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.
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
Classify off-road vehicles according to European regulations.
Apply type-approval procedures.
Obtain type-approval for tractors and L-category vehicles.
Plan active and passive safety tests.
Process modifications to off-road vehicles.
Manage functional safety within type-approval.
Lead homologation projects with control of deadlines and costs.
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.
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
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Categories M, N, O and their G suffix1.2Off-road vehicles under Regulation 2018/8581.3Category L vehicles: quads and UTVs1.4Tractors and agricultural vehicles1.5Self-propelled machinery and its registration1.6Special vehicles for construction works1.7Technical criteria for off-road vehicles1.8Implications of each category1.9Common classification errors1.10Case study: classification of a work UTV
2.1Framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/8582.2Whole-vehicle type-approval2.3Multi-stage type-approval of bodied vehicles2.4Small series and national type-approval2.5Individual vehicle approval2.6Technical services and authorities2.7Conformity of production2.8Certificate of conformity2.9Registration and licensing2.10Lab: type-approval route for a bodied 4×4
3.1Regulation (EU) 168/20133.2Subcategories L6e and L7e3.3Quads for road and agricultural use3.4Functional safety requirements3.5Vehicle construction requirements3.6Emissions of L-category vehicles3.7Braking of L-category vehicles3.8Restrictions on road use3.9Off-road L-category vehicles in competition3.10Case study: type-approval of an agricultural quad
4.1Regulation (EU) 167/20134.2Categories T, C, R and S4.3Agricultural braking requirements4.4Tractor protective structures4.5OECD test codes4.6Maximum design speed4.7Agricultural lighting and signalling4.8Seats and driver's space4.9Tractor masses and dimensions4.10Practical exercise: requirements list for a narrow-track tractor
5.1Track braking tests5.2Lateral stability and rollover5.3Steering and steering-wheel effort5.4Lighting and installation of lamps5.5Driver's field of vision5.6Tyres for mixed use5.7Speedometers and speed limiters5.8Audible warning devices and signals5.9Test instrumentation5.10Lab: braking test of an off-road vehicle
6.1Strength of cab structures6.2Seat and seat-belt anchorages6.3Occupant protection in rollover6.4External projections and edges6.5Lateral and rear protective devices6.6Towing devices6.7Fuel tanks6.8Child restraint systems6.9Test documentation6.10Practical exercise: verification of seat-belt anchorages
7.1Vehicle modifications manual7.2Suspension lift7.3Tyre and wheel changes7.4Winches and bumpers7.5Snorkels and intake modifications7.6Roof racks and luggage carriers7.7Conversion to motor caravan7.8Conformity and laboratory reports7.9Technical inspection of modifications7.10Case study: modification of an expedition off-road vehicle
8.1Safety of competition vehicles8.2FIA technical regulations8.3Homologation of safety components8.4Registration of rally vehicles8.5Technical passports for competition8.6Scrutineering at events8.7Insurance for competition8.8Transport of competition vehicles8.9Support vehicles8.10Case study: road legalisation of a rally-raid vehicle
9.1Requirements for electronic systems9.2Functional safety in agricultural vehicles9.3Functional safety in L-category vehicles9.4UNECE Regulation No. 79 on steering9.5UNECE Regulation No. 13 on braking9.6Documentation of complex systems9.7Functional safety audit9.8Cybersecurity in type-approval9.9Software updates and type-approval9.10Practical exercise: dossier for a complex electronic system
10.1Periodic technical inspection10.2Inspection of agricultural vehicles10.3Common defects in off-road vehicles10.4Maintenance of safety systems10.5Unauthorised modifications10.6Owner's responsibility10.7Accidents and expert assessment10.8Withdrawal of type-approvals10.9Historic off-road vehicles10.10Case study: analysis of roadworthiness test (ITV) defects
11.1Planning a type-approval11.2Selecting the technical service11.3Test plan11.4Type-approval budget11.5Technical documentation of the file11.6Management of non-conformities11.7Coordination with engineering11.8Deadlines and risks11.9Regulatory changes11.10Case study: type-approval plan for a small series
12.1Selection of the vehicle12.2Classification and category12.3Requirements map12.4Safety test plan12.5Final technical documentation12.6Analysis of possible modifications12.7Budget and timeline12.8Process risks12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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.
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 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.
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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