Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management. 8 modules covering FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations and STAR-CCM+. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management — 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: £1,070 (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
Explain low-speed aerodynamics.
Analyse the physics of vortex generation and interaction.
Manage wakes to improve performance in traffic.
Design flow control devices.
Simulate vortical flows using appropriate models.
Plan tests and visualisation techniques.
Apply vortex management to vehicle development.
Who it's for
- Aerodynamicist wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- CFD engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Wind tunnel engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Development engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Performance engineer wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Fluid mechanics researcher wishing to specialise in Low-Speed Aero and Vortex Management.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations
- FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations
- SAE J1594
- SAE J2084
- ASME V&V 20
- IEC 60825-1
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Reynolds number and flow regime1.2Laminar and turbulent boundary layers1.3Separation and laminar bubbles1.4High-lift aerofoils1.5Ground effect at low speed1.6Downforce in slow corners1.7Ride height sensitivity1.8Differences from high speed1.9Slow circuit data1.10Case study: loss of downforce in a hairpin
2.1Vortex generation at extremities2.2Leading-edge vortices2.3Endplate vortices2.4Vortex interaction2.5Stability and breakdown2.6Ground vortices2.7Lateral sealing with vortices2.8Wheel vortices2.9Vortex visualisation2.10Practice: vortex identification using the Q criterion
3.1Front wheel wake3.2Outwash and inwash3.3Wheel flow management3.4Wake of a following car3.5Loss of downforce in traffic3.6Designing to follow another car3.72022 regulations and ground effect3.8Wake performance metrics3.9Two-car simulation3.10Laboratory: CFD simulation of a car in a wake
4.1Vortex generators4.2Gurney flaps at the trailing edge4.3Slots and multi-element wings4.4Edge devices4.5Bargeboards and side deflectors4.6Turning vanes under the nose4.7Endplate fences4.8Ground control4.9Regulatory restrictions on devices4.10Workshop: vortex generator design
5.1Turbulence and vortex models5.2RANS versus LES and DES5.3Mesh resolution for vortices5.4Numerical diffusion of vortices5.5Transient simulation5.6Vortex post-processing5.7Validation with PIV5.8Computational cost and HPC resources5.9Best practice in vortical simulation5.10Practice: RANS and DES comparison
6.1Low-speed wind tunnel testing6.2Paraffin flow visualisation6.3Wool tufts6.4PIV in the wind tunnel6.5Pressure rakes6.6Correlation with CFD6.7On-track testing6.8Scale limitations6.9Data analysis6.10Case study: interpreting on-track flow visualisation
7.1Front wing design7.2Ground vortex management7.3Yaw sensitivity7.4Slow corner performance7.5High-speed trade-offs7.6Development by circuit7.7Lessons from teams7.8Development planning7.9Testing restrictions7.10Case study: package for a slow circuit
8.1Case definition8.2Baseline flow analysis8.3Device design8.4Vortex simulation8.5Wake study8.6Experimental validation in the wind tunnel8.7Optimisation of flow control devices8.8Final results report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, Tecplot 360, ParaView, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for CFD simulation of cars in wakes, wind tunnel visualisation tests and on-track paraffin flow visualisation. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain aerodynamics in the low-speed regime.
Analyse the physics of vortex generation and interaction.
Manage wakes to improve performance in traffic.
Design flow control devices.
Simulate vortical flows with appropriate models.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English to read technical regulations.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses STAR-CCM+, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, Tecplot 360 and ParaView. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
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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