine performance, giving you practical experience with cutting-edge technology.
The course covers important topics such as advanced engine design, powertrain design, vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and electrical control. You will work on independent and group projects that allow you to apply what you’ve learned to real-world challenges. This practical experience is valuable for preparing you for a career in the automotive and motorcycle sectors.
A unique aspect of our course is the emphasis on environmental considerations. We teach sustainable design and technology, which are increasingly important in today’s world. This includes exploring electric vehicles and their role in the future of transportation.
With state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance, our course helps you become a skilled design engineer. If you’re interested in the latest electric vehicle technology and vehicle dynamics, this degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this exciting field.
The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
We believe in a hands-on approach to learning. Our motorcycle engineering degree blends theory with practical experience, ensuring you gain the skills needed to excel in the motorcycle engineering industry. You’ll work on real-world projects, preparing you for a successful career.
In the first year, you will be introduced to core mechanical engineering principles and design engineering. You’ll learn to use Computer-Aided Design and Data Acquisition tools. This foundation will prepare you for more advanced topics and give you the basic skills needed for practical experience in the field.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
In the second year, you will be introduced to core mechanical engineering principles and design engineering. You’ll learn to use Computer-Aided Design and Data Acquisition tools. This foundation will prepare you for more advanced topics and give you the basic skills needed for practical experience in the field.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
The third year focuses on high-performance motorcycles and their ride and handling requirements. You’ll study vehicle dynamics, powertrain performance and efficiency, and aerodynamics. Advanced simulation tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) will be used to investigate and enhance motorcycle designs.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
In your final year, you’ll delve into specialist areas such as advanced engine design, powertrain design, and electrical control. You will work on independent and group projects, applying your knowledge to real-life Motorcycle applications. The course also covers the environmental aspects of design and technology, preparing you for a broad range of employment opportunities.
Compulsory
(40 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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32 UCAS tariff points 
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e.g. A-levels: E, BTEC: PPP, IB: 24
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Alternative entry routes 
Once you have successfully completed your HNC studies or foundation year, you will be eligible to progress for the remaining years of the bachelor’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including traditional examinations, coursework, practical activities, group and individual presentations, all of which are designed to equip students with the experience and skills needed as they move forward in their studies and their careers.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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It is possible to complete this programme of study without any additional costs.
Students may wish to purchase materials for modules, such as major project but this is not a requirement and will have no bearing on the final grade.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Graduates from this course have found employment throughout the motorcycle industry from specialist component manufacturers though to mainstream motorcycle manufacturers.
Graduates are now working in roles such as engine development and calibration, race engineering support and performance analysis.
The skills developed on the course are transferable to other industries and many students have moved into the wider automotive industry as well.
Our Motorcycle graduates have been employed by:
- ECStar Suzuki
- MarcVDS Honda
- Tech3 Yamaha
- Honda World Endurance
- FTR
- Kalex
- Suter
- Buell
- Triumph
- Norton
- Royal Enfield
and have worked for race teams in MotoGP, Moto2, World SuperSport, British Superbike and Italian Superbike championships to name but a few.
Each year a number of our graduates have also chosen to continue their academic studies to Masters and PhD level.