Decision about MSc

[nachetete]

Hi,I need to take a big decision for the next year.I have been granted a MSc in CFD at Southampton, Cranfield and Von Karman for the next academic year. I was wondering whic of these is the best in order to get a job within the F1.
Thank you very much in advance.

[amouzouris]

Hi,I need to take a big decision for the next year.I have been granted a MSc in CFD at Southampton, Cranfield and Von Karman for the next academic year. I was wondering whic of these is the best in order to get a job within the F1.
Thank you very much in advance.

I know you will be working on CFD, but bare in mind that Southampton has its own wind tunnel. Plus in my opinion it is the best of the 3.

EDIT: Andrian Newey graduated from the University of Southampton!

[nachetete]

As far as I know,the Von Karman institute has 46 of them

[amouzouris]

As far as I know,the Von Karman institute has 46 of them

46 small ones?

edit: IIRC the Southampton wind tunnel can take 50% scale car models

[marcush.]

what has windtunnel capacities available on campus to do with CFD? wouldn´tyou be more interested in actual cfd tools and expertise available on the site ?
I could imagine an interest in test benches to retrieve detailed data from heat exchanger´flows maybe with fans etc etc to correlate to your cfd workor fill the gaps CFD is unevitably going to leave
I´d think the proper way to carve yourself a road into formula 1 is to start a relationship with cd-adapco,ansys etc ...it´s no coincidence even BIG OEMs rely heavily on expertise of these companies in vehicle development at a level one just scratches his head when considering the sensivity of information shared with companies who advertise ´doing knowledge transfer as a business model...I cannot fathom how a clever guy working there would not be snapped up instantly even by leading teams if available.

[amouzouris]

what has windtunnel capacities available on campus to do with CFD?

Im not sure there is anything to do with it! Just a discussion

[nachetete]

Marcush, I'm looking for the big picture. I need to have an idea of pros and cons for each path.

[Greg Locock]

Between Cranfield and Southhampton I'd choose the latter in general, for engineering type stuff. Both have good reps for aero. I know nothing about VK.

[Jersey Tom]

Ask yourself this - if you go down the path of school 'X' and don't find a job in F1, or at that point (or after a year or so in the sport) decide you don't want to do F1 anymore... which path gives you the best options for you long term future?

[nachetete]

That's the point.IMO,Southampton is really focus on race car aerodynamics and Cranfield has the name,while the VK is not as well-known as the others but it is the best overall.That's the idea I have after studying it carefully for a while.Hope someone confirms my theory or gives me another point of view.

[amouzouris]

Exactly. JT pretty much summed it up! It depends on what you want to do. If you want a job in F1 I think the best way to go is Southampton. If however you are not sure that's what you want to be doing for the rest of your life..If you are not that passionate about F1..then go with VK..

[Greg Locock]

Bear in mind that for every CFD node pusher who is working on the wings and exterior panels, there's probably another two working on cooling ducts, intakes and flow around the brakes.

[Websta]

Does it really matter that much? Aren't the programs pretty similar, or not? Aren't employers much more interested in experience over where you studied, at least later on in your career anyway?

[jamsbong]

what has windtunnel capacities available on campus to do with CFD? wouldn´tyou be more interested in actual cfd tools and expertise available on the site ?

I think a windtunnel is essential in Aerodynamics work and thus essential for learnings. It is also an indication of where the Uni chooses to spend their money.
CFD is just a tool like Microsoft office or adobe photoshop. It is the fundamentals of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics that a student has to master to become a proper Aero engineer.
That and a proper network connection to F1 will give you a chance to be in F1.

[Jersey Tom]

Aren't employers much more interested in experience over where you studied, at least later on in your career anyway?

YES.

Though as far as getting your foot in the door there is something to be said for networking opportunities at certain universities.