Adjustable ailerons course on the track
Online course of 300 hours in adjustable wings on track: 6 modules covering wing aerodynamics, adjustment mechanisms, aerodynamic balance, choice of downforce level by circuit, and on-track adjustment and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Adjustable ailerons course on the track — studying from the United Kingdom
The UK automotive industry is a significant contributor to manufacturing, with major plants in the West Midlands, the North East and the South West, and a strong presence of global brands and specialist engineering firms. Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan Sunderland, Toyota Burnaston and Mini Oxford shape demand for engineers in vehicle design, powertrain, body engineering and production. Motorsport engineering is concentrated around Silverstone, Northamptonshire and the Oxfordshire and Midlands area, where Formula One teams and endurance racing operations employ large numbers of specialists. Engineers in this sector work on product development, testing and supply chain management.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £664 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies are relevant to automotive engineering qualifications and professional registration?
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) are established UK bodies in this field, and the Engineering Council regulates chartered and incorporated engineer titles. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so they do not automatically provide professional registration. Ask IMechE or the Engineering Council how your study would be assessed for registration.
How are automotive and motorsport qualifications viewed by UK employers?
UK car manufacturers, suppliers and motorsport teams typically assess candidates on practical capability, project evidence and experience. A private qualification can demonstrate specialist study, but employers decide how much weight to give it. Building a portfolio of relevant technical projects alongside your study will strengthen your position with UK employers.
Is it realistic to study automotive engineering online while working in the UK, and does my employer need to fund it?
Online study means you can fit learning around work without relocating or needing a student visa. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer sponsorship for job-related training, which is a common arrangement in general terms but depends on your employer's policy. Your assigned technical tutor can help you plan your workload. Confirm the time commitment and fee schedule before enrolling.
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 aerodynamic behaviour of multi-element wings.
Adjust the regulation mechanisms with precision and repeatability.
Analyse aerodynamic balance and its effect on car behaviour.
Select the appropriate downforce level for each circuit.
Design on-track wing test plans.
Interpret telemetry to validate set-up changes.
Document set-up sheets for each event.
Who it's for
- Track engineers.
- Aerodynamicists.
- Performance engineers.
- Set-up technicians.
- Race mechanics.
- Data analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter formula racing.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for Formula 1 cars)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (technical regulations for competition vehicles)
- FIA GT3 Technical Regulations (technical rules for GT3 cars)
- SAE J1594 (vehicle aerodynamics terminology)
- SAE J2084 (aerodynamic wind tunnel testing)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics vocabulary)
- XFLR5
- OptimumLap
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- Ansys Fluent
6 modules
1.1NACA and high-lift aerofoils1.2Angle of attack and stall1.3Multi-element wing configurations1.4Slot gap between main plane and flap1.5Endplates and tip vortices1.6Ground effect on front wings1.7Lift-induced drag1.8Cz-alpha curves and polars1.9Pressure distribution on the suction and pressure sides1.10Practical exercise: polar of an aerofoil with XFLR5
2.1Adjustment by discrete positions2.2Screw and eccentric mechanisms2.3Interchangeable Gurney flaps2.4Front flap adjustment during a pit stop2.5DRS systems and actuators2.6Tolerances and repeatability2.7Regulatory deflection tests2.8Fixings and pylons2.9Locking and safety of the adjustment2.10Workshop: calibration of wing positions
3.1Centre of pressure and load distribution3.2Aerodynamic understeer and oversteer3.3Balance at high and low speed3.4Relationship with suspension stiffness3.5Effect of fuel load and weight3.6Balance in fast corners3.7Sensitivity of balance to ride height3.8Balance maps by configuration3.9Reading balance in telemetry3.10Case study: correcting understeer in fast corners
4.1High- and low-downforce circuits4.2Trade-off between top speed and cornering speed4.3Lap simulation with different levels4.4Effect of wind and temperature4.5Wet-weather configuration4.6Cooling and associated downforce4.7Sensitivity to traffic4.8Choice for qualifying and race4.9Restrictions on homologated parts4.10Case study: wing choice for two circuits
5.1Wing test plan5.2Coastdown tests on the straight5.3Driver feedback and its interpretation5.4Pressure and load sensors5.5Analysis of minimum cornering speed5.6Repeatability of changes5.7Recording configurations5.8Quick changes in the pits5.9Common adjustment mistakes5.10Practical exercise: one-day test plan
6.1Selection of circuit and vehicle6.2Balance objectives6.3Simulation of configurations6.4In-session adjustment plan6.5Analysis of results6.6Final set-up sheet6.7Estimation of lap-time gain6.8Plan for quick pit changes6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is XFLR5, OptimumLap, MoTeC i2 Pro and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: wing calibration in the pits, coastdown tests on the straight and choosing the configuration for each circuit. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code; FIA GT3 Technical Regulations; SAE J1594; SAE J2084; ISO 8855.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with XFLR5, OptimumLap, MoTeC i2 Pro and Ansys Fluent, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you only need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme 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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