Postgraduate DiplomaAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track correlation. 8 modules covering the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations, the FIA Formula One Financial Regulations and Ansys Fluent. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Postgraduate Diploma in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation — studying from Ireland

Ireland has a modest automotive footprint, with activity centred on component supply, automotive electronics, testing and aftermarket services rather than vehicle assembly. Motorsport and performance engineering are represented by teams, specialist workshops and engineering consultancies, often linked to the Irish motorsport community. Engineers in this area work on powertrain components, vehicle dynamics, sensor integration and testing for both established manufacturers and suppliers. Regulatory oversight for road vehicles comes from national and European type-approval bodies, while industry collaboration is coordinated through automotive and engineering associations.

Fees for Ireland: €1,490 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Ireland

  • Department of Transport
  • Motor Industry Ireland (MII)
  • Engineers Ireland
  • Motorsport Ireland

Typical roles

  • Automotive Engineer
  • Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
  • Powertrain Test Engineer
  • Motorsport Performance Engineer

Questions from Ireland

Which Irish bodies are relevant for recognising automotive engineering qualifications?

In Ireland, Engineers Ireland is the principal professional body for engineers and runs chartered engineer registration. Automotive vehicle standards and roadworthiness fall under the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Test system. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide. Confirm this with them before enrolling if it matters for your career.

Where do automotive and motorsport engineers typically work in Ireland, and do employers value online study?

Ireland has automotive supply chain and engineering activity, along with motorsport and vehicle-related design roles, though it is a smaller market than larger European countries. Employers usually weigh practical experience and proven skills heavily. An online private qualification can complement a CV, but whether it is valued depends on each employer, and no outcome can be guaranteed.

How do I fit this programme around work and what language level is needed?

Study is fully online and taught in English, so you need a good working command of English for technical reading and written assignments. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so raise that with your employer early.

Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Compare the capabilities and limitations of CFD, wind tunnel and track.

02

Set up CFD simulations aimed at correlation.

03

Interpret wind tunnel aerodynamic maps.

04

Measure aerodynamic load on track using sensors and indirect methods.

05

Apply correction factors and models between tools.

06

Quantify the uncertainty of aerodynamic improvements.

07

Integrate the aerodynamic workflow within regulatory constraints.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aerodynamics engineer who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • CFD engineer who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • Wind tunnel engineer who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • Correlation engineer who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • Performance engineer who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • Aerodynamic data analyst who wants to specialise in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track Correlation.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter single-seater competition.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIA Formula One Technical Regulations
  • FIA Formula One Financial Regulations
  • SAE J1594 Vehicle Aerodynamics Terminology
  • SAE J2084 Aerodynamic Testing of Vehicles
  • ASME V&V 20 Verification and Validation in CFD
  • JCGM 100 GUM Guide
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Role of CFD, wind tunnel and track
  2. 1.2Lift and drag coefficients
  3. 1.3Aerodynamic balance and centre of pressure
  4. 1.4Sensitivity to ride height, pitch and roll
  5. 1.5Ground effect and floor sealing
  6. 1.6Wakes and dirty air
  7. 1.7FIA ATR restrictions
  8. 1.8Cost and time of each tool
  9. 1.9Aerodynamic development workflow
  10. 1.10Workshop: aerodynamic map of a car
  1. 2.1Meshing and mesh quality
  2. 2.2RANS models and turbulence
  3. 2.3DES and transient simulations
  4. 2.4Wheel rotation and moving ground
  5. 2.5Representative boundary conditions
  6. 2.6Convergence and averaging
  7. 2.7Post-processing of pressures and forces
  8. 2.8Estimation of numerical uncertainty
  9. 2.9Simulations of the scale car
  10. 2.10Practical: RANS simulation of a front wing
  1. 3.1Scale tunnels and Reynolds number
  2. 3.2Moving ground and boundary layer
  3. 3.3Balances and force measurement
  4. 3.4Pressure tappings and scanners
  5. 3.5Visualisation: flow-vis and PIV
  6. 3.6Model movements and maps
  7. 3.7Blockage corrections
  8. 3.8Repeatability and quality control
  9. 3.9Differences between the model and the real car
  10. 3.10Laboratory: analysis of a wind tunnel ride-height map
  1. 4.1Laser ride-height sensors
  2. 4.2Kiel probes and pitot tubes
  3. 4.3Flow visualisation paint on track
  4. 4.4Load estimation from suspension
  5. 4.5Coast-down and drag
  6. 4.6Straight-line testing
  7. 4.7Effect of wind and temperature
  8. 4.8Filtering track data
  9. 4.9Planning an aero test
  10. 4.10Practical: estimation of aerodynamic load using damper data
  1. 5.1Definition of correlation factors
  2. 5.2Local pressure correlation
  3. 5.3Global force correlation
  4. 5.4Ride-height map correlation
  5. 5.5Scale and Reynolds discrepancies
  6. 5.6Correction of systematic biases
  7. 5.7Multi-fidelity correction models
  8. 5.8Season-by-season correlation tracking
  9. 5.9Deviation management
  10. 5.10Case study: balance discrepancy between wind tunnel and track
  1. 6.1From the CFD concept to the wind tunnel
  2. 6.2Selecting configurations for track
  3. 6.3Validation of new parts
  4. 6.4Aerodynamic databases
  5. 6.5Aero maps for simulators
  6. 6.6Communication with performance and design teams
  7. 6.7Visualisation tools
  8. 6.8Automation of post-processing
  9. 6.9Managing the ATR and wind tunnel hours
  10. 6.10Case study: introducing a new floor
  1. 7.1Sources of uncertainty in each tool
  2. 7.2Propagation to lap time
  3. 7.3Intervals and confidence in improvements
  4. 7.4Decisions with contradictory data
  5. 7.5Risk from uncorrelated parts
  6. 7.6Historical correlation analysis
  7. 7.7Process quality indicators
  8. 7.8Method improvement
  9. 7.9Correlation report
  10. 7.10Workshop: decision report on an aero part
  1. 8.1Selecting the aerodynamic component
  2. 8.2CFD simulation plan
  3. 8.3Wind tunnel and map plan
  4. 8.4Track measurement plan
  5. 8.5Three-way correlation analysis
  6. 8.6Quantification of uncertainties
  7. 8.7Process recommendations
  8. 8.8Configuration proposal
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ParaView, ATLAS by McLaren Applied, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real correlation procedures for forces between wind tunnel and CFD, straight-line aerodynamic tests, and validation of new parts on track. Assessment is continuous across modules, plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Selecting the aerodynamic component

Compare the capabilities and limitations of CFD, wind tunnel and track.

CFD simulation plan

Set up CFD simulations aimed at correlation.

Wind tunnel and map plan

Interpret wind tunnel aerodynamic maps.

Track measurement plan

Measure aerodynamic load on track using sensors and indirect methods.

Three-way correlation analysis

Apply correction factors and models between tools.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aerodynamics EngineerCFD EngineerWind Tunnel EngineerCorrelation EngineerPerformance EngineerAerodynamic Data Analyst
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with Ansys Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ParaView and ATLAS by McLaren Applied. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

Postgraduate Diploma in CFD↔Wind Tunnel↔Track CorrelationEnrol
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