Master’s in Racing Cockpit and SimRacing Design
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in racing cockpit and simracing design, structured in 12 modules covering driver biomechanics, FIA cockpit safety, ergonomics, steering wheels and HMI, structures and composites, driving simulators, force feedback, driver data analysis, esports and product development under the FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J and FIA Standards 8862-2009 and 8853-2016, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Racing Cockpit and SimRacing Design — studying from Australia
Materials science and advanced manufacturing support Australian industries including mining, aerospace, defence, food processing and infrastructure. Research organisations such as CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation contribute to materials characterisation and development. Quality management and conformity with standards are essential, particularly in regulated sectors. Engineers work on material selection, process improvement, additive manufacturing and quality assurance. Employers include manufacturers, mining equipment suppliers, research bodies and certification organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$9,410 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this qualification recognised by Engineers Australia or quality bodies such as Quality Australia?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Quality-related certifications in Australia, such as those from independent certification bodies, are separate credentials that you must pursue on their own terms. Recognition of SEIUM's programmes is determined by employers or the relevant body, so verify this with them directly.
Which Australian manufacturing and quality employers might value this training?
Manufacturers in sectors such as mining equipment, automotive, aerospace supply chains and building materials employ materials and quality engineers. Whether they value a private qualification depends on each company's hiring criteria. Relevant experience and the practical final project can help demonstrate your capability to them.
Can I study online from Australia while working, and is payment flexible?
Yes, the programme is fully online and taught in English, so no student visa is required to study from home in Australia. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Consider the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan your study time around your work commitments.
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
Analyse the physical and cognitive demands placed on the racing driver.
Apply FIA safety regulations to cockpit design.
Design ergonomic cockpits, steering wheels and controls for racing.
Select materials and structures for the driver cell.
Design and configure simulators with high response fidelity.
Use driving data for training and correlation.
Develop simracing products for the professional and consumer markets.
Who it's for
- Racing cockpit designers.
- Simulation engineers.
- Simracing hardware designers.
- Driver performance engineers.
- Motorsport composites technicians.
- Track data engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (technical regulations for competition cars)
- FIA Standard 8862-2009 (advanced racing seats)
- FIA Standard 8853-2016 (driver safety harnesses)
- FIA Standard 8858-2010 (frontal head restraint systems)
- FIA Standard 8857-2001 (steering wheel quick-release systems)
- Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery)
- Directive 2014/30/EU (electromagnetic compatibility)
- SolidWorks
- MoTeC i2
- rFactor 2
- iRacing
- SimHub
12 modules
1.1Biomechanics of the racing driver1.2Lateral and longitudinal g-forces1.3Neck and muscle fatigue1.4Anthropometry of elite drivers1.5Thermoregulation in the cockpit1.6Visual perception at high speed1.7Reaction times1.8Cognitive load during a race1.9Differences between categories1.10Case study: physical profile of a GT driver
2.1Appendix J of the FIA International Sporting Code2.2Homologated roll cages2.3Seats to FIA Standard 88622.4Harnesses to FIA Standard 88532.5HANS and FHR systems2.6Fire extinguishing and master switches2.7Window nets2.8Halo and head protection2.9Driver extraction2.10Workshop: technical scrutineering checklist
3.1Driving position by category3.2Racing steering wheel and button boxes3.3Pedal boxes and pedal adjustment3.4Gear levers and paddles3.5Visibility and mirrors3.6Reach to switches3.7Custom-moulded seat3.8Driver ventilation3.9Accessibility for driver changes3.10Lab: seat moulding with foam
4.1Architecture of an F1 and GT steering wheel4.2Displays and shift LEDs4.3Engine and differential maps4.4Rotaries, buttons and coding4.5Radio communications4.6Real-time telemetry4.7Alarms and fault management4.8Design for gloved hands4.9Steering wheel electronics and wiring4.10Practical exercise: steering wheel button layout
5.1Carbon fibre monocoques5.2Survival cells5.3FIA impact tests5.4Fire-retardant materials for the cockpit5.5Zylon anti-intrusion panels5.6Inserts and fixings5.7Autoclave manufacturing5.8Composite repair5.9Weight and centre of gravity5.10Case study: design of a side panel
6.1History of simracing6.2Professional team simulators6.32DOF to 9DOF motion platforms6.4Simulation engines: rFactor 2, iRacing6.5Tyre models and physics6.6Latency and fidelity6.7Display systems: triple screens, VR, projection6.8Audio and tactile vibration6.9Validating the simulator against the track6.10Lab: setting up a motion platform
7.1Aluminium profile chassis7.2Cockpit stiffness and flex7.3Direct drive wheel bases7.4Load cell pedal sets7.5Multi-driver ergonomic adjustment7.6Mounting screens and VR7.7Integration of shifters and handbrakes7.8Wiring and power supply7.9Manufacturing and commercial kits7.10Practical exercise: CAD design of a simulation cockpit
8.1Fundamentals of force feedback8.2Direct drive motors and torque8.3Filters and frequency response8.4Active pedals with actuators8.5Low-frequency tactile transducers8.6Active seats and harness tensioners8.7Sensation of grip and understeer8.8Calibration per driver8.9Safety of high-torque motors8.10Case study: force feedback tuning by circuit
9.1Data acquisition in the simulator and on track9.2MoTeC i2 and lap analysis9.3Key channels: brake, throttle, steering9.4Comparison between drivers9.5Data-driven coaching9.6Correlation between simulator and track9.7Consistency metrics9.8Video synchronised with data9.9Reports for the race engineer9.10Practical exercise: lap comparison in MoTeC
10.1Official simracing competitions10.2Motorsport esports regulations10.3Physical and mental preparation10.4Training real drivers10.5Simulators in academies10.6Teams and professional structure10.7Broadcasting and production10.8Sponsorship and business10.9Health and injury prevention10.10Case study: training programme for a driver
11.1The simracing hardware market11.2Briefing and user segments11.3Rapid prototyping and validation11.4CE certification of peripherals11.5Cost and series manufacturing11.6Customisation and accessories11.7Community and feedback11.8Brand and launch11.9After-sales service and technical support11.10Workshop: definition of a simracing product
12.1Choice of category or product12.2Analysis of the driver as user12.3Regulatory and technical requirements12.4Cockpit concept12.5CAD modelling and materials12.6Integration of HMI and controls12.7Prototype and testing12.8Evaluation with drivers12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, MoTeC i2, rFactor 2, iRacing and SimHub, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: ergonomic fitting of cockpits with drivers, tests on simulators with motion platforms and lap telemetry analysis. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J, FIA Standard 8862-2009, FIA Standard 8853-2016, FIA Standard 8858-2010, FIA Standard 8857-2001, Directive 2006/42/EC, Directive 2014/30/EU.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An 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, MoTeC i2, rFactor 2, iRacing and SimHub, 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 demonstrable professional experience), plus 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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