Master’s in Off-Road and Rally-Raid Vehicles Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in off-road and rally-raid vehicle engineering. 12 modules covering the raid vehicle concept, chassis and structure, long-travel suspension, powertrain, tyres and sand traction, electronics and navigation, reliability, crew safety, logistics and support, testing and set-up, and sustainability, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define the technical requirements of a rally-raid vehicle.
Design tubular chassis with appropriate stiffness and repairability.
Set up long-travel suspension for different terrains.
Select reliable, efficient powertrains.
Analyse navigation and telemetry data from a stage.
Apply FIA safety requirements.
Plan team logistics and support.
Who it's for
- Rally-raid vehicle engineers
- Track and data engineers
- Tubular chassis designers
- Competition suspension specialists
- Team logistics managers
- Race support technicians
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into off-road motorsport
What you'll work with
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
- FIA rally-raid technical regulations (cross-country rally vehicle rules)
- FIA 8862-2009 (competition seats)
- FIA 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA FT3.5 (safety fuel tanks)
- FIA International Sporting Code (general sporting rules)
- MSC Adams
- SolidWorks
- MoTeC i2
- Ansys Mechanical
- MATLAB/Simulink
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1History of rally-raid and the Dakar1.2Prototypes, SSVs, trucks and motorcycles1.3Stage, marathon and dune requirements1.44×4 versus 4×2 architecture1.5Packaging and mass distribution1.6Reliability targets1.7Development cycle of a prototype1.8Budgets and team structure1.9Benchmarking winning vehicles1.10Case study: specification of a raid prototype
2.1Tubular chassis versus derived monocoque2.225CrMo4 steels and TIG welding2.3Torsional stiffness of the assembly2.4Suspension mounting points2.5Underbody protection2.6Composite panels2.7Accessibility for repairs during a stage2.8Structural analysis by FEM2.9Dimensional control of the chassis2.10Workshop: measuring torsional stiffness
3.1Long-travel double wishbones3.2Bypass dampers3.3Twin dampers per wheel3.4Hydraulic bump stops3.5Progressive-rate springs3.6Anti-dive geometry under braking3.7Damper cooling3.8Set-up according to terrain3.9Suspension telemetry3.10Laboratory: damper on a test bench
4.1Turbocharged engines with air restrictor4.2Diesel, petrol and hybrids4.3Cooling in the dunes4.4Air filtration in extreme dust4.5Sequential gearboxes4.6Differentials and torque distribution4.7Use of renewable fuels4.8Fuel consumption and stage range4.9Engine reliability under high load4.10Practical: sizing the fuel tank for 800 km
5.1Dedicated raid tyres5.2Central tyre inflation systems5.3Traction in sand and dunes5.4Punctures and change strategies5.5Beadlock wheels and bead retention5.6Quick wheel change5.7Sinkage in soft ground5.8Tyre choice by stage5.9Wear and temperature5.10Case study: tyre pressure strategy in the dunes
6.1The road book and how to read it6.2Satellite tracking systems6.3GPS restrictions6.4Electronic dashboards6.5Data logging6.6Rugged sensors for dust and vibration6.7Wiring looms for harsh environments6.8On-board communications6.9Electronic safety systems6.10Laboratory: analysing data from a stage
7.1FMEA of vehicle systems7.2Accelerated durability testing7.3Repeated-impact fatigue7.4Vibration and component mounting7.5Dust ingress7.6Behaviour at extreme temperatures7.7Repairs during a stage7.8Preventive replacement plans7.9Failure analysis during the race7.10Practical: FMEA of the front axle assembly
8.1Homologated roll cage8.2Seats and harnesses8.3Head restraint systems8.4Fire extinguishing systems8.5Safety fuel tanks8.6Thermal protection of the cockpit8.7Driver personal equipment8.8Beacons and emergency communications8.9Rescue procedures8.10Case study: pre-scrutineering check
9.1Support trucks9.2Organising the bivouac9.3Spare-parts planning9.4Technical team structure9.5International logistics for equipment9.6ATA carnets and customs9.7Fuel management9.8Team communications9.9Budget for an entry9.10Case study: logistics of a Dakar team
10.1Planning desert tests10.2Suspension set-up10.3Simulation before testing10.4Driver evaluation10.5Analysing test data10.6Comparing configurations10.7Reliability in long tests10.8Final adjustments before the race10.9Writing technical reports10.10Practical: three-day test plan
11.1Dakar energy transition programmes11.2Biofuels and e-fuels11.3Hybrids and hydrogen in competition11.4Environmental impact of a race11.5Waste at the bivouac11.6Carbon footprint of a team11.7FIA environmental requirements11.8Responsible environmental communication11.9Sponsorship and sustainability11.10Case study: carbon footprint of a team
12.1Definition of the vehicle and category12.2Mission requirements12.3Chassis design12.4Suspension and tyres12.5Powertrain selection12.6Safety and equipment12.7Test plan12.8Logistics and budget12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MSC Adams, SolidWorks, MoTeC i2, Ansys Mechanical and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: set-up tests in the desert, damper bench tests and analysis of stage data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J; FIA rally-raid technical regulations; FIA 8862-2009; FIA 8853-2016; FIA FT3.5; FIA International Sporting Code.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
- 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.
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 MSC Adams, SolidWorks, MoTeC i2, Ansys Mechanical and MATLAB/Simulink, 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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