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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in Circuit Design and FIA Safety Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in circuit design and FIA safety engineering, structured in 12 modules covering homologation, track geometry, surfacing and drainage, run-off areas, barriers, circuit facilities, spectator safety, race control and street circuits, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand FIA and FIM circuit homologation requirements.

02

Design layouts that combine spectacle and safety.

03

Size run-off areas, gravel traps and protective barriers.

04

Apply trajectory and impact simulation.

05

Plan paddock, pit and medical facilities.

06

Manage operational safety during events.

07

Develop the preliminary design of a circuit capable of homologation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Circuit design engineers.
  • Circuit safety engineers.
  • Circuit directors.
  • Track homologation consultants.
  • Civil engineers working on sports facilities.
  • Circuit operations managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to work for circuit owners and operators.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIA International Sporting Code, Appendix O (circuit design and homologation)
  • FIA International Sporting Code, Appendix H (circuit safety and race supervision)
  • FIM Standards for Circuits, Road Racing (motorcycle circuit requirements)
  • EN 1317-2 (road restraint systems: performance and impact tests)
  • Spanish Technical Building Code, CTE (building safety requirements)
  • Spanish Fire Safety Regulation for Industrial Establishments (fire protection)
  • Spanish Law 19/2007 (prevention of violence at sporting events)
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • FIA Circuit and Safety Analysis System (CSAS)
  • ANSYS LS-DYNA
  • QGIS
  • Revit
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1FIA homologation grades
  2. 1.2FIM requirements for road racing circuits
  3. 1.3Inspection and licensing process
  4. 1.4Historical evolution of safety
  5. 1.5Permanent and street circuits
  6. 1.6Mixed car and motorcycle use
  7. 1.7Track layout typologies
  8. 1.8Stakeholders in circuit design
  9. 1.9Economic feasibility of the project
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a homologated circuit
  1. 2.1Track length and width
  2. 2.2Corner radii and sequences
  3. 2.3Banking and gradients
  4. 2.4Straights and overtaking zones
  5. 2.5Start line and grid
  6. 2.6The pit lane and its geometry
  7. 2.7Visibility and sight lines
  8. 2.8Design for several categories
  9. 2.9Integration with the terrain
  10. 2.10Workshop: conceptual layout in Civil 3D
  1. 3.1Asphalt mixes for circuits
  2. 3.2Texture and grip
  3. 3.3Surface regularity of the pavement
  4. 3.4Kerbs and edging
  5. 3.5Surface drainage of the track
  6. 3.6Asphalt maintenance
  7. 3.7Grip testing
  8. 3.8Paint and track markings
  9. 3.9Resurfacing and planning
  10. 3.10Practical: pavement specification for a track
  1. 4.1Analysis of exit trajectories
  2. 4.2Gravel run-off areas
  3. 4.3Asphalt run-off areas
  4. 4.4High-friction surfaces
  5. 4.5Impact angles and speeds
  6. 4.6The FIA CSAS tool
  7. 4.7Different requirements for motorcycles
  8. 4.8Deceleration and distances
  9. 4.9Gravel trap maintenance
  10. 4.10Lab: calculating the run-off at a corner
  1. 5.1Concrete walls
  2. 5.2Tyre barriers
  3. 5.3TecPro-type barriers
  4. 5.4Homologated energy-absorbing systems
  5. 5.5Steel barriers and EN 1317
  6. 5.6Spectator protection fencing
  7. 5.7Air fences for motorcycle racing
  8. 5.8Barrier testing
  9. 5.9Impact simulation with LS-DYNA
  10. 5.10Practical: barrier selection for a fast corner
  1. 6.1The pit building
  2. 6.2Paddock and circulation
  3. 6.3Control tower
  4. 6.4Circuit medical centre
  5. 6.5Marshal posts
  6. 6.6Media and hospitality areas
  7. 6.7Access and car parks
  8. 6.8Grandstands and spectators
  9. 6.9Electrical and communications installations
  10. 6.10Case study: layout of a paddock
  1. 7.1Spectator areas and distances
  2. 7.2Evacuation and emergencies
  3. 7.3Fire protection
  4. 7.4Crowd control
  5. 7.5Marshal safety
  6. 7.6Emergency vehicle access
  7. 7.7Signage and public address
  8. 7.8Self-protection plans
  9. 7.9Coordination with the security forces
  10. 7.10Workshop: evacuation plan for a grandstand
  1. 8.1Race control and race direction
  2. 8.2Signalling lights and panels
  3. 8.3Digital flag panels
  4. 8.4Timing and transponders
  5. 8.5CCTV and track coverage
  6. 8.6Communication with marshals
  7. 8.7Safety car and intervention vehicles
  8. 8.8Radio communication systems
  9. 8.9Incident management
  10. 8.10Practical: CCTV coverage plan
  1. 9.1Particularities of street layouts
  2. 9.2Temporary barrier installation
  3. 9.3Impact on the city and mobility
  4. 9.4Urban road surfaces and their adaptation
  5. 9.5Temporary event facilities
  6. 9.6Public safety in the streets
  7. 9.7Permits and public authorities
  8. 9.8Dismantling and reinstatement
  9. 9.9Costs and schedule
  10. 9.10Case study: a street circuit for electric formula racing
  1. 10.1Environmental impact assessment
  2. 10.2Noise and its mitigation
  3. 10.3Water management
  4. 10.4Renewable energy at circuits
  5. 10.5Sustainable spectator mobility
  6. 10.6Biodiversity and landscape
  7. 10.7FIA environmental accreditation
  8. 10.8Waste management
  9. 10.9Relations with the local community
  10. 10.10Practical: noise study for a circuit
  1. 11.1Circuit business models
  2. 11.2Calendar of events and uses
  3. 11.3Facility maintenance
  4. 11.4Driving schools and track days
  5. 11.5Insurance and liability
  6. 11.6Staff and volunteers
  7. 11.7Relations with promoters
  8. 11.8Improvement investments
  9. 11.9Operating indicators
  10. 11.10Case study: business plan for a circuit
  1. 12.1Site and constraints
  2. 12.2Programme of uses
  3. 12.3Layout and geometry
  4. 12.4Analysis of exit trajectories
  5. 12.5Design of protection systems
  6. 12.6Facilities and paddock
  7. 12.7Safety and emergency plan
  8. 12.8Budget and feasibility
  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 delivered 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 fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD Civil 3D, FIA Circuit and Safety Analysis System (CSAS), ANSYS LS-DYNA, QGIS and Revit, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: laying out a circuit with run-off analysis, simulating track exit trajectories and assessing protective barriers at a fast corner. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: FIA International Sporting Code (Appendix O), FIA International Sporting Code (Appendix H), FIM Standards for Circuits (Road Racing), EN 1317-2, Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE), Spanish Fire Safety Regulation for Industrial Establishments, Spanish Law 19/2007 against violence in sport.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of FIA International Sporting Code Appendices O and H and the FIM Standards for Circuits applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:AutoCAD Civil 3D, FIA Circuit and Safety Analysis System (CSAS), ANSYS LS-DYNA, QGIS and Revit, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The preliminary design of a circuit capable of homologation, 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.

Site and programme
Analyse the site and its constraints and define the programme of uses.
Layout and geometry
Design the track layout and its geometry.
Run-off and protection
Analyse exit trajectories and design run-off areas and protection systems.
Facilities, safety and budget
Plan the facilities and paddock, the safety and emergency plan, and the budget and feasibility.
Master's Thesis
Present the complete circuit preliminary design in the thesis report, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Circuit design engineerCircuit safety engineerCircuit directorTrack homologation consultantSports facilities civil engineerCircuit operations manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's 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 AutoCAD Civil 3D, FIA Circuit and Safety Analysis System (CSAS), ANSYS LS-DYNA, QGIS and Revit, 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 degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a suitable computer and internet connection, 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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