Postgraduate Diploma in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV. 8 modules covering ISO 5167-1, ISO 2186 and PIVlab. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV — 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 24 000 (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
Select instrumentation for aerodynamic measurements.
Design pressure tap layouts.
Measure pressures on track with rakes and sensors.
Understand the fundamentals of PIV.
Apply lightweight PIV systems in motorsport.
Process and analyse pressure and velocity data.
Integrate instrumentation into the development process.
Who it's for
- Instrumentation engineer who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Wind tunnel engineer who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Aerodynamicist who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Test technician who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Fluid mechanics researcher who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Metrology engineer who wants to specialise in Aero Instrumentation: Pressure Taps and Lightweight PIV.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- ISO 5167-1
- ISO 2186
- IEC 60825-1
- ISO/IEC 17025
- ISO/IEC Guide 98-3
- IEC 62828-1
- SAE J2084
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Static and total pressure measurement1.2Pitot tubes and multi-hole probes1.3Pressure transducers1.4Multichannel pressure scanners1.5Frequency response1.6Range and accuracy1.7Transducer calibration1.8Traceability of sensor calibrations1.9Sensor selection1.10Case study: scanner selection for a model
2.1Pressure tap design2.2Diameter and geometry2.3Tube routing2.4Errors due to tube length2.5Dynamic response correction2.6Integration into manufactured parts2.7Tap distribution2.8Integrating pressure into force2.9Maintenance of actuators and valves2.10Workshop: tap distribution on a wing flap
3.1Track rakes3.2On-board pressure sensors3.3Mounting limitations3.4Real-time measurement3.5Synchronisation with telemetry3.6Correction for conditions3.7Comparison with wind tunnel3.8Mounting safety3.9Data analysis3.10Practice: rake data analysis
4.1Principles of particle image velocimetry4.2Lasers and light sheets4.3Tracer particles and seeding4.4Cameras and synchronisation4.5Cross-correlation algorithms4.6Spatial resolution and interrogation windows4.7Measurement errors4.8Laser safety according to IEC 608254.9Stereoscopic three-component PIV4.10Laboratory: PIV processing with open-source software
5.1Compact and portable PIV systems5.2Illumination with pulsed LED lasers5.3Reduced measurement volumes5.4Wake applications5.5PIV in a motorsport wind tunnel5.6Cost and logistics5.7Data quality5.8Comparison with CFD5.9Limitations of the technique5.10Practice: designing a lightweight PIV test
6.1Data filtering6.2Temporal averaging of fields6.3Vorticity fields6.4Vortex detection6.5Statistical comparison between configurations6.6Visualisation of test results6.7Databases6.8Automation of processing6.9Final results report6.10Case study: wake analysis with PIV
7.1Using data for correlation7.2Improving CFD models7.3Instrumentation planning7.4Costs and logistics of each technique7.5Project management7.6Recording lessons learned7.7Regulatory restrictions on devices7.8Training the test team7.9Continuous improvement cycle for the process7.10Case study: instrumentation plan for a season
8.1Defining objectives8.2Tap design8.3Sensor selection8.4PIV measurement plan8.5Carrying out the tests8.6Data processing8.7Comparison with CFD8.8Final results report8.9Dissertation and presentation8.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is PIVlab, DaVis (LaVision), MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for pressure testing in wind tunnels, PIV measurements in wakes and rake measurements on track. Assessment is continuous, module by module, 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.
Select instrumentation for aerodynamic measurements.
Design pressure tap layouts.
Measure pressures on track with rakes and sensors.
Understand the fundamentals of PIV.
Apply lightweight PIV systems in motorsport.
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 Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses PIVlab, DaVis (LaVision), MATLAB, LabVIEW and Python. 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 integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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