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Master’s in Aerodynamics and Bodywork Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in aerodynamics and bodywork engineering: 12 modules covering racing-car aerodynamics, applied fluid mechanics, wings, floor and diffuser, bodywork and internal flow, CFD, wind tunnel and on-track aerodynamics, bodywork structures and aerodynamic optimisation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the aerodynamic forces acting on a racing vehicle.

02

Apply fluid mechanics to the design of wings and floors.

03

Design aerodynamic and bodywork components.

04

Simulate the flow with full-vehicle CFD.

05

Plan wind tunnel tests.

06

Correlate CFD, wind tunnel and track data.

07

Optimise aerodynamic designs within the regulations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aerodynamicists in motorsport, high-performance automotive or aerospace.
  • CFD engineers looking to specialise in external vehicle aerodynamics.
  • Wind tunnel engineers working with scale models.
  • Bodywork designers who need a solid aerodynamic foundation.
  • Aerodynamic correlation engineers linking CFD, tunnel and track.
  • Composites engineers producing aerodynamic parts.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical rules for competition vehicles)
  • Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR, aerodynamic testing restrictions)
  • SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
  • FIA GT3 Technical Regulations (technical rules for GT3 cars)
  • SAE J2084 (aerodynamic testing procedures for vehicles)
  • Simcenter Star-CCM+
  • OpenFOAM
  • XFOIL
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • CATIA
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Aerodynamic forces and moments
  2. 1.2Downforce and drag
  3. 1.3Aerodynamic efficiency L/D
  4. 1.4Aerodynamic balance
  5. 1.5Influence on vehicle dynamics
  6. 1.6History: wings and ground effect
  7. 1.7Aerodynamic regulations by category
  8. 1.8Touring car versus single-seater aerodynamics
  9. 1.9ATR development restrictions
  10. 1.10Case study: aerodynamic map of a single-seater
  1. 2.1Navier-Stokes equations
  2. 2.2Boundary layer and separation
  3. 2.3Laminar and turbulent flow
  4. 2.4Aerofoil theory
  5. 2.5Vortices and their generation
  6. 2.6The Venturi effect
  7. 2.7Wake flow
  8. 2.8Reynolds and Mach numbers
  9. 2.9Ground effect
  10. 2.10Lab: aerofoil analysis with XFOIL
  1. 3.1Multi-element front wings
  2. 3.2Rear wings and DRS
  3. 3.3Endplates and vortex control
  4. 3.4Gurney flaps
  5. 3.5Bargeboards and deflectors
  6. 3.6Mirrors and appendages
  7. 3.7Aerofoil design
  8. 3.8Interaction effects
  9. 3.9Regulatory flexibility limits
  10. 3.10Practical: design of a two-element wing
  1. 4.1Ground effect and its physics
  2. 4.2Venturi channels
  3. 4.3Diffusers and their design
  4. 4.4Sensitivity to ride height and pitch
  5. 4.5Porpoising
  6. 4.6Vortex side sealing
  7. 4.7The 2022 ground-effect regulations
  8. 4.8Planks and wear
  9. 4.9Platform stability
  10. 4.10Lab: CFD of a diffuser in OpenFOAM
  1. 5.1Bodywork design
  2. 5.2Flow management towards the diffuser
  3. 5.3Sidepods and cooling
  4. 5.4Air outlets
  5. 5.5Engine cover
  6. 5.6Wheels and their wake
  7. 5.7Rims and wheel covers
  8. 5.8Integration with cooling
  9. 5.9Bodywork regulations
  10. 5.10Practical: wheel wake analysis with CFD
  1. 6.1Meshing of complete vehicles
  2. 6.2RANS turbulence models
  3. 6.3DES and LES simulations
  4. 6.4Boundary conditions: moving ground and rotating wheels
  5. 6.5Convergence and quality
  6. 6.6Post-processing
  7. 6.7Aerodynamic maps
  8. 6.8Regulatory CFD limits
  9. 6.9Workflows
  10. 6.10Lab: full-vehicle simulation in Star-CCM+
  1. 7.1Moving-ground wind tunnels
  2. 7.2Scale models
  3. 7.3Balances and force measurement
  4. 7.4Pressure measurements
  5. 7.5Flow visualisation
  6. 7.6Blockage corrections
  7. 7.7Wind tunnel–CFD correlation
  8. 7.8Test programmes
  9. 7.9Hour restrictions
  10. 7.10Case study: plan for a wind tunnel test day
  1. 8.1On-track aerodynamic instrumentation
  2. 8.2Pressure rakes
  3. 8.3Flow-visualisation paint
  4. 8.4Load measurement with sensors
  5. 8.5Track–tunnel–CFD correlation
  6. 8.6On-track aerodynamic maps
  7. 8.7Effect of wind
  8. 8.8Aerodynamics in traffic
  9. 8.9Data analysis
  10. 8.10Practical: analysis of pressure rake data
  1. 9.1Carbon fibre composites
  2. 9.2Bodywork panel design
  3. 9.3Aeroelastic stiffness
  4. 9.4Fasteners and joints
  5. 9.5Regulatory deflection tests
  6. 9.6Manufacturing of aerodynamic parts
  7. 9.7Weight and centre of gravity
  8. 9.8Bodywork repair
  9. 9.9Passive safety
  10. 9.10Lab: structural analysis of a wing in ANSYS
  1. 10.1Parametric optimisation
  2. 10.2The adjoint method
  3. 10.3Mesh morphing
  4. 10.4Multi-objective optimisation
  5. 10.5Design of experiments
  6. 10.6Surrogate models
  7. 10.7Machine learning in aerodynamics
  8. 10.8Regulatory constraints
  9. 10.9Integration with vehicle dynamics
  10. 10.10Practical: adjoint optimisation of an aerofoil
  1. 11.1Aerodynamics in GT cars and prototypes
  2. 11.2Balance of Performance (BoP)
  3. 11.3Touring car aerodynamics
  4. 11.4Formula E aerodynamics
  5. 11.5Record vehicles
  6. 11.6Active aerodynamics: 2026 regulations
  7. 11.7Aerodynamics and sustainability
  8. 11.8Transfer to road vehicles
  9. 11.9Trends
  10. 11.10Workshop: aerodynamic package for a GT car
  1. 12.1Definition of the vehicle and regulations
  2. 12.2Aerodynamic targets
  3. 12.3Component design
  4. 12.4CFD simulation
  5. 12.5Wind tunnel test plan
  6. 12.6Structural analysis
  7. 12.7Integration with vehicle dynamics
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, XFOIL, ANSYS Fluent and CATIA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for full-vehicle CFD simulation, wind tunnel testing with scale models and on-track aerodynamic correlation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR), SAE J1594, ISO 8855, FIA GT3 Technical Regulations, SAE J2084.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code and the Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR) applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Simcenter Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, XFOIL, ANSYS Fluent and CATIA, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete aerodynamic package for a racing vehicle, from targets and component design to CFD, wind tunnel test plan and structural analysis, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Aerofoil and wing design
Analyse aerofoils in XFOIL and design a two-element wing.
Floor and diffuser CFD
Simulate a diffuser in OpenFOAM and study ride-height sensitivity.
Full-vehicle simulation
Run a full-vehicle CFD simulation in Star-CCM+ and build an aerodynamic map.
Correlation and optimisation
Plan a wind tunnel test day, analyse pressure rake data and apply adjoint optimisation.
Master's Thesis
Design a complete aerodynamic package for a chosen vehicle and regulations, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

AerodynamicistCFD engineerWind tunnel engineerBodywork designerAerodynamic correlation engineerComposites engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Simcenter Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, XFOIL, ANSYS Fluent and CATIA, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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