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 South Africa
The automotive sector is one of South Africa's most important manufacturing industries, with major plants in the Eastern Cape around Gqeberha, in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng. Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Ford and Volkswagen South Africa operate assembly and component facilities that export vehicles and parts across Africa and beyond. The sector relies on engineers skilled in powertrain design, vehicle dynamics, quality and production systems. Motorsport activity, including circuits at Kyalami and Zwartkops, adds further demand for performance engineering.
Fees for South Africa: R 12 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies recognise automotive engineering skills, and does SEIUM count?
Professional recognition for engineers in South Africa runs through ECSA, which registers engineers, technicians and technologists under the Engineering Profession Act. Automotive trades also fall under bodies such as the MERSETA for skills development. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by a national body, so whether they are recognised is up to the employer or the relevant body to decide.
Will this programme help me find work in South Africa's automotive or motorsport industry?
South Africa has a significant automotive manufacturing and component sector, and motorsport teams and suppliers also hire engineers. Employers typically look at practical experience, recognised qualifications and references. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Speak to potential employers about whether they would value it.
How does the course fit around a job, and how are fees paid?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so choose the level that matches your available time. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Ask your employer whether they would fund part of the training.
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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