Postgraduate Diploma in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED. 8 modules covering the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the FIA International Sporting Code and Kinovea. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED — 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 20 400 (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
Analyse pit stops against regulatory and technical criteria.
Apply SMED methodology to pit-stop operations.
Study movements and timings using video.
Design choreographies for different pit-stop scenarios.
Specify equipment and car design for the pit stop.
Plan pit-crew training.
Manage safety and human error in the pit lane.
Who it's for
- Pit-stop coordinator wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Competition mechanic wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Chief mechanic wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Lean process engineer wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Team fitness coach wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Pit-lane safety manager wishing to specialise in Pit-Stop Choreography and Advanced SMED.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter single-seater motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations
- FIA International Sporting Code
- FIA Standard 8856-2018 protective clothing
- ISO 18404 Lean and Six Sigma competences
- ISO 13053-1 Six Sigma DMAIC methodology
- Law 31/1995 on Occupational Risk Prevention
- ISO 11228-3 repetitive handling
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Historical evolution of pit stops1.2Pit lane and pit stop regulations1.3Composition of the pit crew1.4Role of each position1.5Equipment: guns, jacks and lights1.6Current reference times1.7Total time lost in the pits1.8Endurance versus sprint pit stops1.9Safety in the pit lane1.10Workshop: video breakdown of a pit stop
2.1Origins of SMED at Toyota2.2Internal and external operations2.3Converting internal to external operations2.4Rationalising operations2.5Standardising tasks2.6Eliminating adjustments2.7Parallelising operations2.8Measurement and timing2.9SMED applied to motorsport2.10Practice: SMED analysis of a front wing change
3.1Methods and time study3.2High-speed video analysis3.3Travel diagrams3.4Task analysis per operator3.5Reaction times3.6Variability between stops3.7Identifying bottlenecks3.8Video analysis tools3.9Team benchmarking3.10Laboratory: analysis of a pit stop with Kinovea
4.1Spatial layout around the car4.2Sequence and synchronisation4.3Entry and exit paths for personnel4.4Signals and non-verbal communication4.5Choreographies for different scenarios4.6Driver change in endurance racing4.7Refuelling in categories with fuel4.8Double stops in the same box4.9Designing contingencies for failures4.10Case study: double-stop choreography
5.1Pneumatic guns and their maintenance5.2Captive wheel nuts5.3Quick-release jacks5.4Car design for the pit stop5.5Wheel-fixed detection systems5.6Lights and automated systems5.7Tyre warmers5.8Preventive equipment maintenance5.9Recent innovations in pit equipment5.10Practice: designing a wheel gun holder
6.1Pit-stop practice programmes6.2Pit-stop simulators6.3Individual performance measurement6.4Feedback using data and video6.5Consistency versus speed6.6Performance under pressure6.7Rotation and substitutes6.8Training calendar6.9Specific physical preparation6.10Case study: weekly practice plan
7.1Pit-lane risks7.2Unsafe release and penalties7.3Personnel protective equipment7.4Managing human error7.5Procedures for a wheel not properly secured7.6Fires and refuelling7.7Analysis of pit-stop incidents7.8Safety culture7.9Procedure review7.10Workshop: analysis of an unsafe release
8.1Definition of category and regulations8.2Analysis of the current pit stop8.3Application of the SMED method8.4Choreography design8.5Equipment selection8.6Training plan8.7Safety plan8.8Performance indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Kinovea, Dartfish, Hudl, Microsoft Power BI, Python with OpenCV, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: high-speed video analysis of pit stops, choreography training, and review of pit-lane incidents. Assessment is continuous across each module, plus a final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Analyse pit stops against regulatory and technical criteria.
Apply SMED methodology to pit-stop operations.
Study movements and timings using video.
Design choreographies for different pit-stop scenarios.
Specify equipment and car design for the pit stop.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with Kinovea, Dartfish, Hudl, Microsoft Power BI, Python with OpenCV. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma of your own upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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