Vehicle Engineering is a broad area of engineering science driven by an ever-increasing degree of mobility in the world. At the same time, the transportation sector faces the challenge of minimising its environmental impact, requiring innovative solutions and capable engineers. This field will continually demand specialists to drive the transition to sustainable road and rail transport. This is evident in the new vehicle designs and concepts from established manufacturers as well as new start-up companies, especially as connectivity, electrification, self-driving, and AI technologies are changing the way we design, build, test, and operate new vehicles.
The master's programme in Vehicle Engineering covers vehicle design, functions, requirements, and the evaluation of various road and rail vehicles. Vehicle dynamic properties, their interaction with the road or track, active systems for safety, monitoring, and comfort, and human vehicle interaction are essential topics within the programme. The programme also addresses vehicles within transport systems and their interactions with humans and society. The programme is based on lectures, assignments, simulations, experiments and team-based project work. In the project courses you get theory and practice in systems engineering and apply your knowledge to real engineering challenges in collaboration with industry and cutting-edge research at KTH.
Road Vehicle Engineering
The Road Vehicle Engineering specialisation is for students who want to develop future road vehicles, from individual components to complete vehicle systems. You study vehicle technology, components, vehicle dynamics, modelling and simulation, while developing an understanding of how vehicles interact with drivers, roads, and the wider transport system.
Throughout the specialisation, you combine analytical methods with simulations, experiments, and project-based learning. You also explore electrified and hybrid propulsion systems, sustainable vehicle technologies, and future trends in vehicle development.
Rail Vehicle Engineering
The Rail Vehicle Engineering specialisation is for students who want to develop future railway systems by understanding how vehicles, infrastructure, electrification, and signalling work together. You study rail vehicle technology, railway signalling, electric transportation, and rail vehicle dynamics, while developing expertise in modelling, simulation, and system analysis.
Throughout the specialisation, you combine analytical methods with simulations, experiments, and project-based learning. You learn to analyse vehicle-track interaction, optimise vehicle performance, and design safe, energy-efficient, and sustainable railway systems.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH).
Programme structure and progression
During the first year, you build a foundation in vehicle engineering through mandatory courses in vehicle systems, vehicle technology and vehicle dynamics, as well as courses within your chosen specialisation. The programme also gives you considerable freedom to shape your studies according to your interests and career goals through elective courses in areas such as vehicle design, structural design, control theory, electrified vehicles and transport systems.
During the second year, you continue to develop your chosen specialisation through elective courses, a project course and a degree project carried out either at KTH or, more commonly, in collaboration with industry. You are encouraged to seek a suitable industry project, with KTH providing support and relevant contacts.
Courses in the programme
The courses in the programme cover topics such as vehicle systems and their components, vehicle-road/track interaction, dynamics, modelling and simulation, analysis, control, validation, exper