Off-Road Powertrain Sizing Course
Online 300-hour course in Off-Road powertrain sizing. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emissions from non-road mobile machinery), ISO 14396 (engine power for non-road mobile machinery) and GT-SUITE. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Off-Road Powertrain Sizing Course — studying from the United Kingdom
Off-road, special vehicles and heavy machinery are important to the United Kingdom's manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Companies in the Midlands, the North East and Scotland produce construction equipment, agricultural machinery, specialist vehicles and mining equipment. JCB, headquartered in Staffordshire, is a prominent example, alongside many specialist suppliers. Engineers work on hydraulics, powertrain, chassis and control systems, meeting regulatory and safety requirements for working machines.
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
Are there UK professional bodies that recognise off-road and specialist vehicle engineering training?
Relevant UK bodies include the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of the Motor Industry and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. Recognition for membership usually depends on accredited qualifications and experience. SEIUM's courses are private and not accredited by any national body, so the relevant institution would decide independently whether to accept any of the training.
Will UK employers in construction, agriculture or specialist vehicles value this qualification?
Employers in these sectors often prioritise practical skills, machinery experience and familiarity with safety standards. A private online qualification may strengthen an application where it evidences specialist knowledge, particularly through a final project, but its value is decided by each employer. Ask prospective employers how they regard such training.
Can I study alongside work in the UK, and how are fees handled?
Programmes are fully online, taught in English and fit around work schedules, with an assigned technical tutor for guidance. Study ranges from 300 to 1,900 hours depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. No visa is needed because you study from within the UK.
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
Define powertrain requirements based on the duty cycle.
Compare mechanical, hydrostatic, hybrid and electric architectures.
Size the engine, transmission and axles for the required performance.
Simulate and optimise the fuel consumption and performance of the powertrain.
Plan the integration and validation on the vehicle and on the test bench.
Assess the impact of emissions regulations on design.
Analyse the economic viability of the transition to electrified powertrains.
Who it's for
- Powertrain engineer looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Systems simulation engineer looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Transmission engineer looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Vehicle integration engineer looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Electrification engineer looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Machinery product manager looking to specialise in Off-Road Powertrain Sizing.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join construction machinery manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emissions from non-road mobile machinery)
- ISO 14396 (engine power for non-road mobile machinery)
- ISO 6336 (load capacity of cylindrical gears)
- ISO 1585 (net engine power)
- ISO 281 (rolling bearing life)
- ISO 8178 (measurement of emissions from reciprocating engines)
- ISO 6469-1 (safety of electric vehicles: batteries)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Machine mission and duty cycle1.2Rolling, gradient and inertia resistances1.3Required tractive effort1.4Travel and work function power1.5Simultaneity of functions and power sharing1.6Utilisation factor and average power1.7Regulatory and emissions requirements1.8Weight, space and cost constraints1.9Design criteria and priorities1.10Workshop: defining the cycle and requirements
2.1Diesel with mechanical transmission2.2Diesel with torque converter and powershift2.3Hydrostatic transmission2.4Continuous transmission2.5Series hybrid and parallel hybrid2.6Battery electric and cable-fed2.7Fuel cell as generator2.8Architecture comparison by application2.9Component maturity and availability2.10Practice: architecture pre-selection for a machine
3.1Selection of the main engine or drive3.2Sizing of the transmission and reduction gears3.3Sizing of pumps and circuits3.4Selection of axles and brakes3.5Sizing of the cooling system3.6Sizing of the energy system in electric vehicles3.7Mass distribution and stability3.8Design margins and safety factors3.9Verification against initial requirements3.10Practice: complete sizing of a powertrain
4.1Model of the machine and the cycle4.2Simulation of consumption and performance4.3Component efficiency maps4.4Energy management strategies4.5Optimisation for consumption, cost or performance4.6Sensitivity analysis of assumptions4.7Quantitative comparison of architectures4.8Model validation with real data4.9Presenting results to management4.10Practice: comparative simulation of two architectures
5.1Layout of components on the machine5.2Accessibility for maintenance5.3Overall thermal management5.4Mechanical and electrical interfaces5.5Performance validation plan5.6Traction, gradient and cycle tests5.7Consumption and emissions tests5.8Durability tests5.9Technical documentation of the assembly5.10Practice: performance validation plan
6.1Cost of the powertrain and life-cycle cost6.2Energy cost over the service life6.3Residual value and market perception6.4Emissions regulations and timelines6.5Availability of energy infrastructure6.6Project risks and mitigation6.7Common mistakes in sizing6.8Manufacturer's technology roadmap6.9Communicating the proposal to the client6.10Final project: sizing and justification of a powertrain
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, AVL CRUISE M, KISSsoft, Simcenter Amesim, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real duty-cycle simulation procedures, engine bench tests and prototype validation in real terrain. Assessment is continuous across modules, 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.
Define powertrain requirements based on the duty cycle.
Compare mechanical, hydrostatic, hybrid and electric architectures.
Size the engine, transmission and axles for the required performance.
Simulate and optimise the fuel consumption and performance of the powertrain.
Plan the integration and validation on the vehicle and on the test bench.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Spanish-language proficiency sufficient to follow technical standards 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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, AVL CRUISE M, KISSsoft and Simcenter Amesim. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area count towards the advanced programme. Please consult the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Virtual Simulation of Agricultural Operations Course
Online 300-hour course in virtual simulation of agricultural operations. 6 modules covering the FAO-56 Bulletin (crop evapotranspiration), ASABE EP496 (agricultural machinery management) and DSSAT. Assigned tutor…
Electronic Diesel Injection Diagnostics Course
Online 300-hour course in electronic diesel injection diagnostics. 6 modules covering ISO 14229 (Unified Diagnostic Services, UDS), SAE J1939 (CAN network for heavy vehicles) and Bosch…
Preventive Maintenance for Transmissions Course
Online course of 300 h in preventive maintenance for transmissions. 6 modules covering EN 13306 (maintenance terminology), EN 15341 (maintenance indicators) and SAP PM. Assigned tutor…
More in Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery
All Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships