It is true that the course naming at coventry does seem a tad confusing now. A quick look at their web site and prospectus taught me a little though.
"Automotive Design Mdes 4 year;
Our Automotive Design degree will give you the skills and understanding to work as a designer in the automotive industry. This course was developed in consultation with the automotive industry which has identified a strong need for its graduates. On the course you will learn both 2D and 3D design skills, as well as how to use physical and virtual tools to create innovative automotive designs.
Future prospects
Graduates will be well prepared for employment as a designer or modeller within the automotive industry, or as a 3D designer in other creative industries. You may also wish to apply for further study at postgraduate level."
"Vehicle Design Mdes 4 year;
Our Vehicle Design degree will give you the skills and understanding to design low volume production vehicles with an emphasis upon the practical engineering issues of design and development.
Future prospects
As a graduate of Vehicle Design you will be well prepared for employment as a designer with the low volume vehicle industries, or in other manufacturing industries. You may also wish to apply for further study at postgraduate level."
"Transport Design Mdes 4 year;
Our world famous Transport Design degree will give you the skills and understanding to work as a designer in any transportation industry. This course was developed in consultation with the transport industries which have employed its graduates for over thirty years.
Future prospects
Graduates will be prepared for employment as a designer within any transport industry, or as a 3-D designer in other creative industries. You may also wish to apply for further study at postgraduate level."
Confused? Me too!
The way I read this is that to be a car designer at a big car manufacturer you should be looking at the Automotive course. If you fancy working for a smaller company (TVR perhaps or similar) where knowledge about how things are manufactured and built is a bit more of a requirement then you will be looking at the Vehicle design course. Finally the transport design course seems to be aimed at those looking to work in any transport related field. Buses, planes, boats, trains etc. etc.
This is my interpretation anyway. When I graduated in 2000 they had only just started to divide the courses up in such a way, so i dont have any first hand experience of the differences. The best idea is as usual to get the information straight from the horses mouth. Prepare some questions and give the uni a call to find out exactly how they see the differences. It will help if you tell them what your aims and intentions are. Given that you are seriously intending to apply next year they should have no issues with answering your questions.
Hope this helps.
