Curious about studying Virtual Prototyping for Vehicle Structures MScat Cranfield University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Cranfield Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
1 Year
In a rapidly evolving automotive sector, virtual prototyping for vehicle structures is an essential part of the development process of innovative vehicle designs. This course empowers students with the advanced skills and tools needed to reshape vehicle design, focusing on advanced simulation, passive safety and material characterisation. For CAE engineers and their teams, this knowledge is crucial for optimising design processes, minimising the need for physical prototypes, and delivering reliable, data-driven solutions that accelerate development and improve vehicle performance from road vehicles to racing cars. The MSc in Virtual Prototyping for Vehicle Structures has been developed to provide the Automotive and Motorsport industry with high calibre stress analysts that are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the structures and CAE department. Through hands-on experience with advanced simulation tools and industry-leading techniques, students will be inspired to push the boundaries of innovation to contribute to the development of smarter, safer and more efficient vehicles. The balance between lab experience at the Cranfield Impact Centre and exposure to advanced simulation techniques will provide a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects to analyse prototypes in a virtual environment and refine their concepts through testing.
This module will provide deep understanding of vehicle propulsion options and driveline supporting students to analyse and predict vehicle performance. The interdependency of vehicle systems will be reviewed to critically evaluate the integration of different alternative powertrain options and be able to select appropriate solutions within legislation framework.
The aims of this module are to introduce the following elements:
The module aims to:
To provide an understanding of global and local buckling and the mechanisms involved in material failure.
To introduce the testing methodology in crashworthiness to assess energy absorption capability of metallic and composite structures.
To introduce the most common features required in the simulation of crash behaviour of metallic and composite structures.
To review passive safety in the automotive context including current regulations and anthropomorphic test device (ATD).
The module offers combination of fundamental concepts lectures, engineering theories, lab exercises, finite element modelling, simulations and tutorials.
To provide a fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics as applied to wheeled vehicles.
To introduce you to road vehicle ride and handling, from requirements to analytical modelling and practical viewpoints.
To link understanding of vehicle dynamics, ride and handling to the practical implications for suspension and steering system design.
To provide a fundamental understanding of the simulation and testing protocols to be followed to design vehicle structures. The focus is on fatigue and NVH of structural components including battery shells and powertrain components. The module offers combination of fundamental concepts lectures, engineering theories, lab exercises, finite element modelling, simulations and tutorials.
The module aims to provide an introduction to the selection and processing, of materials for vehicle structures. Emphasis will be given to practical experience of the use of a range of materials for automotive structures focussing on manufacturing and assembly technology. The module is delivered with a combination of lectures, lab activities, and tutorials.
Provide detailed understanding and practical experience of the use of composite materials in racing car structures including materials selection, component design, manufacturing technology processing and performance.
The module aims to provide an introduction to the design and analysis of vehicle structures. Emphasis will be given to understanding and practical experience of the use of a range of materials in car structures including design, stress analysis and performance.
The module offers combination of fundamental concepts lectures, engineering theories, lab exercises, finite element modelling, simulations and tutorials.
To introduce the programme and the courses and the facilities available at Cranfield.
To plan, conduct and report on an original, individual programme of research within the field of Automotive Engineering/Automotive Mechatronics/Virtual Prototyping for Vehicle Structures.
3.5