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Does anybody on here know anything about/ done one of these courses? Ive been to see my local careers adviser and they didnt know a great deal about what to do to get on a course so gave me the ucas website.
Basically ive worked for audi for 5 years and completed their advanced apprenticeship for which i gained a btec nd as well as the normal nvq and i was told that i could go to uni on this and do an engineering course, im getting really bored with general maintenance/repair and the medeocre wages the job offers so want to try to get into motorsport which is where my real interest is!
My question is though - how the hell do i choose which particular course (there are loads to choose from) and what entry qualifications do i need? the website goes on about some sort of points system? I have 11 gcse's and my nvq/btec (with distinction) but cant for the life of me find anybody that can tell me what else if anything i need and which course to go for that would bet me in the area of the field i want to be :x
Sorry about the essay but any advise would be welcome!
Best bet is to find a uni and ring them up, or go visit them, have a tour round the department
Fred from yozzasport started one at cov uni ages ago iirc, didn't last long, its not what you'd think, lots to do with flow rates and formulae for flow through a head etc from what i've been told
But then saying that i think most degrees are like that i'm using a fraction of what i was and am being taught on site in my degree, and half the stuff i ahve been taught it bollocks and years outa date
I nearly did a course like this a few years back, at NEWI in Wrexham where i live.
The course title was 'Performance Car Technology' though, dunno if that's the same one?
As said above, you need to go to them and have a chat about it. Alot of places will let you in on merit if you've got near enough the qualifications you're after.
Well looking at it i wouldnt want to go far and uclan (in preston) seem to offer a few courses. When i looked on the course content it showed the first year being more like an introduction to general mechanical engineering and physics, the second year went into "all apsects of design and build of performance engines" The third year was then a placement year within the motorsports field and the fourth is all about vehicle systems and chassis technology ending with your own practical project.
I know theres prob a lot of bollocks involved in it but if i want to get into motorsports i cant see me getting anywhere with my current btec. I'll probably give them a ring to find out about it when im next pissed off at work lol
cliolord
11-11-2007, 20:08
Hi Dave. I've also had this in mind but I don't know if I can take this college work crap any more :lol: Feel's like I spent my whole life in a class room already for christ sake!
I done a degree in Motorsport Engineering.
Best way to sum it up is mechanical engineering, with a MASSIVE emphasis on applying it to all aspects of vehicle and engine design.
In short:
Chassis and suspension design and analysis
Vehicle dynamics
Aerodynamics
MAterials and structures
Thermodynamcis (in general, but as applied to engine operation)
Engine design and simulation
Combustion analysis
Engine control and calibration.
Plus a few more modules which ive probably forgotten, but you get the idea!
The engine side of it was awesome....SO in depth, learnt so much. This ranged from like the physical attributes to applying laws of thermodynamcs to combustion, so as to idealise. Headflow analysis and predictions using real-time bench data and computer generated simulatiosn etc etc...
LOADS of theory surrounding combustion, which is usually the basis for your dissertation.
Also LOTS of maths/physics/science.....at the end of the day your doing a BEng programme.
Check out SIHE (swansea institute of higher education) on google for an online prospectus. SIHE was one of the first to do the course, starting maybe 8 years ago....since then there have been a number of uni's offering similar courses, but after speaking to a few of the tutors at conventions etc, not all appear to be very good. of course im going to be biased though!
I think the openshaw campus at mancat uni does that course! Not 100%sure tho.
Holl :D
Cheers stan thats pretty much how i imagined it to be and it really interests me. I just really need to think about whether i can give up work and my wage and go back into full time education with the debts etc, i could probably go on living comfortably the way i am but sometimes that just isnt enough! Im sure i will have to do extra courses for the maths and physics side of things as i didnt do a great deal of that during my btec. How long was the course duration that you did and roughly what sort of costs am i looking at to do it?
Holl im not 100% but i think that course is just general vocational motor maintenance/repair which ive already done.
Pass on costs mate.
How old are you? If you are late 20's + then you will get alot of financial support.
If your not content with your current work, then a few yours of financial defiency is a very small price to pay for the following lifetime of happiness.
Im only 21 but even at this ripe old age im classed as a mature student- not that that really matters as i thought it was more working families/parents that got financial help. I am content with my current work but thats all just content. Dont get me wrong i do get a sense of achievement on finishing a big job especially one which a lot of the more experienced lads in the workshop cannot do but maybe im living in a dream world thinking that i can get up everyday and cant wait to leave the house for work!!
Lots of thinking to do and speaking to people in the next couple of months i think.
Hi mate...
Iīm doing the 1st year in Preston. Started this year and came all the way from Portugal.
I can tell you for sure itīs not just "general vocational motor maintenance/repair".
In the first year we have Maths, mechanics, race car anatomy, workshop (lathe work, milling, soldering, grinding, cad, grinding etc.. and our own design and manufacturing project) and drawing & cad (you learn how to draw with paper and pencil to an advanced level and then we use solidworks).
Second year Iīm not sure...
Placement is optional
And the last, 3rd or 4th depending on your previous choice, is mostly about your own project and Formula Student or Shell Eco Marathon.
We have a kind of opcional lecture on tuesdays from 18 till 21h00. Very few of us, but we are learning to fully rebuild an engine, maybe youīve done it before but many others didnīt so itīs still interesting but then it keeps going to a more "advanced level". You can also get involved with the formula ford team, UCLANīs hoovercraft team (podium last world cup in the class) and untill last year there was also a turboīd CBR600 that used to race in Macau, but the project got transfered to Australia, but there is still a bike department (if you like it).
If thereīs anything I can clarify, please PM or email me tiagoallenramos@gmail.com
As for maths/physics, you really need to be at or around Alevel standard to be comfortable doing a degree in engineering IMO.
It depends where you want to be in 10 years mate....
Theres various ways of climbing the ladder. If your more hands on, apply to a few race teams, get in as a general support mechanic, then become section mechanic, then head mechanic etc etc.
If your more academically minded, get the certificates under your belt and try for a few development positions.
It really depends where your intreets lie, and what you see yourself being good at.
I would 100% recommend doing a sandwich course, i'm just doing my final year after doing a year out, ok its in construction, but i ahve a job to walk into at the end of my degree, got a job working for someone i was working with last year, part time this year, and i know enough people and enough stuff to be able to get a job with very little effort
Yep i was lying!! lol
there is one in lanchashire somewere tho!
Holl :D
Stan- thats the problem i have, i have always been academically minded until i left college (dropped out of 6th form doing maths and physics to do my btec). I fear i would really struggle with the maths and pyhsics side of it but would be really good at the hands on side of the aforementioned design and manufacturing whereas the people that came from a levels etc would be the other way around. Im unsure how much help extra courses you could get with this.
I have been thinking about applying to a few teams but have always put myself off thinking i need many more certs to even be considered, suppose i could still try!
IHI- Thats the course ive been looking at and youve already given me more of an insight than the website! I love the sounds of the formula ford team! Whats the genearal outcome of the course and where do you hope to get doing it if you dont mind me asking?
Well, I think you are suitable to any Mechanic Engineering work but Motorsports would be where you'd be more confortable. Or even get a master degree after it.
You will be able to design and build your own projects, knowing both the designing and the machining part of it. You can specialize in a specific area like aerodynamics, engines or electronics and just try to be very good at it. Itīs like mechanic engineering, but applied to race cars in particular. You specialize in motorsports, but you can do pretty much evertyhing relating to mechanics.
Anyway, Iīm hoping to come back (not in England for the next days) to Portugal in the end and get a place in a race team or if possible starting my own (a dream, but not impossible). But bear in mind that the Portuguese Motorsports "market" is a LOT different from the UK one. Itīs not so professional IMO and has loads to improve.
Hope you understand everything because after reading it all back again, I had some trouble with my own sentences.
The one in Lancashire that is specific to Motorsport is at Myerscough College Nr to Garstang ~~
~I do know one of the Lecturers PHIL BOLAND,who used to run his own rally team on the British Championship,Using the Ford Escort Maxi ~~ kit cars.
The students there,actually build and run cars on all types of events,from Rallies through to racing.They currently built a Ford Escort ~~ with all maner of fancy Duratec engine ,and a race car as well.One student I know of has been taken on part time,by my tyre supplier,as his No2 for on event servicing of customers cars,with regards to tyres.
Like most things nowadays,unless you got the qualifications you will really struggle :cry: :cry: It seems to be a catch 22 situation ~~ Teams want experienced personnel, :shock: :shock: ,but how do you get experience,without being involved /employed :cry:
Maybe help out a smaller team at weekends etc etc.There will always be someone,wanting a helping hand ~~ I have several "mates" who come on events for just "~Bed & Breakfast ~~ just to be involved. :wink: :roll: :wink: and get nearer the action :twisted: :evil:
That said 2 guys I know ~~ who helped set up my Clio Rally car for Mull,are employed by Malcolm Wilson ( Uk Ford boss !!! :roll: ) as technicians on World Rally events ~~ neither have any formal/academic experience ~~ just good with there hands I guess :wink: :wink: They were actually "head Hunted" from my mates teams after he won the PWRC last year :cry: :cry: ~~ He (AUTOTEK) then employed a young guy from "MINISPORT " :wink: :wink: Who is now travelling the World and the Middle East ~ ~~ Each mechanic of the team has his own corner "!!! ~ and is responsible for it entirely .
If you get "AUTOSPORT" weekly,there are usually 2/3 pages of adverts from the F1 teams wanting all manner of personnel ~~ Wind Tunnel technicians :roll: :roll: ,Model makers :lol: :lol: ,plus ordinary engineers !!!!! (my forte :wink: :wink: ) to set up and run CNC machining centres ~~( although I doubt very much if these people get anywhere near the cars :oops: )
I would suggest it is just a letter / CV drop to the various personnel.
I have a few addresses contacts,within the motorsport fraternity if I can be of help ~~ please feel free to PM me ~~ Although "AUTOTEK" Are now fully staffed. :cry: :cry:
Apologies for the long winded post ~~ but as most of you know Motorsports is my Forte,and I like to pass on my 30 plus of experience to anyone I can help
bluenose
14-11-2007, 10:43
Really helpful and interesting post! I'm at a similar sort of point now and im also 21. Im just growing a bit tired of work and have seriously been considering going to university. I have thought about doing something like this but im not very hands on and im more at home with the academic side of things. Top info and advice lads! 8)
At the end of the day youve not got alot to loose by trying out different avenues, accadmic or not.
Dave..if youve been at a certain academic level before, then that wont have dissapeared..it will just be a bit rusty! The raw ability will still be there in other words.
If I were you, I'd apply to do a Motorsport BEng, IF you find yourself struggling on certain areas then im sure the lecturers will offer all the support you need.
donsrno1
14-11-2007, 17:52
I'm in my third year of a (5 year) mechanical engineering degree at the moment and tbh I wish I had done something like a motorsport degree as it sounds much more like what i wanted to do. When I first started my degree I went with straight mech eng as I thought it would give me much wider options after graduating, which I still think it will, but its very difficult to motivate myself to learn the stuff as its not applied to anything interesting the majority of the time. I don't mind most of it but thermodynamics bores me shitless the way it is taught, whilst I know for a fact that if a lot of it were taught looking at an engine I would be 10x more likely to put some effort in.
As others have said you would need to be a of a good level at physics/maths for any engineering degree really but if you have that and enough determination to do it then you should get on ok.
I mean don't get me wrong I still enjoy my degree, I just think that it would be a lot better if it were applied towards cars/motorsport.
To be honest.. I was a complete 0 in maths and physics. But Iīm keeping up with both these lectures, maybe because Iīm more motivated and because I can see where that is heading to and how to use it.
So, donīt be afraid.. itīs only a matter of effort.
Response to this is great- cliorod that was very helpful and its good to know that there are different ways and means of getting into it and sometimes regardless of qualifications you need to know the right people which is where im sure all struggle, ive a feeling i may need your help again sometime :wink: Also im going to try to get to a few events etc just to get a feel/ outside view of what the guys do plus its always good to be around these places :D
Stan,donsro1,IHI thats what im thinking about the academic side- it just needs bringing back out and if its something im really inerested in then the motivation to put in extra work can easily be found and as stan says im sure lecturers would help.
I think i'll try it both ways speaking to a couple of uni's to see where i stand and what can be offered and also speak to a few local firms/teams within the field and see where i can get- I feel much more enlightened now :lol:
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