Course on active aerodynamics and its regulation
Online course of 300 hours in active aerodynamics and its regulation. 6 modules covering active aerodynamics principles, actuation systems, control and activation logic, regulation and verification, and testing and analysis, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course on active aerodynamics and its regulation — studying from India
India is one of the world's largest automobile markets, with major manufacturing clusters around Chennai, Pune, Gurugram, Manesar and Sanand. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai and Toyota Kirloskar anchor a dense supplier ecosystem of component makers across Chennai and Pune. Vehicle standards and type approvals are handled by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Automotive Research Association of India, while the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers represents the industry. Engineers work on powertrain design, vehicle dynamics, quality validation and motorsport engineering, with demand rising as the industry transitions to new technologies.
Fees for India: ₹47,500 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in India
Typical roles
Questions from India
How are automotive engineers recognised in India, and which bodies matter?
Automotive engineering in India is recognised mainly through the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Automotive Engineers India (SAE India) and the Institution of Engineers (India). Engineering degrees from recognised universities are the usual entry route. SEIUM's private qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by any national body, so their value for membership or roles depends on the employer or body concerned.
Which employers in India hire automotive and motorsport engineers?
Automotive engineers in India are hired by carmakers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai India, their component suppliers, and design and testing firms. Motorsport teams and racing series also employ engineers. A private online programme can add specialised knowledge to your profile, but employers generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, projects and experience.
Is this programme workable with a job in India, and does it need a visa?
Yes. The programme is fully online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Workload depends on the format: a master's is about 1,900 hours, a postgraduate diploma about 800 and a specialist course about 300. You get an assigned technical tutor and can pay in instalments. Some employers offer sponsorship, so it is worth asking your HR team before you enrol.
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
Explain the trade-off between downforce and drag in active elements.
Design actuation mechanisms for movable wings.
Programme the activation logic and its safety conditions.
Interpret the regulatory articles on movable elements.
Evaluate the system using CFD, wind tunnel and track data.
Analyse historical cases of aerodynamic controversy.
Design an active aerodynamic system compliant with the regulations.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamicists working on movable wings, flaps and diffusers.
- Control systems engineers developing activation logic and diagnostics.
- Regulatory compliance engineers interpreting FIA bodywork rules.
- Mechanical design engineers responsible for actuators and mechanisms.
- Wind tunnel technicians running model and correlation tests.
- Performance engineers evaluating lap-time gains.
- Engineering and science graduates aiming to join racing teams.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (bodywork and aerodynamic components)
- FIA International Sporting Code (general rules of motor sport)
- UNECE Regulation No. 26 (external projections)
- ISO 26262 (functional safety)
- SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (type approval of motor vehicles)
- Ansys Fluent
- STAR-CCM+
- MATLAB/Simulink
- CATIA
- ParaView
6 modules
1.1Trade-off between downforce and drag1.2Moving elements: wings, flaps and diffusers1.3History: Chaparral 2J, Brabham BT46B and DRS1.4Historical bans on moving elements1.5Active aerodynamics in production vehicles1.6Ground effect and ride-height sensitivity1.7Wakes and driving in traffic1.8Aerodynamic stability in cornering and braking1.9Aerodynamic efficiency indicators1.10Case study: top-speed gain with DRS
2.1Hydraulic and electromechanical actuators2.2Pivot and slot mechanisms2.3Position sensors and reliability2.4Opening and closing times2.5Failure modes and safe position2.6Loads on the mechanism2.7Integration into the wing packaging2.8System weight and power consumption2.9Bench durability testing2.10Workshop: sizing a flap actuator
3.1Logic of activation zones on track3.2Closing conditions under braking3.3Control as a function of speed and acceleration3.4Active aerodynamics in the 2026 regulations3.5Integration with hybrid energy management3.6Redundancy and fault diagnosis3.7Functional safety of the system3.8Validation with simulation and wind tunnel3.9ECU data for verification3.10Practical exercise: activation logic in Simulink
4.1Bodywork articles in FIA regulations4.2Regulatory definition of a movable element4.3Static bodywork deflection tests4.4Flexible aerodynamics and controversies4.5DRS control by race direction4.6External projections on production vehicles4.7Homologation of active production wings4.8Technical protests over aerodynamics4.9Regulatory evolution and trends4.10Case study: analysis of a flexible-wing controversy
5.1Wind tunnel testing with scale models5.2CFD simulation with variable geometry5.3On-track flow visualisation with paraffin5.4On-track pressure sensors5.5Total-pressure aero rakes5.6Correlation between wind tunnel, CFD and track5.7Aerodynamic maps with flap state5.8Effect on lap time5.9Aerodynamic performance report5.10Lab: downforce map with flap open and closed
6.1Definition of the vehicle and regulations6.2Concept of the active element6.3Mechanism design6.4Control logic6.5CFD analysis of both states6.6Regulatory compliance analysis6.7Validation plan6.8Assessment of lap-time gain6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and standards, and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, CATIA and ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: CFD of a wing with the flap in two positions, static bodywork deflection testing and activation logic with ECU data. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, FIA International Sporting Code, UNECE Regulation No. 26, ISO 26262, SAE J1594, Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, CATIA and ParaView, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme 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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