Master’s in Rally-Raid (Dakar) Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in rally-raid (Dakar) engineering. 12 modules covering chassis and safety structures, long-travel suspension, tyres, transmission, navigation, reliability, safety, support logistics and telemetry, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Approach rally-raid as an integrated engineering problem.
Design chassis and safety structures in compliance with the regulations.
Size long-travel suspension systems.
Optimise tyres, pressures and traction according to the terrain.
Organise reliability and maintenance during the event.
Plan the team's support and logistics.
Analyse telemetry data to improve the vehicle.
Who it's for
- Raid vehicle engineers.
- Chassis engineers looking to apply their skills to off-road competition.
- Suspension engineers.
- Technical support managers.
- Data engineers.
- Motorsport logistics coordinators.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join rally-raid teams.
What you'll work with
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (Art. 283, safety equipment)
- FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations
- FIA 8862-2009 (competition seats)
- FIA 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA 8856-2018 (protective clothing)
- Dakar Rally Regulations (ASO)
- Adams Car
- MoTeC i2
- SolidWorks
- ANSYS Mechanical
- MATLAB
12 modules
1.1Event format and marathon stages1.2Terrain: dunes, rocky ground, fesh-fesh and whoops1.3Categories and technical regulations1.4Differences from tarmac rallying and circuit racing1.5Design objectives: speed versus survival1.6Maintenance and service windows1.7Climate and altitude1.8Team logistics1.9Analysis of historical retirements1.10Workshop: design requirements for a prototype
2.1Tubular architecture and survival cell2.2Materials and welded joints2.3Torsional stiffness and its measurement2.4Underbody protection and guards2.5Integration of tanks and spare parts2.6Accessibility for repairs during a stage2.7Homologation of the structure2.8Emergency repairs en route2.9Weight and centre of gravity2.10Workshop: chassis concept
3.1Double wishbone and rigid axle architectures3.2Travel, geometry and anti-dive3.3Dampers with high thermal capacity3.4Compression and rebound curves3.5Springs, hydraulic bump stops and progressiveness3.6Heat management in the damper3.7Ball joints, bushes and durability3.8Set-up by terrain type3.9Typical failures and their prevention3.10Lab: suspension set-up
4.1Tyre types for sand and rocky ground4.2Central tyre inflation system4.3Pressures by terrain and their management4.4Punctures: prevention and quick change4.5Rims and bead locks4.6Permissible load and speed4.7Wear and rotation4.8Carrying spare wheels4.9Coordination with the co-driver4.10Case study: pressure strategy
5.1Four-wheel-drive architectures5.2Differentials and locks5.3Reduction gearboxes and ratios for dunes5.4Protection of driveshafts and joints5.5Transmission cooling5.6Sealing against dust and water5.7Maintenance at the bivouac5.8Diagnosing noises and play5.9Critical spare parts5.10Lab: ratio selection
6.1Reading the road book and its symbols6.2Homologated navigation systems6.3Beacons, waypoints and penalties6.4Driver and co-driver teamwork6.5Navigation errors and recovery6.6Compass, odometer and calibration6.7Time management during a stage6.8Overnight road book preparation6.9Navigation drills6.10Workshop: simulated stage
7.1Analysis of failure modes in the desert7.2Maintenance plan by stage7.3Mandatory daily inspections7.4Managing spare parts and consumables7.5Field repairs and temporary fixes7.6On-board tools7.7Incident logging7.8Deciding whether to repair or retire7.9Training the support team7.10Case study: maintenance plan
8.1Seats, harnesses and restraint8.2Climate control and dehydration8.3Visibility and dust filtering8.4Fire extinguishing8.5Alert and rescue systems8.6Rollover protocols8.7Driver equipment8.8Fatigue and effort management8.9Communication with the organisers8.10Workshop: ergonomic review
9.1Support trucks and their planning9.2Bivouac: organisation and timings9.3International transport of equipment9.4Customs and documentation9.5Fuel and refuelling en route9.6Waste management9.7Crew and shifts9.8Budget for an entry9.9Sponsorship and obligations9.10Case study: logistics plan
10.1Useful channels in extreme conditions10.2Robustness of the instrumentation10.3Daily storage and download10.4Analysis between stages10.5Early fault detection10.6Satellite tracking10.7Communication with the team10.8Regulatory limitations10.9Using data in decision-making10.10Lab: analysis of a stage
11.1Pre-event test programme11.2Training on terrain11.3Vehicle endurance testing11.4Simulation of long stages11.5Managing stress and sleep11.6Team roles and procedures11.7Checklists11.8Dress rehearsal11.9Lessons from previous editions11.10Workshop: preparation plan
12.1Defining the category and objectives12.2Chassis and suspension concept12.3Selecting tyres and transmission12.4Reliability and maintenance plan12.5Navigation and team plan12.6Logistics and budget12.7Test programme12.8Project risk analysis12.9Technical report and defence12.10Master's Thesis: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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, which makes the programme compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Adams Car, MoTeC i2, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for on-terrain suspension testing, desert reliability testing and data acquisition analysis. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (Art. 283), FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations, FIA 8862-2009, FIA 8853-2016, FIA 8856-2018 and the Dakar Rally Regulations (ASO).
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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 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 will work with Adams Car, MoTeC i2, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where 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; an internet connection and a computer capable of running 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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