Both the Automotive Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Degrees will provide you with a strong foundation in mechanics and the basic concepts needed to be successful in the automotive field but there are some differences. Automotive engineering is a specialised branch of mechanical engineering, covering the areas of automotive engines, transmission, suspension, braking systems, electrical and electronics, comfort and safety, automotive workshop technology and management. 

Automotive engineers are involved in the design, manufacture, distribution, marketing, sales and after-sales care of cars (including racing cars), motorbikes and other commercial vehicles. Engineers will work on the aesthetics and technical performance of these vehicles and, increasingly, the electronics and software involved with modern vehicles.

An automotive engineering degree, is sometimes called an automotive mechanical engineering degree. In Automotive Engineering Degree you will study topics such as powertrain and chassis design, electronic components, aerodynamics and safety components. But, the Automotive Engineering major is a highly specialized degree that is only offered by select schools so it may be difficult to find a university that offers this degree. Most automotive engineering degrees are actually offered as masters programs.

Automotive Technician
Automotive technicians on the other hand, also called service technicians or mechanics, do a lot of work with the mechanical and computer systems in cars. This means that they work with engines and transmissions, but they are also trained to work with braking and transmission electronic systems. They use many different tools to accomplish their tasks, including hand tools like wrenches and computerized tools like welding torches. They usually work during normal business hours, but overtime work is common.

Job responsibilities of automotive technicians include:

Automotive technicians and mechanical engineers each work with mechanical systems. However, automotive technicians work with cars by performing maintenance and repairs on vehicle systems. They usually work in repair shops, and they might be at a higher risk of injury than other jobs. Mechanical engineers, on the other hand, work closely with thermal and mechanical devices to make them work better. They usually work in an office but may travel to work sites to get a closer look at a piece of equipment. Automotive technicians make sure cars run properly, and mechanical engineers develop devices to solve problems.

Mechanical engineers both design and supervise the manufacture of many different kinds of mechanical products and systems, including thermal and mechanical devices. They might develop medical devices, or they might work on batteries. Their work takes them into many different industries. They create machines that generate power, like internal combustion engines or gas turbines. They also make machines that use power, like refrigeration systems. They use computers to test their designs and make equipment specifications.

Job responsibilities of mechanical engineers include:

If you would like to view list of recommendation for tertiary programs related to this article, click here to go to the Technician & Mechanic skill programs, or here for the Mechanical & Automotive Engineering programs.  If you are not sure which path you want to pursue for your tertiary education,  you should find this psychometric test here to be helpful in providing some aptitude breakdown and course suggestions upon completion of the test. Feel free to proceed to the test, it's free after all.