Automotive Engineering
- 4 year(s)
- English
- Bachelor
- Full-time
Open Days and More
- Open days
- Student for a Day
- And more...
About Automotive
Our programme teaches you to design, manufacture and test vehicles in a rapidly changing and demanding world. Technical developments – certainly in the field of mobility – are happening at lightning speed. You’ll become a specialist who isn’t afraid to push the boundaries. During your studies, you’ll develop your technical skills and learn how challenging development and research projects lead to innovative products and solutions.
Why study Automotive at Fontys?
- Work with businesses to create innovative and useful products
- Close cooperation with automotive companies in the Brainport Region
- We are located in a modern building on the TU/e campus which has a high tech automotive lab
- Full attention for your passion, and personal guidance to get the best out of you
What are you going to learn?
The automotive engineer of the future is an “out of the box” thinker who can connect complex and different professional disciplines. Our programme prepares you to be the best! After your studies, you’ll be able to understand, interpret, connect and integrate the complex challenges of transport concepts, sustainability and technology.
- You will get a mix between theory and practice.
- Cooperation with companies
- Hard and soft kills: you’ll learn to design, collaborate, plan and think creatively and respectfully in a multi-cultural environment.
- Various and diverse subjects are included, such as: mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical engineering, measurement and control technology, engine dynamics, vehicle dynamics, vehicle electrical engineering, materials and engine management systems.
Welcome to our building: Nexus
Come and have a look!How does your week look like?
Studying is hard work. And that’s not a bad thing, as long as there’s variety. Automotive offers everything you’re looking for:
- One moment you’re in the classroom (we pride ourselves on small class settings for maximum interactions)
- Next, you’re working on a vehicle in our state of the art workshops
- Or you’re busy creating mobility solutions for a company
- Work with your fellow students and under the guidance of our teachers
What does your study time look like at Fontys Engineering?
Click on the video and we will explain it to you in detail!Courses
The first year is primarily focused on orienting your studies and future profession. You’re introduced to the automotive engineer’s broad domain and you establish an initial theoretical basis that will enable you to start working as an automotive engineer in the future. The lectures cover the theory which you can immediately apply in practical assignments and projects. Examples of the subjects covered:
- Motor dynamics
- Vehicle dynamics
- Control engineering
- Mechanics
- Materials science
Mathematics is a common thread throughout your studies. We’ll help you with additional lectures should you require any help with mathematics. From the very first day of the Automotive introduction week, there is the Pressure Cooker Week. During this week, you will be introduced to the Automotive Project Courses (APJ), where you will work in a small team of students. There are a total of 8 project modules within the first two years of the programme.
Starting in the second academic year, you’ll expand your automotive knowledge and engineering skills, and you’ll increasingly gain insight into the connection between certain subjects. The thinking process becomes more abstract and projects become more complicated, but they challenge you to engage in creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
You’ll do all of this in collaboration with your fellow students. In addition to taking specific automotive subjects in the engineering domain – including motor dynamics, vehicle dynamics, vehicle electrical engineering and motor management systems – you’ll also learn more about mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical engineering and process control systems.
From the third academic year onwards, you’ll specialise in several ways to focus on your specific interests.
Internship
One half of the third academic year, you’ll spend 20 weeks doing an internship. This is the perfect opportunity for you to put into practice what you have learned during your study programme. You’re really entering the job market! You’ll complete an internship at a company in the Netherlands or abroad. Of course, we will assist you in choosing your internship.
Minor
One half of this academic year, you’ll follow a minor programme. All Fontys full-time bachelor’s degree programmes consist of a major and a minor. The major is the core of the programme and serves as your main study field, whereas your minor is an elective programme of one semester. As a full-time student, you can choose for a Fontys minor in any discipline or for a minor offered by Automotive, Electric Drive or Motorsport Engineering. Minors outside of Fontys UAS and/or abroad are also possible. The choice is yours!
In the first semester of the fourth year, the programme focuses on AutomotiveNL, the cluster organisation for the Dutch automotive industry, mobility sector and automotive education sector:
- Smart mobility (traffic safety and vehicle systems, advanced driver assistance systems)
- Future power trains (hybrid drives, electrical drives, motors with exhaust after treatment systems)
The second semester of the final year will be your graduation internship period. You’ll work and study at a company and write a bachelor’s thesis as a concluding project. At the end of the programme, you’ll have achieved 240 credits and be granted a Bachelor’s of Science degree.
Related courses
In addition to Automotive, Fontys University of Applied Sciences offers the technical programmes Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering.
For students of other nationalities, who followed the British curriculum, the minimum requirements are:
| 1. BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma with Mathematics and Physics or |
| 2. Access to HE Diploma or |
| 3. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + a General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects (Mathematics and Physics) at AS level (with grade A-C). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and Mathematics or |
| 4. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects (Mathematics and Physics) at A level (with grade D/E). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and Mathematics or |
| 5. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 3 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 3 relevant subjects (including Mathematics and Physics) at A level (with grade A to C). A total of 6 different subjects, including English and Mathematics. |
For students who are in possession of an IB diploma:
We accept HL and SL results and these students can be exempted from the English language requirement.
Physics and Mathematics are mandatory subjects (regardless of the level, HL or SL). The minimum score is 24 points (IB diploma awarded).
For students with other secondary education/ high school diplomas:
As soon as your application is visible in Studielink we will contact you by e-mail and ask you to send us your documents for the diploma assessment.
If you are curious whether your secondary school diploma is equivalent to Dutch standards and offers access to higher education in the Netherlands, please check the website of the Dutch foreign credentials evaluation center, Nuffic: https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/diploma/education-systems
Language requirements
For all course programmes a minimum level of proficiency in the English language is required. Read more detailed information.
For students of other nationalities, who followed the British curriculum, the minimum requirements are:
| 1. BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma with Mathematics and Physics or |
| 2. Access to HE Diploma or |
| 3. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + a General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects (Mathematics and Physics) at AS level (with grade A-C). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and Mathematics or |
| 4. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects (Mathematics and Physics) at A level (with grade D/E). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and Mathematics or |
| 5. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 3 subjects (with grade A to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 3 relevant subjects (including Mathematics and Physics) at A level (with grade A to C). A total of 6 different subjects, including English and Mathematics. |
For students who are in possession of an IB diploma:
We accept HL and SL results and these students can be exempted from the English language requirement.
Physics and Mathematics are mandatory subjects (regardless of the level, HL or SL). The minimum score is 24 points (IB diploma awarded).
For students with other secondary education/ high school diplomas:
As soon as your application is visible in Studielink we will contact you by e-mail and ask you to send us your documents for the diploma assessment.
If you are curious whether your secondary school diploma is equivalent to Dutch standards and offers access to higher education in the Netherlands, please check the website of the Dutch foreign credentials evaluation center, Nuffic: https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/diploma/education-systems
Language requirements
For all course programmes a minimum level of proficiency in the English language is required. Read more detailed information.
Visa
As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.
More information about Visa*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.
Diploma
for students with a Dutch secondary school diploma (from 1-9-2025)
Havo:
- Economics and Society with Physics or NLT or O&O
- Culture and Society with Mathematics A or Mathematics B and Physics or NLT or O&O
- Nature and Health with Physics or NLT or O&O
- Nature and Technology
Vwo:
- Economics and Society with Physics or NLT or O&O
- Culture and Society with Mathematics A or Mathematics B and Physics or NLT or O&O
- Nature and Health with Physics or NLT or O&O
- Nature and Technology
Mbo:
- Level 4
Level Mathematics
For successful completion of the study programme, we recommend a minimum starting level of Mathematics B at havo 5.
Basic course in Mathematics and Physics
Have you had little Mathematics and Physics during your mbo education or has it been a while since you studied these subjects? Take the Basic course in Mathematics and Physics and increase your knowledge and skills in Mathematics and Physics. This way, you can be sure of a good transition from mbo to hbo. Please note this course is only available in Dutch language.
Language
As an applicant with a Dutch mbo-4, havo- or vwo-diploma you will be exempted from taking the language proficiency test.
Costs
The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.
go to tuition fees indicator 2025-2026 go to tuition fees indicator 2024-2025
Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees
A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.
Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:
- Low institutional tuition fees
- High institutional tuition fees
Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations
These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the:
The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:
- If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
- If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
- If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Some Fontys study programmes offer the NL scholarship to their students. Check out the link to see if this study programme participates and for more information.
Information about NL scholarshipYou might also be eligible for other scholarships not provided by Fontys. These can be found on the Study in NL website.
Go to StudyinNLPaying in instalments
Collection will occur in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.
If paying the full sum in a single payment
If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.
Non-EU students
Incoming non-EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department, which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years, payment can be made by direct debit.
Non-SEPA
If you have a Bank account number of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a payment letter from Fontys via your course department.
The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).
The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 1,100 and EUR 1,500 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs.
Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 14.641 per year (€ 7.320 per semester)
Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months.
Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.
More information about accommodationCareer opportunities
This study programme offers excellent perspective for finding a good job at one of the many automotive companies in the heart of the Brainport automotive sector or organisations abroad! Automotive engineers are currently in high demand everywhere in the world. A few examples of sectors you may work in:
- You might have a client who can use your creativity to provide its customers with vehicles that fully automate the loading process.
- You can contribute to developments in busses so that a bus can easily be steered through traffic via a wireless network (involving challenges in data communication).
- Or you can work on adjustments in vehicles that make them more comfortable for the handicapped.
- You can work in innovative companies like DAF or VDL
Continuing your studies
Of course, you can also continue studying and take a master's course at Fontys or a technical university. Fontys offers master's degrees in Digital Technology Engineering and in System Design.
Agreements have been made with Technical University Eindhoven (TU/e) for a special programme, which makes it easy to move on to a master's programme at the TU/e.
Automotive Engineering: Your future as an engineer!
Watch the video in which Automotive students talk about how they see their future as engineers.How to apply
All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.
Application deadlines
| February intake Non-EU | 15 November |
|---|---|
| February intake EU | 15 December |
| September intake Non-EU | 15 May |
| September intake EU | 15 June |
Start your online application
- Log in to Studielink: www.studielink.nl.
- Submit your personal details (please ensure that you enter your names as stated on your passport and/or identity card), ensuring that all details are entered correctly, i.e. capital letters where required.
- Add 'New Enrolment Application': mind you choose the correct intake (September 2025).
- Add your previous education and answer the supplementary questions.
Within Studielink, choose this option:
| Educational institution | Fontys Hogescholen |
|---|---|
| Location of educational institution | Eindhoven |
| Programme | B Automotive – Automotive Engineering |
After your enrollment request has been sent, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail from Studielink.
Agenda
Sign up for one of our events. There's no better way to find out if this study programme is right for you! Visit a webinar from the comfort of your home or meet us live on campus. Whichever you choose, we hope to meet you soon.
Information Session: Studying in the Netherlands | Online
27 Nov 2024
16:00 - 17:00 CET
Programme
Are you interested in studying one of the technical domain programmes at Fontys in the Netherlands? Join this online information session designed for prospective students and their parents! We will provide practical information on how to apply, tuition fees, study costs, and accommodation.
Open Day
January 26, 2025
Programme
Having trouble making up your mind about your future studies? Or maybe you've already decided? Either way, we invite you to experience it firsthand at our Open Day. Step onto our campus and get a real taste of what your chosen study programme could be like. Our students and teachers will be your guides, ready to show you around.
Mark your calendar for our upcoming Open Day on January 26, 2025.
Do you want to be a part of it? Simply share your details, and you'll be among the first to receive updates.
Student for a day on campus at Automotive Engineering
Discover what it’s like to study at Fontys Engineering! Request to become a Student for a Day and immerse yourself in a typical day of classes. You will be together with a first-year student and attend the classes on his/her schedule. This provides you with an insight into the content of the programme and offers the opportunity to engage with both students and lecturers.
Send in your request
After we received your request, a student will contact you via email to coordinate a suitable day and time, and to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you!
If you have a preferred date, please register well in advance for necessary arrangements. Requests to become a Student for a Day are only possible during normal weeks of classes when there are no exams, holidays etc. The student will inform you about the possibilities.