Postgraduate Diploma in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed. 8 modules with FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations, Reglamento (UE) n.º 168/2013 and Ansys Fluent. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed — studying from Malta
Malta has a strong culture of two-wheeled transport, with scooters and motorcycles widely used given the island's dense traffic and limited parking. This has created a steady market for dealerships, workshops and parts suppliers serving riders. Engineers interested in 2-wheelers can find roles in servicing, technical support and the importation of vehicles and components. Opportunities also arise in electric scooter and light mobility, which are gaining attention in urban policy discussions.
Fees for Malta: €1,090 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Does a SEIUM qualification count for regulated vehicle engineering in Malta?
Vehicle type approval and homologation in Malta follow EU frameworks administered through the Transport Malta authority. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by any national body. Whether they are recognised for particular roles is decided by employers or the relevant body, so it is worth confirming before enrolling.
What career opportunities for 2-wheeler engineers exist in Malta?
Malta has a small market for motorcycles and two-wheelers, mainly through dealerships, importers, servicing and parts supply. Opportunities are limited compared with larger countries, so many professionals work in adjacent areas such as electronics or design. Employers decide how much value they place on a private online qualification, so direct conversations with them are advisable.
Is the programme workload manageable alongside work, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English. Hours range from 300 for specialist courses to 1,900 for master's programmes, so choose according to the time you can commit. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and each student has an assigned technical tutor for guidance.
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
Analyse the aerodynamic forces and moments of a motorcycle at high speed.
Design devices that generate aerodynamic downforce.
Evaluate the effect of aerodynamic downforce on vehicle dynamics.
Study active aerodynamic devices and their constraints.
Apply experimental and numerical tools for aerodynamic analysis.
Integrate safety and regulatory requirements into the design.
Develop a validated downforce device concept.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- Vehicle dynamics engineer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- Competition engineer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- Track testing engineer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- Fairing designer wishing to specialise in Motorcycle Downforce and High Speed.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter motorcycle racing.
What you'll work with
- FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations
- Reglamento (UE) n.º 168/2013
- Reglamento Delegado (UE) n.º 44/2014
- SAE J1594
- SAE J2084
- UN R75
- ISO 7117
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Aerodynamic drag and frontal area1.2Lift and pitching moment coefficients1.3Centre of pressure and its position1.4Influence of the rider on the airflow1.5Top speeds and required power1.6Crosswind and stability1.7Gusts and disturbances1.8Ground effect on motorcycles1.9Differences from the car1.10Workshop: required power versus top speed
2.1Side wings and winglets2.2Low aspect ratio aerofoils2.3Downforce versus induced drag2.4Load at lean angle and lateral component2.5Devices on the lower fairing2.6Rear wings and tail fins2.7Effect on the front wheel2.8Regulatory design constraints2.9Evolution in competition2.10Practical: loading a winglet using aerofoil theory
3.1Reduction of wheelies under acceleration3.2Front wheel load under braking3.3Aerodynamic load transfer in corners3.4Effect on manoeuvrability3.5Suspension stiffness with aerodynamic load3.6High-speed stability3.7Interaction with anti-wheelie control3.8Behaviour in slipstream3.9Influence on tyres3.10Laboratory: lap simulation with an aerodynamic map
4.1Variable-angle wings4.2Actuators and electronic control4.3Strategies by corner phase4.4Ride-height devices4.5Functional safety of active aerodynamics4.6Regulation of moving devices4.7Added mass and complexity4.8Reliability under race conditions4.9Application to road motorcycles4.10Case study: active wing strategy under braking
5.1Full-vehicle CFD simulation5.2Wind tunnel testing5.3On-track measurements with pressure sensors5.4Coast-down and coefficient estimation5.5Multi-hole pressure probes5.6Load measurement with instrumented suspension5.7Correlation between methods5.8Measurement uncertainties5.9Aerodynamic data management5.10Practical: coefficient estimation using coast-down data
6.1Land speed record vehicles on salt flats6.2Fully enclosed aerodynamic fairings6.3Directional stability at very high speed6.4Record-breaking tyres6.5Rider safety6.6Parachutes and braking6.7Record regulations6.8Engineering lessons6.9Transfer to production vehicles6.10Case study: analysis of a record-breaking vehicle
7.1External protrusions and edges7.2Risk to pedestrians and other road users7.3Homologation requirements for fairings7.4Wing impact testing7.5Competition regulations7.6Manufacturer liability7.7Maintenance and damage7.8User information7.9Aftermarket aerodynamic accessories7.10Workshop: safety review of a winglet
8.1Vehicle definition and objectives8.2Conceptual device design8.3Estimation of aerodynamic loads8.4Simulation of dynamic effects8.5Safety and regulatory analysis8.6Test plan8.7Evaluation of results8.8Final aerodynamic configuration proposal8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it compatible 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, XFLR5, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real on-track coast-down procedures to estimate aerodynamic coefficients, load measurement with instrumented suspension at high speed, and lap simulation with an aerodynamic map. Assessment is continuous, module by module, 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.
Analyse the aerodynamic forces and moments of a motorcycle at high speed.
Design devices that generate aerodynamic downforce.
Evaluate the effect of aerodynamic downforce on vehicle dynamics.
Study active aerodynamic devices and their constraints.
Apply experimental and numerical tools for aerodynamic analysis.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Spanish language proficiency sufficient 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, XFLR5 and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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