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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in Kinematics & Compliance and Advanced 7-Post Rig Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in kinematics & compliance and advanced 7-post rig engineering: 12 modules covering vehicle dynamics test rigs, suspension kinematics and compliance, K&C and seven-post rigs, signal processing, damping optimisation, track and simulation correlation, vehicle modelling, instrumentation and test laboratory management, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the role of test rigs in vehicle development.

02

Measure and interpret suspension kinematics and compliance.

03

Plan tests on K&C and seven-post rigs.

04

Process signals in the time and frequency domains.

05

Optimise damping through design of experiments.

06

Correlate rig, track and simulation results.

07

Manage test laboratories to quality criteria.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Test rig engineers in motorsport or automotive test laboratories.
  • Vehicle dynamics engineers who rely on K&C and seven-post data.
  • Correlation engineers linking rig, track and simulation.
  • Instrumentation engineers working with load cells and sensors.
  • Laboratory managers responsible for rig operations and quality.
  • Suspension engineers wanting to validate designs on the rig.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
  • SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
  • FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (testing restrictions)
  • ISO 2631 (vibration)
  • SAE J2047 (tyre testing)
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • Adams Car
  • nCode GlyphWorks
  • MoTeC i2
  • Python
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1The role of rigs in development
  2. 1.2Kinematics and compliance (K&C) rig
  3. 1.3Seven-post rig
  4. 1.4Four-post rigs and their evolution
  5. 1.5Damper dynamometers
  6. 1.6Tyre rigs
  7. 1.7Regulatory restrictions on testing
  8. 1.8Costs and planning
  9. 1.9Integration with simulation
  10. 1.10Case study: development plan using rigs
  1. 2.1K&C definitions
  2. 2.2Camber and toe versus travel
  3. 2.3Measured roll centre
  4. 2.4Measured anti-dive and anti-squat
  5. 2.5Motion ratios
  6. 2.6Bump steer and roll steer
  7. 2.7Steering curves
  8. 2.8Measured Ackermann
  9. 2.9Repeatability
  10. 2.10Lab: processing kinematic data
  1. 3.1The concept of compliance
  2. 3.2Lateral and longitudinal stiffness
  3. 3.3Compliance steer
  4. 3.4Compliance camber
  5. 3.5Bush and rod-end stiffness
  6. 3.6Upright and wishbone stiffness
  7. 3.7Influence on handling
  8. 3.8Chassis torsional stiffness
  9. 3.9Design to minimise compliance
  10. 3.10Practical: calculating compliance steer from K&C data
  1. 4.1Architecture of a K&C rig
  2. 4.2Measurement systems
  3. 4.3Wheel pads
  4. 4.4Vertical travel tests
  5. 4.5Roll tests
  6. 4.6Lateral and longitudinal force tests
  7. 4.7Aligning moment tests
  8. 4.8Rig calibration
  9. 4.9Results reporting
  10. 4.10Lab: planning a K&C test campaign
  1. 5.1Seven-post configuration
  2. 5.2Hydraulic actuators and control
  3. 5.3Aero load actuators
  4. 5.4Track replay
  5. 5.5Excitation signals
  6. 5.6Measurement of load variation
  7. 5.7Aerodynamic platform
  8. 5.8Iterative replay control
  9. 5.9Rig safety
  10. 5.10Practical: defining a seven-post test programme
  1. 6.1Sampling and filtering
  2. 6.2Frequency analysis
  3. 6.3Frequency response functions
  4. 6.4Coherence
  5. 6.5Experimental modal analysis
  6. 6.6Statistical analysis
  7. 6.7Performance metrics
  8. 6.8MATLAB and nCode tools
  9. 6.9Visualisation
  10. 6.10Lab: frequency response functions in MATLAB
  1. 7.1Mechanical grip metrics
  2. 7.2Aerodynamic platform metrics
  3. 7.3Damping trade-offs
  4. 7.4Set-up sweeps
  5. 7.5Design of experiments
  6. 7.6Inerters on the rig
  7. 7.7Bump stops and non-linearities
  8. 7.8Comparison of solutions
  9. 7.9Track validation
  10. 7.10Practical: design of experiments for damping
  1. 8.1Track data acquisition
  2. 8.2Generation of track profiles
  3. 8.3Rig–track correlation
  4. 8.4Identified vehicle models
  5. 8.5Updating multibody models
  6. 8.6Vehicle digital twin
  7. 8.7Driving simulators
  8. 8.8Uncertainty
  9. 8.9Iterative development loop
  10. 8.10Case study: correlation between seven-post rig and track
  1. 9.1Linear vehicle models
  2. 9.2Vertical tyre models
  3. 9.3Damper models
  4. 9.4Aerodynamic load models
  5. 9.5System identification
  6. 9.6Models in Simulink
  7. 9.7Multibody models
  8. 9.8Validation against rig data
  9. 9.9Use in optimisation
  10. 9.10Lab: parameter identification of a model
  1. 10.1Strain gauges
  2. 10.2Wheel load cells
  3. 10.3Laser ride-height sensors
  4. 10.4Triaxial accelerometers
  5. 10.5Linear potentiometers
  6. 10.6Data acquisition systems
  7. 10.7Calibration
  8. 10.8Telemetry
  9. 10.9Data management
  10. 10.10Practical: calibrating a load cell
  1. 11.1Laboratory organisation
  2. 11.2Test planning
  3. 11.3ISO/IEC 17025 quality
  4. 11.4Costs and rates
  5. 11.5Safety on hydraulic rigs
  6. 11.6Rig maintenance
  7. 11.7Testing regulations by category
  8. 11.8Rig suppliers
  9. 11.9Trends
  10. 11.10Workshop: laboratory quality plan
  1. 12.1Definition of the vehicle
  2. 12.2K&C test plan
  3. 12.3Analysis of K&C results
  4. 12.4Seven-post test plan
  5. 12.5Dynamic analysis
  6. 12.6Correlation with simulation
  7. 12.7Improvement proposal
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

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 MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for kinematics and compliance campaigns, dynamic testing on a seven-post rig and correlation between rig, track and simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 8855, SAE J670, ISO/IEC 17025, FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (testing restrictions), ISO 2631, SAE J2047.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 8855, SAE J670 and ISO/IEC 17025 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete K&C and seven-post test programme for a vehicle, from test planning and results analysis to simulation correlation and improvement proposals, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

K&C campaign planning
Plan a K&C test campaign and process the resulting kinematic data.
Compliance analysis
Calculate compliance steer and camber from measured K&C data.
Seven-post programme
Define a seven-post test programme and design damping experiments.
Rig–track correlation
Identify model parameters and correlate seven-post results with track data.
Master's Thesis
Run a full K&C and seven-post study of a vehicle with improvement proposals, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Test rig engineerVehicle dynamics engineerCorrelation engineerInstrumentation engineerLaboratory managerSuspension engineer
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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 MATLAB/Simulink, Adams Car, nCode GlyphWorks, MoTeC i2 and Python, 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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