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Master'sOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Master’s in Off-Road Safety and Type-Approval Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in off-road safety and homologation engineering, structured in 12 modules covering vehicle classification, EU type-approval under Regulations (EU) 2018/858, 167/2013 and 168/2013, active and passive safety testing, off-road vehicle modifications, functional safety and homologation project management, 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

Classify off-road vehicles according to European regulations.

02

Apply type-approval procedures.

03

Obtain type-approval for tractors and L-category vehicles.

04

Plan active and passive safety tests.

05

Process modifications to off-road vehicles.

06

Manage functional safety within type-approval.

07

Lead homologation projects with control of deadlines and costs.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Vehicle homologation engineers looking to deepen their expertise in off-road vehicles and machinery.
  • Technicians at technical services and test laboratories.
  • Engineers handling vehicle modifications and conversions.
  • Roadworthiness (ITV) inspectors.
  • Vehicle safety engineers.
  • Homologation consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join off-road vehicle manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (type-approval of motor vehicles)
  • Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (agricultural and forestry vehicles)
  • Regulation (EU) 168/2013 (L-category vehicles)
  • Royal Decree 866/2010 (processing of vehicle modifications, Spain)
  • Royal Decree 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulations, Spain)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 13 (braking)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 79 (steering equipment)
  • OECD Standard Codes for tractors (official tractor testing)
  • Microsoft Project
  • AutoCAD
  • MATLAB
  • Jama Connect
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Categories M, N, O and their G suffix
  2. 1.2Off-road vehicles under Regulation 2018/858
  3. 1.3Category L vehicles: quads and UTVs
  4. 1.4Tractors and agricultural vehicles
  5. 1.5Self-propelled machinery and its registration
  6. 1.6Special vehicles for construction works
  7. 1.7Technical criteria for off-road vehicles
  8. 1.8Implications of each category
  9. 1.9Common classification errors
  10. 1.10Case study: classification of a work UTV
  1. 2.1Framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/858
  2. 2.2Whole-vehicle type-approval
  3. 2.3Multi-stage type-approval of bodied vehicles
  4. 2.4Small series and national type-approval
  5. 2.5Individual vehicle approval
  6. 2.6Technical services and authorities
  7. 2.7Conformity of production
  8. 2.8Certificate of conformity
  9. 2.9Registration and licensing
  10. 2.10Lab: type-approval route for a bodied 4×4
  1. 3.1Regulation (EU) 168/2013
  2. 3.2Subcategories L6e and L7e
  3. 3.3Quads for road and agricultural use
  4. 3.4Functional safety requirements
  5. 3.5Vehicle construction requirements
  6. 3.6Emissions of L-category vehicles
  7. 3.7Braking of L-category vehicles
  8. 3.8Restrictions on road use
  9. 3.9Off-road L-category vehicles in competition
  10. 3.10Case study: type-approval of an agricultural quad
  1. 4.1Regulation (EU) 167/2013
  2. 4.2Categories T, C, R and S
  3. 4.3Agricultural braking requirements
  4. 4.4Tractor protective structures
  5. 4.5OECD test codes
  6. 4.6Maximum design speed
  7. 4.7Agricultural lighting and signalling
  8. 4.8Seats and driver's space
  9. 4.9Tractor masses and dimensions
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: requirements list for a narrow-track tractor
  1. 5.1Track braking tests
  2. 5.2Lateral stability and rollover
  3. 5.3Steering and steering-wheel effort
  4. 5.4Lighting and installation of lamps
  5. 5.5Driver's field of vision
  6. 5.6Tyres for mixed use
  7. 5.7Speedometers and speed limiters
  8. 5.8Audible warning devices and signals
  9. 5.9Test instrumentation
  10. 5.10Lab: braking test of an off-road vehicle
  1. 6.1Strength of cab structures
  2. 6.2Seat and seat-belt anchorages
  3. 6.3Occupant protection in rollover
  4. 6.4External projections and edges
  5. 6.5Lateral and rear protective devices
  6. 6.6Towing devices
  7. 6.7Fuel tanks
  8. 6.8Child restraint systems
  9. 6.9Test documentation
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: verification of seat-belt anchorages
  1. 7.1Vehicle modifications manual
  2. 7.2Suspension lift
  3. 7.3Tyre and wheel changes
  4. 7.4Winches and bumpers
  5. 7.5Snorkels and intake modifications
  6. 7.6Roof racks and luggage carriers
  7. 7.7Conversion to motor caravan
  8. 7.8Conformity and laboratory reports
  9. 7.9Technical inspection of modifications
  10. 7.10Case study: modification of an expedition off-road vehicle
  1. 8.1Safety of competition vehicles
  2. 8.2FIA technical regulations
  3. 8.3Homologation of safety components
  4. 8.4Registration of rally vehicles
  5. 8.5Technical passports for competition
  6. 8.6Scrutineering at events
  7. 8.7Insurance for competition
  8. 8.8Transport of competition vehicles
  9. 8.9Support vehicles
  10. 8.10Case study: road legalisation of a rally-raid vehicle
  1. 9.1Requirements for electronic systems
  2. 9.2Functional safety in agricultural vehicles
  3. 9.3Functional safety in L-category vehicles
  4. 9.4UNECE Regulation No. 79 on steering
  5. 9.5UNECE Regulation No. 13 on braking
  6. 9.6Documentation of complex systems
  7. 9.7Functional safety audit
  8. 9.8Cybersecurity in type-approval
  9. 9.9Software updates and type-approval
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: dossier for a complex electronic system
  1. 10.1Periodic technical inspection
  2. 10.2Inspection of agricultural vehicles
  3. 10.3Common defects in off-road vehicles
  4. 10.4Maintenance of safety systems
  5. 10.5Unauthorised modifications
  6. 10.6Owner's responsibility
  7. 10.7Accidents and expert assessment
  8. 10.8Withdrawal of type-approvals
  9. 10.9Historic off-road vehicles
  10. 10.10Case study: analysis of roadworthiness test (ITV) defects
  1. 11.1Planning a type-approval
  2. 11.2Selecting the technical service
  3. 11.3Test plan
  4. 11.4Type-approval budget
  5. 11.5Technical documentation of the file
  6. 11.6Management of non-conformities
  7. 11.7Coordination with engineering
  8. 11.8Deadlines and risks
  9. 11.9Regulatory changes
  10. 11.10Case study: type-approval plan for a small series
  1. 12.1Selection of the vehicle
  2. 12.2Classification and category
  3. 12.3Requirements map
  4. 12.4Safety test plan
  5. 12.5Final technical documentation
  6. 12.6Analysis of possible modifications
  7. 12.7Budget and timeline
  8. 12.8Process risks
  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 the intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Project, AutoCAD, MATLAB and Jama Connect, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for track braking tests, processing of off-road vehicle modifications, and type-approval of tractors and quads. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Regulation (EU) 167/2013, Regulation (EU) 168/2013, Royal Decree 866/2010, Royal Decree 2822/1998, UNECE Regulation No. 13, UNECE Regulation No. 79, OECD Standard Codes for tractors.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Regulation (EU) 167/2013 and Regulation (EU) 168/2013 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Microsoft Project, AutoCAD, MATLAB and Jama Connect, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete homologation plan for an off-road vehicle, from classification to the safety test plan and technical file, 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.

Vehicle classification
Select the vehicle and determine its category and applicable type-approval route.
Requirements map
Compile the regulatory requirements under the relevant EU and UNECE regulations.
Safety test plan
Define the active and passive safety tests with the technical service.
Technical file and planning
Prepare the technical documentation, budget, timeline and risk analysis.
Master's Thesis
Present the complete homologation project, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Vehicle homologation engineerTechnical service test technicianVehicle modifications engineerRoadworthiness (ITV) inspectorVehicle safety engineerHomologation consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running 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 Microsoft Project, AutoCAD, MATLAB and Jama Connect, 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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