Your study programme

Some teams tend to get stuck on something that actually has a very simple solution. However, I do believe it’s important that students come to me well-prepared.

Arno

Teacher

As a member of the lab team at Fontys, I am responsible for managing the Automotive lab. I specialise in electric cars and assist the students who work on them in the lab. This is an important role, as the automotive industry is increasingly transitioning to electric vehicles. Students start working in the lab as soon as they start their programme, so in the first year. They can come to me with all kinds of questions!

I feel like I have a talent to explain complex processes and concepts in a simple way. The questions students ask often have straightforward answers. That’s why I think it’s very important that they feel comfortable enough to ask me those questions. Some teams tend to get stuck on something that actually has a very simple solution. However, I do believe it’s important that students come to me well-prepared. You need to have thought about it yourself first and know exactly what you're asking. After graduating, I want students to be able to function well independently. That’s only possible if you know how to ask the right questions.

As a Fontys student, I’m also part of an Automotive student team from Eindhoven University of Technology. The goal of the team is to build a car which we will take all over Europe and race against other student teams.

Nikolas

Student

I really enjoy my time as a student at Fontys. I like to work on a lot of projects. Next to the projects I need to do for Automotive Engineering, I’m also part of an Automotive student team from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), I have a job at DAF, and I like to spend time hanging out with friends, exploring new places in the city or going camping in nature.

Even though the student team I’m a part of is from the TU/e, Fontys students are also allowed to join in. The goal of the team is to build a car which we will take all over Europe to race against other student teams. I’m a member of the aerodynamics department and work on the front wing of the car.

The fact that there are so many Automotive companies located in Eindhoven and Helmond, a city next to Eindhoven, makes it much easier to find an internship or a job in the field. I have a part time job at DAF, a company that makes trucks, as an assembly worker. Even though it is a part time job, I still wanted to work in the industry to make connections in the field.You can be busy with other things, but I would still advise new students to focus on their studies. My biggest tip is to join your classes! If you do not go to the classes, you will miss essential information. It is true that you get to apply the theory in practical projects, but it is still very important to understand the necessary theory.

We train students in Automotive Engineering to become system engineers. This means that, as a student, you gain general engineering knowledge which you apply to the field of Automotive. After your studies, this will offer you numerous opportunities

Frank

Teacher

I worked as an account manager and resource manager in the corporate sector. One of my responsibilities back then was coaching young engineers. I really enjoyed doing that, which is why I decided to make the transition to education. I find it very rewarding to use my industry experience to bridge the gap between school and the work field. It’s incredibly inspiring to see what happens in the field, and I place great importance on linking theory to practice. I think it adds a lot of value when students are learning on the job. This can happen through internships, but also through business-related projects or company visits connected to the Electric Drive minor.

We train students in Automotive Engineering to become system engineers. This means that, as a student, you acquire general engineering knowledge, which you then apply to the automotive field. I consider the intrinsic motivation that students demonstrate when working on projects to be very important. The programme's approach ensures that you don't necessarily have to work in the automotive industry. It’s also important to note that the programme places a strong emphasis on theory and knowledge. If your primary interest is tinkering with cars, this may not be the most suitable programme for you.When students complete their studies and earn their diploma, I hope they leave Fontys with a healthy level of self-confidence in their engineering skills. Additionally, I hope they remain eager to learn because learning doesn’t stop after graduation; personal development is a lifelong process. I wish for them to stay curious and find a job where they truly enjoy their work and can continue to grow.

Bij Automotive leiden we studenten op tot system engineers. Dit betekent dat je als student algemene kennis opdoet van engineering, maar dat dit wordt gekoppeld aan Automotive. De intrinsieke motivatie die studenten hebben bij het werken aan projecten vind ik daarbij heel belangrijk. De insteek van de opleiding zorgt ervoor dat je niet per se in de Automotive industrie hoeft te gaan werken. Je bent breed inzetbaar. Het is goed te weten dat onze opleiding veel waarde hecht aan theorie. Wil je alleen maar sleutelen aan auto’s? Dan is dit misschien niet de best passende opleiding voor jou.

Ik hoop dat afgestudeerde studenten onze opleiding verlaten met een gezond zelfvertrouwen in hun vaardigheden als engineer. En dat ze leergierig blijven, want leren stopt niet na de opleiding. Ook in het werkveld blijf je jezelf voortdurend ontwikkelen.