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A passion for cars and motorsport has driven Joao Ferreira from Portugal to the UK, where he is currently studying for a BEng in Automotive Engineering at the ���ϳԹ��� (���ϳԹ���). After completing secondary education in Portugal and taking time to consider his future, Joao said he was attracted to the University because of its practical, hands-on approach and strong industry connections. Today, he is preparing for a career in the competitive automotive and motorsport industries.

“Once I found myself living in the UK, I realised it was the right time to pursue my passion for automotive engineering,” said Joao. “I was drawn to ���ϳԹ��� for its reputation in the automotive and motorsport fields, particularly for hands-on projects like the MCR team in the Sports 2000 Championship. The University’s focus on practical application, alongside classroom learning, made it the perfect place to develop the skills I need to kickstart my career.”

Joao said he chose ���ϳԹ���’s automotive engineering course to deepen his knowledge in key areas such as powertrain development and vehicle dynamics. The programme’s integration of emerging technologies, including electric vehicles and sustainable engineering, aligned well with his goal of contributing to both the current and future landscape of the automotive industry. 

“This course offered me the technical skills I need to navigate both today’s technology and the upcoming changes in regulations,” he said.

One of the highlights of Joao’s studies so far has been participating in a team project for the C1 Racing Club’s 24-hour race at Silverstone. “Applying what I learned in class to a competitive motorsport environment was an incredible experience,” he said. His passion for practical learning continued during an industrial placement at Xtrac Ltd., where he worked in the R&D department for a year. “My role involved everything from designing testing rigs to working on transmission testing, which gave me hands-on experience in mechanical design, data analysis, and real-world applications. This experience reinforced my technical skills and expanded my understanding of the automotive industry.”

Returning to university after several years presented unique challenges for Joao, who has balanced his studies with part-time work to support himself. “The pandemic made it especially hard to find suitable employment, but these experiences taught me resilience and adaptability,” he said. Despite these hurdles, he is committed to completing his final year and looks forward to bringing his skills to the automotive and motorsport sectors.

“���ϳԹ��� provides a supportive learning environment with hands-on projects that bridge theory and practice, which is invaluable in preparing for a successful career in engineering.”

As he completes his final year, Joao is excited about the path ahead. “I want to build a career that combines my passion for engineering with my love for motor vehicles. I’m grateful to ���ϳԹ��� for equipping me with the skills and experiences I need to make that vision a reality.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071