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Master'sAutomotive & Motorsport Applications open

Master’s in Racing Suspension and Dampers Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in racing suspension and damper engineering: 12 modules covering suspension systems and geometry, structural design of components, damper theory, design and testing, elastic elements, vibration control, set-up and data analysis, multibody simulation and special categories, 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

Design the geometry of racing suspensions.

02

Carry out the structural sizing of suspension components.

03

Understand damper hydraulics.

04

Design and test racing dampers.

05

Select elastic elements and bump stops.

06

Analyse vibration control and tyre load variation.

07

Tune the suspension from track data.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Suspension engineers in motorsport or high-performance automotive.
  • Damper engineers at teams or damper manufacturers.
  • Chassis design engineers responsible for suspension components.
  • Race engineers who tune dampers trackside.
  • Damper dyno technicians wanting a deeper theoretical basis.
  • Multibody simulation engineers modelling suspension systems.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical rules for competition vehicles)
  • FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
  • ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
  • SAE J670 (vehicle dynamics terminology)
  • ISO 2631 (vibration)
  • FIA Rally1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for top-class rally cars)
  • EN 13906 (helical springs)
  • OptimumKinematics
  • Adams Car
  • ANSYS Mechanical
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • MoTeC i2
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Functions of the suspension
  2. 1.2Layouts in single-seaters, GT and rally cars
  3. 1.3Push-rod, pull-rod and direct mounting
  4. 1.4Bell cranks and rockers
  5. 1.5Rally and rally-raid suspensions
  6. 1.6Racing motorcycle suspensions
  7. 1.7Regulatory evolution
  8. 1.8Component materials
  9. 1.9Integration into the chassis
  10. 1.10Case study: comparison between a GT3 car and a single-seater
  1. 2.1Hardpoint coordinates
  2. 2.2Instant centres
  3. 2.3Roll centre and its migration
  4. 2.4Anti-dive and anti-squat
  5. 2.5Camber and toe curves
  6. 2.6Installation ratios
  7. 2.7Kinematic design software
  8. 2.8Packaging constraints
  9. 2.9Parametric optimisation
  10. 2.10Lab: geometry in OptimumKinematics
  1. 3.1Suspension design loads
  2. 3.2Steel and composite wishbones
  3. 3.3Uprights and hub carriers
  4. 3.4Rod ends and joints
  5. 3.5Finite element analysis
  6. 3.6Component fatigue
  7. 3.7Buckling of push-rods and links
  8. 3.8Unsprung mass
  9. 3.9Component testing
  10. 3.10Practical: FEM analysis of a wishbone in ANSYS
  1. 4.1Damper hydraulics
  2. 4.2Shim-stack valves
  3. 4.3Needle and bypass valves
  4. 4.4Pistons and ports
  5. 4.5Cavitation and pressurisation
  6. 4.6Monotube and twin-tube dampers
  7. 4.7Remote reservoirs
  8. 4.8Low- and high-speed adjustment
  9. 4.9Hysteresis and friction
  10. 4.10Lab: calculating the curve of a shim stack
  1. 5.1Design of the body and shaft
  2. 5.2Oil selection
  3. 5.3Seals and friction
  4. 5.4Temperature and fade
  5. 5.5Four-way dampers
  6. 5.6Dampers with active valves: regulations
  7. 5.7Manufacturing and machining
  8. 5.8Assembly and bleeding
  9. 5.9Maintenance
  10. 5.10Practical: damper build sheet
  1. 6.1Damper dynamometers
  2. 6.2Sinusoidal tests
  3. 6.3Constant-velocity tests
  4. 6.4Force–velocity and force–displacement curves
  5. 6.5Temperature tests
  6. 6.6Friction measurement
  7. 6.7Unit-to-unit consistency
  8. 6.8Correlation with the track
  9. 6.9Dyno software
  10. 6.10Lab: analysis of damper dyno results
  1. 7.1Coil springs
  2. 7.2Torsion bars
  3. 7.3Third-element springs
  4. 7.4Inerters and their effect
  5. 7.5Bump rubbers and their design
  6. 7.6Adjustable anti-roll bars
  7. 7.7Interconnected hydraulic systems: regulations
  8. 7.8Progressive rate
  9. 7.9Element selection
  10. 7.10Case study: designing a bump rubber for ground effect
  1. 8.1Quarter-car models
  2. 8.2Half-car and full-vehicle models
  3. 8.3Transfer functions
  4. 8.4Tyre load variation
  5. 8.5Response to the track profile
  6. 8.6Damping optimisation
  7. 8.7Aerodynamic platform control
  8. 8.8Inerters for load variation
  9. 8.9Frequency analysis
  10. 8.10Practical: quarter-car model in Simulink
  1. 9.1Damper tuning methodology
  2. 9.2Velocity histograms
  3. 9.3Dynamic ride height analysis
  4. 9.4Load variation analysis
  5. 9.5Behaviour over kerbs
  6. 9.6Set-up for different tracks
  7. 9.7Interpreting driver feedback
  8. 9.8Suspension math channels
  9. 9.9Set-up reports
  10. 9.10Lab: dynamic ride height analysis in MoTeC
  1. 10.1Modelling in Adams Car
  2. 10.2Non-linear damper models
  3. 10.3Digital tracks
  4. 10.4Manoeuvre simulation
  5. 10.5Tyre interaction
  6. 10.6Parameter optimisation
  7. 10.7Correlation with rig data
  8. 10.8Driving simulators
  9. 10.9Limitations
  10. 10.10Practical: simulation of kerb strikes in Adams
  1. 11.1Gravel rally suspensions
  2. 11.2Rally-raid suspensions
  3. 11.3Endurance prototypes
  4. 11.4Formula E
  5. 11.5Road racing motorcycles
  6. 11.6Semi-active suspensions in GT
  7. 11.7Advanced materials
  8. 11.8Additive manufacturing of components
  9. 11.9Trends
  10. 11.10Workshop: suspension design for rallying
  1. 12.1Definition of the vehicle and category
  2. 12.2Suspension requirements
  3. 12.3Kinematic design
  4. 12.4Structural design
  5. 12.5Damper specification
  6. 12.6Simulation and testing
  7. 12.7Set-up 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 OptimumKinematics, Adams Car, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB/Simulink and MoTeC i2, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for damper dyno testing, structural analysis of suspension components and multibody simulation of manoeuvres. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, ISO 8855, SAE J670, ISO 2631, FIA Rally1 Technical Regulations, EN 13906.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code, the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations and ISO 8855 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:OptimumKinematics, Adams Car, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB/Simulink and MoTeC i2, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete suspension system for a racing vehicle, from kinematic and structural design to damper specification, simulation and set-up proposal, 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.

Kinematic design
Define the suspension geometry and hardpoints in OptimumKinematics.
Structural sizing
Analyse a wishbone with FEM in ANSYS, including fatigue and buckling checks.
Damper specification
Calculate a shim-stack curve and analyse damper dyno results.
Simulation and data analysis
Simulate kerb strikes in Adams and analyse dynamic ride heights in MoTeC.
Master's Thesis
Design and specify a complete suspension and damper package for a chosen category, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Suspension engineerDamper engineerChassis design engineerRace engineerDamper dyno technicianMultibody simulation 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 OptimumKinematics, Adams Car, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB/Simulink and MoTeC i2, 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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