Master’s in Rally-Raid T1/T3/T4/T5 Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in T1/T3/T4/T5 rally-raid engineering. 12 modules covering FIA rally-raid regulations, T1 prototypes, T3 lightweight prototypes, T4 production SSVs, T5 trucks, safety by category, balance of performance, navigation and mandatory equipment, component homologation, competition strategy and alternative energies, 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
Interpret the FIA rally-raid technical regulations.
Distinguish the requirements of the T1, T3, T4 and T5 categories.
Design vehicles that comply with each category.
Apply safety and component homologation requirements.
Analyse the balance of performance between technologies.
Plan the technical and sporting strategy of a race.
Assess the feasibility of alternative energies in competition.
Who it's for
- Rally-raid category engineers
- Team technical managers
- Competition SSV preparers
- Competition technical delegates
- Component homologation engineers
- Race support managers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into rally-raid motorsport
What you'll work with
- FIA rally-raid technical regulations (cross-country rally vehicle rules)
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
- FIA International Sporting Code (general sporting rules)
- FIA 8862-2009 (competition seats)
- FIA 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA FT3.5 (safety fuel tanks)
- SolidWorks
- MSC Adams
- MoTeC i2
- OptimumG OptimumLap
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Structure of the World Rally-Raid Championship1.2Appendix J and the rally-raid technical regulations1.3Categories T1, T2, T3, T4 and T51.4Ultimate, Challenger, SSV and truck classes1.5Pre-race technical scrutineering1.6Equivalence of technologies1.7Vehicle technical passport1.8Licences and homologations1.9Sporting versus technical regulations1.10Case study: annotated reading of the T1 regulations
2.1Sub-classes of the T1 category2.2Dimensions and track width2.3Large-diameter tyres2.4Engines and air restrictors2.5Minimum weight and ballast2.6Permitted suspension travel2.7Central tyre inflation2.8Hybrid and electric propulsion2.9Equivalence adjustments2.10Case study: packaging of a four-wheel-drive T1
3.1The Challenger class concept3.2Small-displacement turbo engines3.3Dedicated tubular chassis3.4Minimum weight and distribution3.5Long-travel suspension3.6Intake restrictions3.7Designing for low cost3.8Benchmark constructors3.9Reliability over long stages3.10Practical: preliminary design of a T3 chassis
4.1Homologated production base4.2Modifications permitted by the regulations4.3Preparation kits4.4CVT calibration for rally-raid4.5Chassis and wishbone reinforcements4.6Authorised tyres and wheels4.7Cooling in the dunes4.8Reliability of the production vehicle4.9Costs of a season4.10Workshop: preparing a T4 SSV
5.1Race trucks and fast-support trucks5.2Large-displacement diesel engines5.3Top-speed limitation5.4Rally-raid truck suspension5.5Weight and dimensions5.6Tyres and variable pressure5.7Cab and three-person crew5.8Truck-specific safety5.9Support-truck logistics5.10Case study: configuring a fast-support truck
6.1Homologated roll cages6.2FT safety fuel tanks6.3FIA seats and harnesses6.4Extinguishing systems6.5Beacons and vehicle-to-vehicle alerts6.6Satellite tracking6.7Nets and side protection6.8Driver equipment6.9Checks at scrutineering6.10Practical: safety audit of a T3
7.1Intake restrictors7.2Weights and power-to-weight ratio7.3Power measurement7.4Official data loggers7.5Comparative performance analysis7.6Adjustments over the season7.7Equivalence controversies7.8Performance simulation7.9Impact on vehicle design7.10Case study: equivalence analysis between T1 vehicles
8.1Digital road book8.2Restricted use of GPS8.3Speed-controlled zones8.4Tracking systems8.5Survival equipment8.6Mandatory water reserve8.7Distress beacons8.8Mandatory communication equipment8.9Penalties for non-compliance8.10Laboratory: interpreting a road book
9.1FIA homologation of components9.2Homologation forms9.3Updating the technical passport9.4Approved tyres by category9.5Certified roll cages9.6Expiry of seats and harnesses9.7Fuel tanks and their service life9.8Regulation fuel and sampling9.9Seals and markings9.10Case study: preparing the technical passport
10.1Marathon stages without assistance10.2Assistance between stages10.3Tyre management10.4Risk management10.5Navigation strategy10.6Common technical penalties10.7Fast-support teams10.8Using stage data10.9Applied sporting regulations10.10Case study: strategy for a marathon stage
11.1Regulation biofuels in competition11.2Permitted hybrid architectures11.3Hydrogen in rally-raid vehicles11.4Batteries and range extenders11.5New-energy regulations11.6Dakar transition projects11.7Charging infrastructure at the bivouac11.8Safety of new energies11.9Equivalence with combustion engines11.10Practical: feasibility of a hybrid T3
12.1Choice of category and regulations12.2Analysis of technical constraints12.3Vehicle concept12.4Safety package design12.5Regulation-compliant powertrain12.6Homologation plan12.7Competition strategy12.8Season 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 SolidWorks, MSC Adams, MoTeC i2 and OptimumG OptimumLap, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: rally-raid technical scrutineering, preparation of SSVs for competition and balance-of-performance analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA rally-raid technical regulations; FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J; FIA International Sporting Code; FIA 8862-2009; FIA 8853-2016; FIA FT3.5.
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 SolidWorks, MSC Adams, MoTeC i2 and OptimumG OptimumLap, 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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