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.
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
Typical roles
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.
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
Compare the capabilities and limitations of CFD, wind tunnel and track.
Set up CFD simulations aimed at correlation.
Interpret wind tunnel aerodynamic maps.
Measure aerodynamic load on track using sensors and indirect methods.
Apply correction factors and models between tools.
Quantify the uncertainty of aerodynamic improvements.
Integrate the aerodynamic workflow within regulatory constraints.
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.
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
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Role of CFD, wind tunnel and track1.2Lift and drag coefficients1.3Aerodynamic balance and centre of pressure1.4Sensitivity to ride height, pitch and roll1.5Ground effect and floor sealing1.6Wakes and dirty air1.7FIA ATR restrictions1.8Cost and time of each tool1.9Aerodynamic development workflow1.10Workshop: aerodynamic map of a car
2.1Meshing and mesh quality2.2RANS models and turbulence2.3DES and transient simulations2.4Wheel rotation and moving ground2.5Representative boundary conditions2.6Convergence and averaging2.7Post-processing of pressures and forces2.8Estimation of numerical uncertainty2.9Simulations of the scale car2.10Practical: RANS simulation of a front wing
3.1Scale tunnels and Reynolds number3.2Moving ground and boundary layer3.3Balances and force measurement3.4Pressure tappings and scanners3.5Visualisation: flow-vis and PIV3.6Model movements and maps3.7Blockage corrections3.8Repeatability and quality control3.9Differences between the model and the real car3.10Laboratory: analysis of a wind tunnel ride-height map
4.1Laser ride-height sensors4.2Kiel probes and pitot tubes4.3Flow visualisation paint on track4.4Load estimation from suspension4.5Coast-down and drag4.6Straight-line testing4.7Effect of wind and temperature4.8Filtering track data4.9Planning an aero test4.10Practical: estimation of aerodynamic load using damper data
5.1Definition of correlation factors5.2Local pressure correlation5.3Global force correlation5.4Ride-height map correlation5.5Scale and Reynolds discrepancies5.6Correction of systematic biases5.7Multi-fidelity correction models5.8Season-by-season correlation tracking5.9Deviation management5.10Case study: balance discrepancy between wind tunnel and track
6.1From the CFD concept to the wind tunnel6.2Selecting configurations for track6.3Validation of new parts6.4Aerodynamic databases6.5Aero maps for simulators6.6Communication with performance and design teams6.7Visualisation tools6.8Automation of post-processing6.9Managing the ATR and wind tunnel hours6.10Case study: introducing a new floor
7.1Sources of uncertainty in each tool7.2Propagation to lap time7.3Intervals and confidence in improvements7.4Decisions with contradictory data7.5Risk from uncorrelated parts7.6Historical correlation analysis7.7Process quality indicators7.8Method improvement7.9Correlation report7.10Workshop: decision report on an aero part
8.1Selecting the aerodynamic component8.2CFD simulation plan8.3Wind tunnel and map plan8.4Track measurement plan8.5Three-way correlation analysis8.6Quantification of uncertainties8.7Process recommendations8.8Configuration proposal8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
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.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Compare the capabilities and limitations of CFD, wind tunnel and track.
Set up CFD simulations aimed at correlation.
Interpret wind tunnel aerodynamic maps.
Measure aerodynamic load on track using sensors and indirect methods.
Apply correction factors and models between tools.
Where this takes you
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.
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.
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