Course on the principles of combustion in high-performance engines
Online course of 300 hours in combustion principles for high-performance engines. 6 modules covering combustion thermodynamics, in-cylinder combustion, racing fuels, injection and gas exchange, and diagnosis and performance, with ISO 1585, SAE J1349, GT-SUITE and an assigned technical tutor.
Course on the principles of combustion in high-performance engines — 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: £537 (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 combustion thermodynamics in spark-ignition engines.
Analyse the combustion process using pressure curves.
Select fuels in accordance with FIA regulations.
Adjust injection and ignition maps.
Assess engine performance on the dynamometer.
Detect and prevent knock.
Propose justified combustion improvements.
Who it's for
- Engine engineers.
- Engine calibrators.
- Dynamometer technicians.
- Fuel engineers.
- Engine builders and tuners.
- Performance engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter competition motor sport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 1585 (engine testing, net power)
- SAE J1349 (engine power correction)
- Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (Art. 252.9, fuel) (fuel specification for competition cars)
- EN 228 (unleaded petrol)
- ASTM D2699 (research octane number, RON)
- ASTM D2700 (motor octane number, MON)
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for Formula 1)
- GT-SUITE
- Ricardo WAVE
- AVL BOOST
- MATLAB
- AVL IndiCom
6 modules
1.1Air-fuel mixture and stoichiometric ratio1.2Lambda factor and mixture richness1.3Calorific value of fuels1.4Ideal and real Otto cycle1.5Thermal and indicated efficiency1.6Mean effective pressure1.7Compression ratio and knock limit1.8Premixed combustion and flame front propagation1.9Laminar and turbulent flame speed1.10Practical: calculating air-fuel ratio and cycle efficiency
2.1Spark ignition and flame kernel2.2Ignition advance and MBT2.3Heat release law2.4Knock and auto-ignition2.5Pre-ignition and hot spots2.6Swirl and tumble in the chamber2.7Combustion chamber and piston shape2.8Pre-chamber combustion (TJI)2.9Cycle-to-cycle variability2.10Lab: analysis of in-cylinder pressure curves
3.1RON and MON octane ratings3.2Racing gasolines and additives3.3Ethanol and oxygenated fuels3.4Sustainable fuels in F1 and WEC3.5Methanol in specific categories3.6Volatility and vapour pressure3.7FIA fuel regulations3.8Fuel sampling at scrutineering3.9Safety in fuel handling3.10Case study: effect of ethanol on engine tuning
4.1Port and direct injection4.2Injection pressure and atomisation4.3Tuning injection maps4.4Volumetric efficiency and cylinder filling4.5Tuned intake manifolds4.6Camshafts and valve overlap4.7Exhaust and wave tuning4.8Forced induction and combustion4.9Regulatory intake restrictors4.10Workshop: reading a lambda map on the dyno
5.1Dynamometer and atmospheric correction5.2Torque and power curves5.3Gas analysis and wideband lambda sensor5.4Knock detection with sensors5.5Exhaust gas temperature5.6Brake specific fuel consumption5.7Thermal reliability of pistons5.8Spark plug reading5.9Friction losses5.10Case study: ignition advance optimisation on the dyno
6.1Selection of the engine and category6.2Basic thermodynamic model6.3Fuel and ignition strategy6.4Simulation with engine software6.5Analysis of in-cylinder pressure results6.6Proposed combustion chamber improvements6.7Knock risk assessment6.8Comparison of regulation-compliant fuels6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, Ricardo WAVE, AVL BOOST, MATLAB and AVL IndiCom, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for in-cylinder pressure analysis, dynamometer testing and ignition advance and air-fuel ratio tuning. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 1585; SAE J1349; Appendix J to the FIA International Sporting Code (Art. 252.9, fuel); EN 228; ASTM D2699; ASTM D2700; FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations.
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.
- 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.
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 GT-SUITE, Ricardo WAVE, AVL BOOST, MATLAB and AVL IndiCom, 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 need a computer able to run the programme software, an internet connection 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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