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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in Kinematics & Compliance and Advanced 7-Post Rig Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in kinematics & compliance and advanced 7-post rig engineering: 12 modules covering vehicle dynamics test rigs, suspension kinematics and compliance, K&C and seven-post rigs, signal processing, damping optimisation, track and simulation correlation, vehicle modelling, instrumentation and test laboratory management, with an assigned technical tutor.

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

Understand the role of test rigs in vehicle development.

02

Measure and interpret suspension kinematics and compliance.

03

Plan tests on K&C and seven-post rigs.

04

Process signals in the time and frequency domains.

05

Optimise damping through design of experiments.

06

Correlate rig, track and simulation results.

07

Manage test laboratories to quality criteria.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Test rig engineers in motorsport or automotive test laboratories.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineers who rely on K&C and seven-post data.
  • Correlation engineers linking rig, track and simulation.
  • Instrumentation engineers working with load cells and sensors.
  • Laboratory managers responsible for rig operations and quality.
  • Suspension engineers wanting to validate designs on the rig.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
  • SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
  • FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (testing restrictions)
  • ISO 2631 (vibration)
  • SAE J2047 (tyre testing)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Adams Car
  • nCode GlyphWorks
  • MoTeC i2
  • Python
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1. The role of rigs in development
  2. 1.2. Kinematics and compliance (K&C) rig
  3. 1.3. Seven-post rig
  4. 1.4. Four-post rigs and their evolution
  5. 1.5. Damper dynamometers
  6. 1.6. Tyre rigs
  7. 1.7. Regulatory restrictions on testing
  8. 1.8. Costs and planning
  9. 1.9. Integration with simulation
  10. 1.10. Case study: development plan using rigs
  1. 2.1. K&C definitions
  2. 2.2. Camber and toe versus travel
  3. 2.3. Measured roll centre
  4. 2.4. Measured anti-dive and anti-squat
  5. 2.5. Motion ratios
  6. 2.6. Bump steer and roll steer
  7. 2.7. Steering curves
  8. 2.8. Measured Ackermann
  9. 2.9. Repeatability
  10. 2.10. Lab: processing kinematic data
  1. 3.1. The concept of compliance
  2. 3.2. Lateral and longitudinal stiffness
  3. 3.3. Compliance steer
  4. 3.4. Compliance camber
  5. 3.5. Bush and rod-end stiffness
  6. 3.6. Upright and wishbone stiffness
  7. 3.7. Influence on handling
  8. 3.8. Chassis torsional stiffness
  9. 3.9. Design to minimise compliance
  10. 3.10. Practical: calculating compliance steer from K&C data
  1. 4.1. Architecture of a K&C rig
  2. 4.2. Measurement systems
  3. 4.3. Wheel pads
  4. 4.4. Vertical travel tests
  5. 4.5. Roll tests
  6. 4.6. Lateral and longitudinal force tests
  7. 4.7. Aligning moment tests
  8. 4.8. Rig calibration
  9. 4.9. Results reporting
  10. 4.10. Lab: planning a K&C test campaign
  1. 5.1. Seven-post configuration
  2. 5.2. Hydraulic actuators and control
  3. 5.3. Aero load actuators
  4. 5.4. Track replay
  5. 5.5. Excitation signals
  6. 5.6. Measurement of load variation
  7. 5.7. Aerodynamic platform
  8. 5.8. Iterative replay control
  9. 5.9. Rig safety
  10. 5.10. Practical: defining a seven-post test programme
  1. 6.1. Sampling and filtering
  2. 6.2. Frequency analysis
  3. 6.3. Frequency response functions
  4. 6.4. Coherence
  5. 6.5. Experimental modal analysis
  6. 6.6. Statistical analysis
  7. 6.7. Performance metrics
  8. 6.8. MATLAB and nCode tools
  9. 6.9. Visualisation
  10. 6.10. Lab: frequency response functions in MATLAB
  1. 7.1. Mechanical grip metrics
  2. 7.2. Aerodynamic platform metrics
  3. 7.3. Damping trade-offs
  4. 7.4. Set-up sweeps
  5. 7.5. Design of experiments
  6. 7.6. Inerters on the rig
  7. 7.7. Bump stops and non-linearities
  8. 7.8. Comparison of solutions
  9. 7.9. Track validation
  10. 7.10. Practical: design of experiments for damping
  1. 8.1. Track data acquisition
  2. 8.2. Generation of track profiles
  3. 8.3. Rig–track correlation
  4. 8.4. Identified vehicle models
  5. 8.5. Updating multibody models
  6. 8.6. Vehicle digital twin
  7. 8.7. Driving simulators
  8. 8.8. Uncertainty
  9. 8.9. Iterative development loop
  10. 8.10. Case study: correlation between seven-post rig and track
  1. 9.1. Linear vehicle models
  2. 9.2. Vertical tyre models
  3. 9.3. Damper models
  4. 9.4. Aerodynamic load models
  5. 9.5. System identification
  6. 9.6. Models in Simulink
  7. 9.7. Multibody models
  8. 9.8. Validation against rig data
  9. 9.9. Use in optimisation
  10. 9.10. Lab: parameter identification of a model
  1. 10.1. Strain gauges
  2. 10.2. Wheel load cells
  3. 10.3. Laser ride-height sensors
  4. 10.4. Triaxial accelerometers
  5. 10.5. Linear potentiometers
  6. 10.6. Data acquisition systems
  7. 10.7. Calibration
  8. 10.8. Telemetry
  9. 10.9. Data management
  10. 10.10. Practical: calibrating a load cell
  1. 11.1. Laboratory organisation
  2. 11.2. Test planning
  3. 11.3. ISO/IEC 17025 quality
  4. 11.4. Costs and rates
  5. 11.5. Safety on hydraulic rigs
  6. 11.6. Rig maintenance
  7. 11.7. Testing regulations by category
  8. 11.8. Rig suppliers
  9. 11.9. Trends
  10. 11.10. Workshop: laboratory quality plan
  1. 12.1. Definition of the vehicle
  2. 12.2. K&C test plan
  3. 12.3. Analysis of K&C results
  4. 12.4. Seven-post test plan
  5. 12.5. Dynamic analysis
  6. 12.6. Correlation with simulation
  7. 12.7. Improvement proposal
  8. 12.8. Conclusions
  9. 12.9. Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10. Master'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 MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for kinematics and compliance campaigns, dynamic testing on a seven-post rig and correlation between rig, track and simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 8855, SAE J670, ISO/IEC 17025, FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (testing restrictions), ISO 2631, SAE J2047.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 8855, SAE J670 and ISO/IEC 17025 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete K&C and seven-post test programme for a vehicle, from test planning and results analysis to simulation correlation and improvement proposals, 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.

K&C campaign planning
Plan a K&C test campaign and process the resulting kinematic data.
Compliance analysis
Calculate compliance steer and camber from measured K&C data.
Seven-post programme
Define a seven-post test programme and design damping experiments.
Rig–track correlation
Identify model parameters and correlate seven-post results with track data.
Master's Thesis
Run a full K&C and seven-post study of a vehicle with improvement proposals, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Test rig engineerVehicle dynamics engineerCorrelation engineerInstrumentation engineerLaboratory managerSuspension 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 MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, 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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