Master’s in Tyre Science & Race Tyre Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in tyre science and race tyre engineering: 12 modules covering tyre materials and compounds, contact mechanics and grip, tyre force models, thermal behaviour, degradation, tyre testing, vehicle dynamics integration, race strategy and regulations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Tyre Science & Race Tyre Engineering — 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 166 000 (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 the structure and materials of the racing tyre.
Analyse contact mechanics and grip.
Model tyre forces with Pacejka and physical models.
Simulate the thermal behaviour of the tyre.
Analyse degradation and wear.
Integrate the tyre into vehicle dynamics.
Design tyre-based race strategies.
Who it's for
- Tyre engineers at teams or tyre manufacturers.
- Race engineers who need to get more out of the tyre.
- Race strategists working with degradation and compound data.
- Tyre modelling engineers building force and thermal models.
- Compound engineers in the rubber industry.
- Vehicle simulation engineers integrating tyre models.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics and road-holding vocabulary)
- SAE J2047 (tyre testing)
- FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations (technical rules for F1 cars)
- ISO 28580 (rolling resistance)
- ASTM D4065 (dynamic mechanical analysis, DMA)
- FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations (sporting rules, including tyre allocation)
- ETRTO Standards Manual (tyre and rim dimensions and load ratings)
- MF-Tool
- MATLAB
- Python
- FTire
- MoTeC i2
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Tyre anatomy: carcass, belt and tread1.2Slick, wet and intermediate tyres1.3Single suppliers and regulations1.4Allocation and use over a race weekend1.5Influence on lap time1.6The race engineer–supplier relationship1.7History of tyre technology1.8Tyre sustainability1.9Safety and failures1.10Case study: analysis of compound allocation at a Grand Prix
2.1Elastomers: natural and synthetic rubber2.2Reinforcing fillers: carbon black and silica2.3Vulcanisation2.4Viscoelasticity2.5Glass transition temperature2.6Storage and loss moduli2.7DMA testing2.8Compound design2.9Sustainable materials2.10Lab: interpretation of DMA curves
3.1Contact patch and pressure3.2Molecular adhesion and hysteresis3.3Persson's rubber friction theory3.4Asphalt roughness3.5Wet grip3.6Aquaplaning3.7Effect of temperature3.8Interaction with the track: rubbered-in surface3.9Contact patch measurement3.10Practical: contact patch calculation with inflation pressure
4.1Longitudinal and lateral forces4.2Self-aligning moment4.3Pacejka Magic Formula MF 6.24.4Physical brush models4.5MF-Swift and FTire models4.6Combined slip4.7Load and pressure sensitivity4.8Transient models4.9Model parameterisation4.10Lab: MF 6.2 fitting with MF-Tool
5.1Heat generation through hysteresis and sliding5.2Surface and core temperature5.3Operating window5.4Multi-node thermal models5.5Influence of pressure on temperature5.6Warm-up on the out-lap5.7Tyre blankets and their regulation5.8Tyre thermography5.9Thermal management in the race5.10Practical: multi-node thermal model in Python
6.1Wear mechanisms6.2Thermal degradation6.3Graining and blistering6.4Compound crystallisation6.5Degradation models6.6Race degradation curves6.7Influence of the driver6.8Influence of the set-up6.9Wear measurement6.10Case study: degradation analysis with lap time data
7.1Flat-track rigs7.2Drum testing7.3Stiffness testing7.4Instrumented track testing7.5Wheel force transducers7.6TPMS pressure and temperature sensors7.7Durability testing7.8Rig–track correlation7.9TTC test procedures7.10Lab: processing flat-track data
8.1Effect of the tyre on balance8.2Optimum camber and toe8.3Inflation pressures and regulatory minimums8.4Vertical stiffness and suspension8.5Tyres and aerodynamics8.6Tyres in simulators8.7Tyre usage in qualifying8.8Tyre usage in the race8.9Driver feedback8.10Practical: camber optimisation with simulation
9.1Pit-stop strategy models9.2Compound deltas9.3Undercut and overcut9.4Safety car and probabilities9.5Monte Carlo race simulation9.6Tyre management by the driver9.7Real-time decisions9.8Strategy tools9.9Post-race analysis9.10Lab: strategy simulator in Python
10.1FIA minimum pressures and cambers10.2Tyre failures and their analysis10.3High-speed endurance tests10.4Tyre blanket regulations10.5Compound restrictions10.6Homologation processes10.7Wet tyre regulations10.8Supplier responsibilities10.9Incident communication10.10Case study: analysis of a tyre failure
11.1The compound development process11.2Simulation in tyre design11.3Finite element modelling of tyres11.418-inch tyres11.5Tyres for electric racing cars11.6Smart sensors in tyres11.7Recycled and sustainable materials11.8Transfer to road tyres11.9Trends11.10Workshop: compound development plan
12.1Definition of the tyre problem12.2Data collection12.3Force modelling12.4Thermal modelling12.5Degradation analysis12.6Integration into simulation12.7Usage or strategy proposal12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online 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, so it can be combined with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MF-Tool, MATLAB, Python, FTire and MoTeC i2, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for fitting tyre models to rig data, thermal and degradation modelling and race strategy simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 8855, SAE J2047, FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations, ISO 28580, ASTM D4065, FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, ETRTO Standards Manual.
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 MF-Tool, MATLAB, Python, FTire and MoTeC i2, 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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