Master’s in Aerodynamics and Bodywork Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in aerodynamics and bodywork engineering: 12 modules covering racing-car aerodynamics, applied fluid mechanics, wings, floor and diffuser, bodywork and internal flow, CFD, wind tunnel and on-track aerodynamics, bodywork structures and aerodynamic optimisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Aerodynamics and Bodywork Engineering — studying from Canada
Canada's automotive industry is concentrated in Ontario, particularly around Windsor, Oshawa, Brampton and St. Catharines, with assembly plants and a dense supplier network. Companies such as General Motors Canada, Stellantis Canada and Toyota Canada operate production facilities, supported by a strong parts sector. Motorsport activity is present through national series and circuits such as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Mosport. Engineers work on vehicle design, powertrain development, manufacturing engineering and supplier quality.
Fees for Canada: C$15,500 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies recognise automotive engineering qualifications?
Automotive engineers in Canada often hold Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) licences from provincial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario, which regulate the title 'engineer'. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer P.Eng. status. Whether an employer or other body recognises the training is their decision, so confirm this before you enrol.
Where in Canada would automotive or motorsport training be useful to employers?
Canada has automotive manufacturing centred in Ontario, with suppliers across the country, and a range of motorsport and performance engineering businesses. Employers in these areas typically assess candidates on skills, portfolios and practical experience. A SEIUM final project can document your work, but how much weight a private qualification carries is up to each employer, so ask them directly.
How does the workload and funding work for someone employed in Canada?
Programmes are fully online, so you can study from anywhere, including outside Canadian time zones if needed, but schedules should be planned around your work. Hours range from 300 for specialist courses to 1,900 for master's programmes. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Teaching is in English, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
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 aerodynamic forces acting on a racing vehicle.
Apply fluid mechanics to the design of wings and floors.
Design aerodynamic and bodywork components.
Simulate the flow with full-vehicle CFD.
Plan wind tunnel tests.
Correlate CFD, wind tunnel and track data.
Optimise aerodynamic designs within the regulations.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamicists in motorsport, high-performance automotive or aerospace.
- CFD engineers looking to specialise in external vehicle aerodynamics.
- Wind tunnel engineers working with scale models.
- Bodywork designers who need a solid aerodynamic foundation.
- Aerodynamic correlation engineers linking CFD, tunnel and track.
- Composites engineers producing aerodynamic parts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical rules for competition vehicles)
- Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR, aerodynamic testing restrictions)
- SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
- FIA GT3 Technical Regulations (technical rules for GT3 cars)
- SAE J2084 (aerodynamic testing procedures for vehicles)
- Simcenter Star-CCM+
- OpenFOAM
- XFOIL
- ANSYS Fluent
- CATIA
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Aerodynamic forces and moments1.2Downforce and drag1.3Aerodynamic efficiency L/D1.4Aerodynamic balance1.5Influence on vehicle dynamics1.6History: wings and ground effect1.7Aerodynamic regulations by category1.8Touring car versus single-seater aerodynamics1.9ATR development restrictions1.10Case study: aerodynamic map of a single-seater
2.1Navier-Stokes equations2.2Boundary layer and separation2.3Laminar and turbulent flow2.4Aerofoil theory2.5Vortices and their generation2.6The Venturi effect2.7Wake flow2.8Reynolds and Mach numbers2.9Ground effect2.10Lab: aerofoil analysis with XFOIL
3.1Multi-element front wings3.2Rear wings and DRS3.3Endplates and vortex control3.4Gurney flaps3.5Bargeboards and deflectors3.6Mirrors and appendages3.7Aerofoil design3.8Interaction effects3.9Regulatory flexibility limits3.10Practical: design of a two-element wing
4.1Ground effect and its physics4.2Venturi channels4.3Diffusers and their design4.4Sensitivity to ride height and pitch4.5Porpoising4.6Vortex side sealing4.7The 2022 ground-effect regulations4.8Planks and wear4.9Platform stability4.10Lab: CFD of a diffuser in OpenFOAM
5.1Bodywork design5.2Flow management towards the diffuser5.3Sidepods and cooling5.4Air outlets5.5Engine cover5.6Wheels and their wake5.7Rims and wheel covers5.8Integration with cooling5.9Bodywork regulations5.10Practical: wheel wake analysis with CFD
6.1Meshing of complete vehicles6.2RANS turbulence models6.3DES and LES simulations6.4Boundary conditions: moving ground and rotating wheels6.5Convergence and quality6.6Post-processing6.7Aerodynamic maps6.8Regulatory CFD limits6.9Workflows6.10Lab: full-vehicle simulation in Star-CCM+
7.1Moving-ground wind tunnels7.2Scale models7.3Balances and force measurement7.4Pressure measurements7.5Flow visualisation7.6Blockage corrections7.7Wind tunnel–CFD correlation7.8Test programmes7.9Hour restrictions7.10Case study: plan for a wind tunnel test day
8.1On-track aerodynamic instrumentation8.2Pressure rakes8.3Flow-visualisation paint8.4Load measurement with sensors8.5Track–tunnel–CFD correlation8.6On-track aerodynamic maps8.7Effect of wind8.8Aerodynamics in traffic8.9Data analysis8.10Practical: analysis of pressure rake data
9.1Carbon fibre composites9.2Bodywork panel design9.3Aeroelastic stiffness9.4Fasteners and joints9.5Regulatory deflection tests9.6Manufacturing of aerodynamic parts9.7Weight and centre of gravity9.8Bodywork repair9.9Passive safety9.10Lab: structural analysis of a wing in ANSYS
10.1Parametric optimisation10.2The adjoint method10.3Mesh morphing10.4Multi-objective optimisation10.5Design of experiments10.6Surrogate models10.7Machine learning in aerodynamics10.8Regulatory constraints10.9Integration with vehicle dynamics10.10Practical: adjoint optimisation of an aerofoil
11.1Aerodynamics in GT cars and prototypes11.2Balance of Performance (BoP)11.3Touring car aerodynamics11.4Formula E aerodynamics11.5Record vehicles11.6Active aerodynamics: 2026 regulations11.7Aerodynamics and sustainability11.8Transfer to road vehicles11.9Trends11.10Workshop: aerodynamic package for a GT car
12.1Definition of the vehicle and regulations12.2Aerodynamic targets12.3Component design12.4CFD simulation12.5Wind tunnel test plan12.6Structural analysis12.7Integration with vehicle dynamics12.8Conclusions12.9Master'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 your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, XFOIL, ANSYS Fluent and CATIA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for full-vehicle CFD simulation, wind tunnel testing with scale models and on-track aerodynamic correlation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, Formula 1 Financial Regulations (ATR), SAE J1594, ISO 8855, FIA GT3 Technical Regulations, SAE J2084.
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 Simcenter Star-CCM+, OpenFOAM, XFOIL, ANSYS Fluent and CATIA, 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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