Master’s in Motorcycle Design: Identity and Ergonomics
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in motorcycle design: identity and ergonomics, covering riding posture, tanks and fairings, and rider-machine interaction. 12 modules covering typologies, brand DNA, rider and passenger ergonomics, chassis geometry, sketching and digital design, clay modelling, controls and lighting, CMF, aerodynamics, type approval and product development, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Motorcycle Design: Identity and Ergonomics — studying from South Africa
Materials and manufacturing underpin South Africa's mining, metals, automotive and heavy engineering industries. The country's rich mineral base supports research and production in metallurgy, polymers and advanced materials, and the CSIR and universities contribute to materials science. Quality management and standards compliance are essential for exporters, supported by the South African Bureau of Standards. Engineers in this field work on process control, materials testing and continuous improvement across production lines.
Fees for South Africa: R 148 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. For quality and manufacturing, relevant bodies include the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and professional engineering institutions, with ECSA handling professional registration. Recognition of a private qualification rests with employers or those bodies, so confirm acceptance with them before you enrol.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in materials and manufacturing?
Manufacturers, materials suppliers and quality departments value practical knowledge of materials behaviour, process control and quality systems. A private advanced qualification can strengthen a CV, especially combined with shop-floor or engineering experience. Its value is judged by each employer, so discuss it with potential employers in your industry to gauge how it would be received.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home and do not need a student visa. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay fees in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Check the time-zone and workload details with SEIUM directly.
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
Analyse typologies and formal languages to build a consistent brand identity.
Apply ergonomic criteria to rider and passenger in different postures.
Understand how geometry and dynamics influence proportions.
Master sketching and digital surface modelling.
Produce physical models and assess perceived quality.
Select materials, colours and finishes according to use and cost.
Integrate type-approval requirements from the start of the design.
Who it's for
- Motorcycle designers at manufacturers and design studios.
- Class-A digital modellers working on surfaces in Alias.
- Clay modellers producing full-scale models.
- Vehicle ergonomics specialists.
- CMF designers in the two-wheeler sector.
- Motorcycle product managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 168/2013 (approval of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles)
- UNECE R53 (installation of lighting on L3 vehicles)
- ISO 5349-1 (human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration)
- UNECE R81 (rear-view mirrors for two-wheelers)
- UNECE R41 (noise emissions of motorcycles)
- UNECE R78 (braking of L-category vehicles)
- ISO 26262-12 (functional safety adapted to motorcycles)
- Autodesk Alias
- Rhinoceros
- Gravity Sketch
- Adobe Photoshop
- BikeSim
12 modules
1.1Evolution of motorcycle design1.2Segments: naked, sport, trail, custom and scooter1.3Design icons and schools1.4Influence of engine architecture1.5Proportions and stance1.6Italian, Japanese and British schools1.7Café racer and customisation culture1.8Formal languages of the electric motorcycle1.9Market analysis by segment1.10Case study: comparison of three benchmark models
2.1Translating brand DNA into the product2.2Signature elements: headlight, tank and tail2.3Range consistency2.4Surfaces and character lines2.5Graphics, colours and liveries2.6Visual benchmarking and moodboards2.7Product semantics2.8Evolution versus disruption2.9Heritage and neo-retro design2.10Workshop: range identity manual
3.1Handlebar, seat and footpeg triangle3.2Rider anthropometry and percentiles3.3Sport, upright and cruiser postures3.4Reach to levers and controls3.5Seat height and foot support3.6Passenger ergonomics3.7Wind protection and helmet turbulence3.8Hand-arm vibration to ISO 53493.9Fatigue on long-distance trips3.10Lab: adjustable ergonomic rig
4.1Rake, trail and wheelbase4.2Centre of gravity and mass distribution4.3Stability versus agility4.4Trellis, perimeter and monocoque frames4.5Forks, shock absorbers and swingarms4.6Influence of tyres4.7Squat and anti-squat4.8Wobble and weave instability modes4.9Integration between design and engineering4.10Practical: dynamic simulation with BikeSim
5.1Motorcycle sketching in perspective5.2Hand and Photoshop renderings5.3Digital illustration in Procreate5.4Side-view package drawing5.5Concept modelling in Gravity Sketch5.6Class-A surfaces in Alias5.7Mechanical components in Rhino5.8Iteration and selection of proposals5.9Presentations to design management5.10Workshop: sketch of a mid-displacement naked bike
6.1Full-scale clay modelling6.2Clay tools and techniques6.33D scanning and reverse engineering6.4CNC milling of models6.53D printing of components6.6Functional rolling prototypes6.7Surface and reflection refinement6.8Design reviews on the model6.9Perceived quality in the model6.10Practical: fuel tank modelled in clay
7.1Handlebar switchgear7.2TFT dashboards and connectivity7.3Readability in full sunlight7.4Riding modes and menus7.5Smartphone integration7.6Helmet head-up display7.7Cornering ABS and traction control7.8LED lighting signature7.9Lighting and signalling requirements7.10Case study: redesign of the left-hand switchgear
8.1Injection-moulded and painted plastics8.2Carbon fibre and composites8.3Cast and forged aluminium8.4Seat foams and upholstery8.5Anodising and surface treatments8.6Colour and finish strategy8.7UV durability and corrosion8.8Weight versus cost trade-off8.9Sustainable materials in motorcycles8.10Lab: CMF sample board for a model
9.1Drag coefficient and frontal area9.2Fairings and windscreens9.3Aerodynamic winglets on sport bikes9.4Engine and radiator cooling9.5Hot air flow towards the rider9.6CFD applied to motorcycles9.7Wind tunnel testing with a rider9.8Aerodynamic noise in the helmet9.9Protection against rain and cold9.10Practical: CFD study of a windscreen
10.1Regulation (EU) 168/2013 and L categories10.2Lighting to UNECE R5310.3Rear-view mirrors to UNECE R8110.4Noise to UNECE R4110.5Euro 5+ emissions10.6Braking to UNECE R7810.7Airbags and passive safety10.8Type approval of accessories10.9Technical type-approval file10.10Case study: type-approval dossier
11.1Briefing and product definition11.2Product clinics with users11.3Project management at a manufacturer11.4Target cost and feasibility11.5Collaboration with suppliers11.6Development schedule11.7Customisation and accessory catalogue11.8Launch and communication11.9Lessons from success stories11.10Workshop: brief for a new model
12.1Model brief and positioning12.2User and market research12.3Package and base geometry12.4Sketch exploration12.5Class-A digital modelling12.6Rider ergonomic study12.7CMF and graphics proposal12.8Physical model or final render12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Alias, Rhinoceros, Gravity Sketch, Adobe Photoshop and BikeSim, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures: full-scale clay modelling, ergonomic tests on an adjustable rig and product clinics with riders. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 168/2013, UNECE R53, ISO 5349-1, UNECE R81, UNECE R41, UNECE R78, ISO 26262-12.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Autodesk Alias, Rhinoceros, Gravity Sketch, Adobe Photoshop and BikeSim, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the 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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