Course in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils)
Online 300 h course in hydrodynamics of hydrofoils (foils). 6 modules with HSC Code 2000, the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, DNV-RU-HSLC Rules for High Speed and Light Craft and XFOIL. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils) — studying from New Zealand
Maritime engineering is significant for New Zealand, given its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone and a strong sailing and boatbuilding tradition. Auckland, often called the City of Sails, hosts boatbuilders, marine service providers and offshore engineering firms, while Maritime New Zealand regulates safety at sea. Opportunities include naval architecture, offshore energy and aquaculture, and the New Zealand Defence Force's naval fleet supports further demand.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies regulate marine and offshore engineering?
Maritime New Zealand regulates maritime safety and the operation of vessels, and Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers. Marine surveying and certain roles require recognised certificates issued by official bodies. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not replace these requirements.
Do marine and offshore employers in New Zealand value private qualifications?
New Zealand has active marine, boatbuilding, port and offshore sectors, particularly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Employers usually prioritise recognised certificates, licences and practical experience. A SEIUM qualification may support an application, but whether it is valued is for each employer to decide.
Can I study this part-time from New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You are assigned a technical tutor and must complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
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
Understand the hydrodynamic lift of foils.
Analyse cavitation and ventilation on profiles and struts.
Model flight dynamics and their control.
Structurally design foils in composite materials.
Evaluate commercial and sport applications of hydrofoils.
Apply the regulations for high-speed craft.
Develop the preliminary design of a foiling craft.
Who it's for
- Hydrofoil engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- Fast craft designer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- Flight control engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- Composites engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- Marine R&D manager wishing to specialise in Hydrodynamics of Hydrofoils (Foils).
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter electric ferries.
What you'll work with
- HSC Code 2000 International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft
- DNV-RU-HSLC Rules for High Speed and Light Craft
- ISO 12215-9 Sailing boat appendages
- Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft
- ITTC 7.5-02-05-01 High Speed Marine Vehicles: Resistance Test
- World Sailing Equipment Rules of Sailing
- IMO Resolution MSC.97(73) adoption of the HSC Code 2000
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Hydrodynamic profiles and lift coefficients1.2Lift-to-drag ratio and efficiency1.3Surface-piercing versus fully submerged foils1.4Effect of free-surface proximity1.5Take-off and transition to flight1.6Canard and conventional configurations1.7History: from Forlanini to foiling ferries1.8Foil scaling and Reynolds number1.9Loads on struts and foils1.10Case study: sizing a lifting foil
2.1Cavitation on profiles at high speed2.2Design of supercavitating profiles2.3Ventilation from the free surface2.4Struts and flow separation2.5Sudden loss of lift2.6Anti-ventilation fence designs2.7Operational speed limits2.8Tank and channel testing of foils2.9Erosion and foil damage2.10Practice: estimating cavitation inception speed
3.1Longitudinal stability in flight3.2Height control: sensors and flaps3.3Mechanical systems with surface-tracking probes3.4Electronic control and actuators3.5Response in waves and wave orbital motion3.6Lateral stability and coordinated turns3.7Six degrees of freedom models3.8PID controller tuning3.9Safety against control failures3.10Laboratory: height control simulation
4.1Design loads and safety factors4.2Carbon fibre and prepreg laminates4.3Moulding and autoclave manufacturing4.4Titanium and steel metal foils4.5Joints between foil, strut and hull4.6Laminate fatigue4.7Deformation and aeroelastic effects4.8Inspection and quality control4.9Repair of impact damage4.10Workshop: laminating a scale foil
5.1Foiling electric ferries5.2Sport craft: Moth, kitefoil and WASZP5.3AC75 and IMOCA racing yachts5.4Work and patrol boats5.5Energy savings compared with planing hulls5.6Comfort and reduced motion5.7Regulations applicable to foiling ferries5.8Safety aspects and collision with objects5.9Market and technology trends5.10Case study: evaluating a foiling electric ferry
6.1Mission and speed requirements6.2Foil configuration and layout6.3Hydrodynamic profile design6.4Cavitation and ventilation analysis6.5Flight control system6.6Structural calculation of foils and struts6.7Power and range estimation6.8Operational safety analysis6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is XFOIL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for flight height control simulation, strut ventilation testing and structural calculation of carbon foils. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the hydrodynamic lift of foils.
Analyse cavitation and ventilation on profiles and struts.
Model flight dynamics and their control.
Structurally design foils in composite materials.
Evaluate commercial and sport applications of hydrofoils.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish 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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with XFOIL, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, ANSYS Composite PrepPost. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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