Master’s in Racing Reliability Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in motorsport reliability engineering, structured in 12 modules covering reliability statistics, failure mode analysis, fatigue, accelerated testing, component lifing and root cause analysis, with an assigned technical tutor.
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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
Apply reliability statistics to motorsport components.
Build design and process FMEAs for critical parts.
Design accelerated tests representative of a race.
Manage the service life and mileage of components.
Investigate failures using root cause methodologies.
Balance performance, weight and reliability in design.
Draw up a reliability programme for a full season.
Who it's for
- Motorsport reliability engineers looking to formalise their statistical and analytical methods.
- Quality engineers for racing parts.
- Durability test engineers running rig and dynamometer programmes.
- Component lifing managers responsible for serialised parts.
- Failure analysis engineers investigating breakages and retirements.
- Design engineers who want to build reliability into new parts.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join circuit racing and rally teams.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60812 (failure mode and effects analysis)
- IEC 61025 (fault tree analysis)
- IEC 61078 (reliability block diagrams)
- IEC 61703 (mathematical expressions for reliability and availability)
- IEC 62506 (accelerated product testing)
- SAE J1739 (FMEA in design and manufacturing)
- AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook (harmonised FMEA methodology)
- MIL-HDBK-217F (reliability prediction of electronic equipment)
- ReliaSoft Weibull++
- ReliaSoft BlockSim
- Minitab
- Python with reliability
- MATLAB
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Cost of a retirement in points and budget1.2Critical components of a racing car1.3Differences between production and racing reliability1.4Life cycle of a part over a season1.5Regulatory limits on engines and gearboxes1.6Reliability culture within the team1.7MTBF and retirement rate indicators1.8Relationship between weight and safety margin1.9Sources of failure data1.10Case study: analysis of a season's retirements
2.1Reliability and hazard functions2.2The Weibull distribution and its parameters2.3Exponential and lognormal distributions2.4Censored data and suspensions2.5Maximum likelihood estimation2.6Confidence intervals2.7Probability plots2.8Mixed failure mode models2.9Small sample sizes in racing2.10Lab: Weibull analysis of real data
3.1Design FMEA3.2Process FMEA3.3The seven-step AIAG-VDA methodology3.4Fault trees according to IEC 610253.5Reliability block diagrams3.6Criticality analysis3.7Common cause failures3.8Failure-based design review3.9Integration with change management3.10Workshop: FMEA of a transmission assembly
4.1S-N curves and the effect of mean stress4.2Miner's rule and its limitations4.3Rainflow counting of loads4.4Load spectra from telemetry4.5Multiaxial fatigue in components4.6Stress raisers and surface finish4.7Fatigue of welded joints4.8Fatigue in composite materials4.9Crack growth and damage tolerance4.10Practical: fatigue life of a suspension arm
5.1Principles of accelerated testing5.2Thermal and mechanical acceleration models5.3Suspension and transmission test rigs5.4HALT and HASS testing5.5Defining race-equivalent cycles5.6Instrumentation and failure criteria5.7Seven-post rig testing5.8Engine validation on the dynamometer5.9Planning according to IEC 625065.10Lab: designing an accelerated test
6.1Lifing by kilometres and by cycles6.2Databases of serialised parts6.3Telemetry-based damage tracking6.4Inspection by non-destructive testing6.5Component retirement criteria6.6Stock management and part rotation6.7Repair and re-certification6.8Traceability between events6.9Fleet reporting to engineering6.10Case study: life plan for a gearbox
7.1Failures in harnesses and connectors7.2Vibration and electronic reliability7.3Prediction with MIL-HDBK-217F7.4Thermal management of electronics7.5Sensor failures and redundancy7.6Reliability of hybrid systems7.7Diagnosing intermittent faults7.8Quality of electronic solder joints7.9Environmental testing of electronics7.10Practical: failure analysis of a harness
8.1Problem solving with 8D8.2Ishikawa diagrams8.3Five whys applied to technical failures8.4Fractography and reading fracture surfaces8.5Metallographic failure analysis8.6Using telemetry in the investigation8.7Reconstructing the failure sequence8.8Corrective actions and verification8.9Communication with suppliers8.10Case study: driveshaft failure during a race
9.1Safety margins and design factors9.2Load-strength interference analysis9.3Robust design and the Taguchi method9.4Material selection for reliability9.5Redundancy versus weight9.6Maintainability and pit-stop change time9.7Reliability of bolted joints9.8Tolerance management and reliability9.9Formal design reviews9.10Workshop: redesigning a part with a recurring failure
10.1Reviewing telemetry to detect degradation10.2Operating limits and alarms10.3Management of engines and power units10.4Risk decisions during the race10.5Preparation between sessions10.6Checklists and assembly procedures10.7Human error and its prevention10.8Reliability in endurance racing10.9Lessons learned per event10.10Practical: reliability plan for a 24-hour race
11.1Reliability growth with the Crow-AMSAA model11.2Reliability targets by system11.3Reliability allocation11.4Test budget and cost cap11.5Indicators for technical management11.6Managing critical suppliers11.7Internal quality audits11.8Failure data management tools11.9Continuous improvement between seasons11.10Case study: annual programme for a team
12.1Selecting the system under study12.2Data collection and cleansing12.3Failure mode analysis12.4Statistical life modelling12.5Accelerated test proposal12.6Life management plan12.7Design improvement proposal12.8Economic and sporting evaluation12.9Master'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 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 ReliaSoft Weibull++, ReliaSoft BlockSim, Minitab, Python with reliability and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: Weibull analysis of component failures over a season, accelerated rig testing of a suspension part and root cause investigation of a race retirement. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEC 60812, IEC 61025, IEC 61078, IEC 61703, IEC 62506, SAE J1739, AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook, MIL-HDBK-217F.
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 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.
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 ReliaSoft Weibull++, ReliaSoft BlockSim, Minitab, Python with reliability and MATLAB, 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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