Automotive Engineering

Automotive engineers are versatile professionals with specific engineering skills relevant to the automotive trade. They are involved in designing, testing, managing, producing and maintaining vehicles. Automotive engineers constantly make decisions based on the combination of technology, commerce and business considerations. This sets them apart from business professionals as well as from the mechanical engineer since they have a broad knowledge of the product (the vehicle) and are the linking pin between a wide range of disciplines.

Studying Automotive Engineering

The first two years of the course give you a solid foundation in all the disciplines within automotive engineering. This way you discover where your interests and talents lie, so you can make choices about specialising later on in the course in Test Engineering or Development Engineering. Besides automotive and technical subjects, you also learn the ins and outs of management, communication and energy conservation. These topics are always approached in the context of projects, so you can immediately apply your knowledge in practice.

In your 3rd year you do a work placement at an internationally oriented company, preferably outside the Netherlands. This exposes you to new information and working practices in your field of study. Before you start, you are coached on all aspects of the work placement during a preparation programme. Of course you are free to choose your own work placement. You could go to one of our partners in the Netherlands, for example DAF or VDL. Or what about spreading your wings and going abroad, to a company like BMW or Delphi? At HAN we encourage you to choose the path that’s right for you.

The 4th and final year of your studies begins with a minor programme for one semester. This allows you to deepen or broaden your knowledge in a particular aspect of automotive engineering. If you prefer to stay in the Netherlands, you could follow one of the excellent minors offered by HAN Automotive Institute: Light Weight, Autotronics, Internal Combustion Engines or Intelligent Vehicles. Another option is to follow a minor at another university in the Netherlands or abroad, or follow a bridging programme to prepare you for a Masters course.

Modules and Courses during your studies

• Introduction to Automotive Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanics
• Vehicle Dynamics
• Engine Technology
• Electronic and Embedded Systems
• On-board Diagnosis
• Commerce and Marketing
• Communication Skills

• Control Systems Engineering
• Electrical Systems
• Mechanics
• Dynamics
• Strength of Materials
• Production
• Marketing and Communication

• Work Placement
• Specialisation: Test Engineering or Development Engineering

• Minor
• Graduation Assignment

Job and Career prospects

As an Automotive Engineer you can work for a wide range of businesses, institutes and agencies. You could be active in the research and development, manufacturing or sales of products associated with automobiles or transport. The course organises an annual career day, where over 40 companies are present to give information on work placements, graduation projects and jobs.

Our graduates get jobs as:

• Vehicle Development Engineer
• Engine Development Engineer
• Vehicle Test Engineer
• Engine Test Engineer

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