The Basics of Automotive Engineering

a) What Is Automotive Engineering?

Automotive Engineering is a division of automobile engineering with its studies focused on the design, manufacture and operation of automobiles like motorcycles, buses, trucks and cars with elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering incorporated into it.

Automotive engineers work in every area of the industry, from the design and feel of current cars to the security and safety of any new forms of transport.

Making a car go as fast as a Bugatti but having the fuel efficiency of Toyota Prius may seem like an impossible feat but that’s the kind of problems automotive engineers face every day.

b) What Are the Various Fields of Automotive Engineering?

These are some of the main fields covered in an Automotive Engineering course:

Automotive Design	This field involves learning how to design new products and improving existing ones.
Automotive R&D	In the world of Automotive Engineering, you will be faced with millions of problems and you will be taught how to find solutions to engineering problems.
Automotive Production	Some automobiles are built by hand while some by robots. As an automotive engineer you will also be educated in production processes to help smoothen the process while delivering cost savings to consumers.
Automotive Technology	We’re living in a fast paced world with new technologies being innovated every day. In this field you will learn how to incorporate and innovate technology that will be relevant and useful for automobiles.

Many of the fields that you will learn are designed to expose you to the various fields in this industry and as you progress you will learn more and more about the industry to help you become a successful automotive engineer when you finish your course. Unfortunately, there is no field in building Transformers or spy cars laced with various gadgets.

Studying an Automotive Engineering Course

a) Entry Requirements & Qualifications

(i) Diploma in Automotive Engineering

Minimum of 3 credits including Mathematics and a Science subject

(ii) Degree in Automotive Engineering

A-Level: Minimum of 2 principal passes
STPM: Minimum CGPA 2.0
Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 50
Canadian Pre-U: At least an average of 50%

Entry requirements may vary depending on the institution, so make sure you do your research before you decide which institution to study at!

Instead of doing a degree, you could also choose to do a Diploma right after SPM. That way you won’t need to take a Pre-University programme just to do an automotive engineering course. Entry requirements for a Diploma is typically 3 credits at SPM level.

b) How Does Your Education Pathway Look Like?

Automotive Engineering degrees are generally 3-4 years long.

However if you decide to do a Diploma instead, it is usually 2 to 2.5 years long. Upon successful completion of your Diploma, you can choose to either start working, or enter directly into Year 2 of a Degree in Automotive Engineering.

c) What Will You Study in Automotive Engineering?

Automotive Engineering courses are usually tailored to provide you with a wide range of industry-related knowledge. Upon successful completion, you will be ready to enter the industry and immediately apply your skill set that you’ve learned.

In the first year, you will typically learn about the basics of automobiles and be taught some basic science subjects such as:

Introduction to Automotive Technology
Engine Mechanical
Chassis Systems
Engine Systems
Automotive Electrical Systems
Steering Systems
Chemistry 1
Physics 1
Engineering Drawing

In your second and third year, you will be given lessons on more in-depth understanding of automotive engineering while learning more complex mechanical and electronical automotive works. Subjects that you will usually be required to study are:

Automotive Braking System
Fuel System Dynamics
Strength of Materials
Thermofluid
Thermofluid Laboratory
Diesel Engines
Emissions Systems & Turbochargers
Chemistry 2

Most institutions include a semester where you will undergo industrial training at workshops and factories. This is where you’ll get to have hands-on experience to practice and apply the knowledge you’ve obtained.

What Career Options Do You Have with an Automotive Engineering Degree?

After completing your Automotive Engineering course, here are some of your career options:

Automotive Engineering Technician
Automotive Design Engineer
Automotive Engineer
Automobile Designer
Sales Manager
Sales Advisor
Service Advisor
Service Manager
Foreman
Technician
Motorsport Technician
Motorsport Team Captain

Automotive engineering in Malaysia: Fees, Eligibility, Scholarship & Admission 2026