Intelligent Transport Systems MSc

Postgraduate

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This course aims to develop the critical skills essential to produce robust and safe advanced driver automation systems for use in AV applications.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST013

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

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Course overview

The ongoing evolution of autonomous vehicles (AVs) hinges on the expertise and vision of tomorrow's engineers.

If you have a background in software engineering, computer science or a related field, this course can help you achieve your career goals. It covers key topics like sensor fusion, localisation, computer vision and communications.

You will apply your developing engineering knowledge to address the rapid development of autonomous vehicle technology with a particular focus on safety, cybersecurity, testing and validation of AVs. These topics will typically be delivered by our industrial collaborator HORIBA MIRA to ensure their real-world relevance and prepare you for the workforce.²

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This course is for you if you want to:

explore emerging technologies with practical application
develop your ability to critically determine advantages and limitations of current and emerging practice
test the boundaries of software and hardware development
investigate autonomous vehicle sustainability
benefit significantly from our industrial and strategic collaborations²
work towards the current and future safeguarding of society in line with the work of the Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).²
gain practical experience and boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.

Your teaching will be split between Coventry University and Horiba MIRA. Teaching on the course is expected to occur at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI), a global skills centre located on the HORIBA MIRA Technology Campus near Nuneaton.²

What you'll study

Modules

CAV Cybersecurity, Verification and Validation - 30 credits

Research, understand and test various aspects of CAV technologies, both software and hardware, to develop your critical knowledge in the field of automotive cybersecurity, verification and validation, all of which pose a major challenge to connected and AVs. The module addresses the wider challenge of increasing digital and software components on connected platforms and focuses specifically on the threat intelligence and engineering aspects of automotive systems. Issues of policy and personal data are explored, whilst also considering the testing and systems engineering lifecycle of CAVs.

Compulsory

CAV Safety and Human Factors - 30 credits

Examine the machine-human interface in CAV and consider the safety factors involved in using AVs. Explore the concept of vehicle safety and how this particularly applies in the context of connected and AVs, including its place within the vehicle design and electronic system design processes. Module content covers the key principles of human factors when considering AVs, specifically the interaction between such systems and the humans using them.

Compulsory

CAV Vision and Perception - 30 credits

Investigate vehicle perception of the surrounding environment using the active sensor systems involved in AVs, particularly those sensor systems capable of capturing high-resolution 3D data, as well as sensor fusion topics. Key mathematical concepts will be introduced to allow you to appreciate the background of the methods being studied. Emphasis will be placed on the selection and use of appropriate techniques in the context of the application area of connected AVs.

Compulsory

CAV Communication - 30 credits

Master’s with professional placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Gain valuable industry insights and skills as you apply your academic knowledge and skills to a professional placement.
The placement must be sourced and secured by you during your first semester. Our careers and employability team are available to support you with the sourcing process.
Start your professional placement after completing the first 120 credits of your course.
The professional placement will be integrated into your course learning and outcomes. This will take the form of a reflective diary demonstrating your learning and engagement with the placement experience.
The professional placement option is subject to additional fees, living costs, visa requirements, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.²For full terms and conditions please visit the extended master’s landing page.

Optional

Individual Project - 60 credits

This is your opportunity to put into practice the prior and new learning that you acquired from your taught modules to solve a significant engineering problem in a professional manner. The project will be typically an industrial or research-based project that is technical in nature.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
tests
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in computing, computer science, software development or related discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in computing, computer science, software development or related discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 per year £1,500 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year	Not available
International	£18,600 per year £1,800 professional placement fee (if placement secured) per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The MTI is a bespoke global skills centre featuring multiple teaching and training rooms as well as several automotive facilities. Facilities include thoroughly equipped engineering, hybrid energy vehicle, electric vehicle and automotive workshops, alongside specialised vehicle subsystem training and test rigs (such as anti-lock braking (ABS), controller area network (CAN) system rigs), as well as vehicle manufacturing validation and test facilities.

Coventry University will provide the equipment needed for practical exercises in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication and navigation, based on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Galileo, Glonass and BeiDou. Coventry University will also provide the equipment (accelerometers and data -acquisition devices) and software (Labview) needed for the practical exercises in vehicle dynamics.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Graduates with this degree should be in high demand, given the increasing focus on sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions globally. The choice of career path will depend on individual interests, technical expertise and industry focus, but could include sectors and associated roles such as:

Engineering and Design

ITS Engineer: designing and deploying systems like traffic management, adaptive traffic signals, and tolling systems.
Transport Infrastructure Engineer: focusing on smart infrastructure, such as connected roads, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, or smart rail systems.
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer: working on the development of self-driving vehicles and the necessary infrastructure.

Urban Planning and Management

Urban Mobility Planner: designing smart, sustainable, and efficient urban transport systems, integrating public and private transport modes.
Smart Cities Consultant: advising on ITS integration in smart city projects, from public transport to e-mobility solutions.
Sustainability Analyst: ensuring transport systems align with environmental goals, such as reducing emissions and optimizing resource use.

Entrepreneurship

Start-Up Founder: developing innovative ITS solutions such as mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms or traffic monitoring tools.
Consulting Firm Founder: specialising in ITS integration, project management or sustainability.

How to apply

UK students

Express your interest now, and we'll notify you when applications open for this new course!

Coventry University continuously innovates to create courses that prepare our students to be at the forefront of their chosen careers. The course you've selected is new, and we anticipate opening it for applications from April 2025. Please register your interest, and we'll let you know as soon as you can apply.

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Express your interest now, and we'll notify you when applications open for this new course!

View our International hub

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding