Postgraduate DiplomaOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Diploma in Fuel Engineering for Heavy-Duty Diesel

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in fuel engineering for heavy-duty diesel engines. 8 modules covering diesel fuel chemistry, renewable fuels, injection and combustion, additives, laboratory testing, aftertreatment and fleet fuel management, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Diploma in Fuel Engineering for Heavy-Duty Diesel — studying from Canada

Canada's off-road and heavy machinery sector serves mining, forestry, agriculture and construction, all major contributors to the national economy. Manufacturers and dealers in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia supply equipment for resource extraction and infrastructure. Mining activity in Northern Ontario, Quebec and the territories drives demand for rugged vehicle engineering and maintenance expertise. Engineers work on hydraulics, drivetrains, machine safety and special vehicle design.

Fees for Canada: C$1,400 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Canada

  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group)
  • Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
  • Canadian Agricultural Equipment Association (CAEA)
  • Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) – Canadian members

Typical roles

  • Off-Road Vehicle Engineer
  • Hydraulic Systems Engineer
  • Heavy Equipment Engineer
  • Machinery Safety Engineer

Questions from Canada

Is this programme recognised by professional bodies in Canada for off-road and special vehicle engineering?

SEIUM's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited nationally in Canada. Professional engineering titles are regulated provincially, and vehicle and equipment safety is governed by standards such as those from the CSA and rules from Transport Canada where applicable. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body.

What employers in Canada might value this qualification for special vehicles and machinery?

Employers could include mining, forestry, agricultural, construction and specialist vehicle manufacturers across Canada. Each employer decides how much weight to place on a private qualification, and practical experience is often central in these sectors. The final project can demonstrate applied capability, but it does not guarantee any role.

How can I study this while working in Canada, and how is it funded?

The programme is online and in English, so you can study from anywhere in Canada without a student visa. Choose from 300-hour specialist courses, 800-hour postgraduate diplomas or 1,900-hour master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, which some Canadian employers offer for job-relevant training.

Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the chemistry and specifications of diesel fuel.

02

Evaluate renewable fuels for heavy-duty diesel engines.

03

Analyse the influence of the fuel on injection and combustion.

04

Select additives according to service requirements.

05

Carry out and interpret standardised laboratory tests.

06

Diagnose fuel-related engine and aftertreatment failures.

07

Manage fuel quality and efficiency in fleets.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fuel engineers
  • Petrochemical laboratory technicians
  • Diesel engine engineers
  • Fleet energy managers
  • Additive specialists
  • Transport decarbonisation consultants
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into fuel refining and distribution
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EN 590 (automotive diesel fuel specification)
  • EN 15940 (paraffinic diesel fuels from synthesis or hydrotreatment)
  • EN 14214 (FAME biodiesel specification)
  • Directive 98/70/EC (fuel quality)
  • Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II) (promotion of renewable energy)
  • ISO 12156-1 (HFRR lubricity test)
  • EN 116 (cold filter plugging point)
  • EN 15751 (oxidation stability by the Rancimat method)
  • CONVERGE CFD
  • GT-SUITE
  • Ansys Chemkin-Pro
  • AVL FIRE M
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Diesel composition: paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics
  2. 1.2Cetane number and cetane index
  3. 1.3Distillation and the volatility curve
  4. 1.4Density and calorific value
  5. 1.5Sulphur content and desulphurisation
  6. 1.6Viscosity and lubricity
  7. 1.7Oxidation stability
  8. 1.8Cold-flow properties: CFPP and cloud point
  9. 1.9The EN 590 specification
  10. 1.10Workshop: interpreting a certificate of analysis
  1. 2.1FAME biodiesel and the EN 14214 standard
  2. 2.2Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)
  3. 2.3The EN 15940 specification for paraffinic diesel fuels
  4. 2.4Synthetic fuels (e-fuels)
  5. 2.5B7, B10 and B100 blends
  6. 2.6Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II)
  7. 2.7Sustainability and life-cycle emissions
  8. 2.8Compatibility with existing engines
  9. 2.9Logistics and storage of renewable fuels
  10. 2.10Case study: transitioning a fleet to HVO
  1. 3.1High-pressure common rail systems
  2. 3.2Atomisation and spray penetration
  3. 3.3Ignition delay
  4. 3.4Premixed and diffusion combustion
  5. 3.5NOx and soot formation
  6. 3.6Influence of the fuel on combustion
  7. 3.7CFD simulation of injection
  8. 3.8Chemical kinetic models
  9. 3.9Single-cylinder engine testing
  10. 3.10Lab: simulation of a diesel spray
  1. 4.1Cetane improvers
  2. 4.2Lubricity additives
  3. 4.3Detergents and deposit control
  4. 4.4Cold-flow improvers
  5. 4.5Antioxidants and stabilisers
  6. 4.6Biocides and microbial growth
  7. 4.7Antifoams and demulsifiers
  8. 4.8Dosing and compatibility
  9. 4.9Evaluating effectiveness
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: selecting additives for cold climates
  1. 5.1Sampling according to good practice
  2. 5.2HFRR lubricity according to ISO 12156-1
  3. 5.3Rancimat stability EN 15751
  4. 5.4Water content and contamination
  5. 5.5CFPP test according to EN 116
  6. 5.6Test precision ISO 4259
  7. 5.7Analysis of metals and contaminants
  8. 5.8Gas chromatography
  9. 5.9Laboratory quality management
  10. 5.10Lab: lubricity test on a sample
  1. 6.1Influence of sulphur on catalysts
  2. 6.2Ash and DPF clogging
  3. 6.3Impact of biodiesel on SCR
  4. 6.4Metals in fuel
  5. 6.5Injector deposits
  6. 6.6Wear of high-pressure pumps
  7. 6.7Diagnosing fuel-related failures
  8. 6.8Engine manufacturer warranties
  9. 6.9Root cause analysis
  10. 6.10Case study: injector failure in a fleet
  1. 7.1Storage and tanks
  2. 7.2Filtration and water separation
  3. 7.3ISO 4406 cleanliness in fuel
  4. 7.4Quality control on receipt
  5. 7.5Inventory and consumption management
  6. 7.6Fuel theft and fraud
  7. 7.7Reducing CO2 emissions
  8. 7.8Fleet carbon footprint
  9. 7.9Efficiency indicators
  10. 7.10Workshop: fuel quality plan for a depot
  1. 8.1Definition of the case and the fleet
  2. 8.2Characterisation of the current fuel
  3. 8.3Analysis of renewable alternatives
  4. 8.4Laboratory test plan
  5. 8.5Assessment of engine impact
  6. 8.6Additive treatment proposal
  7. 8.7Economic and environmental analysis
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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, so it is compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CONVERGE CFD, GT-SUITE, Ansys Chemkin-Pro and AVL FIRE M, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real procedures for diesel lubricity and stability testing, HVO evaluation in heavy machinery fleets and root cause analysis of injection failures. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.

Standards covered: EN 590, EN 15940, EN 14214, Directive 98/70/EC, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II), ISO 12156-1, EN 116, EN 15751.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of EN 590, EN 15940 and EN 14214 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:CONVERGE CFD, GT-SUITE, Ansys Chemkin-Pro, AVL FIRE M, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A fuel engineering study for a heavy-duty fleet, from characterisation of the current fuel to renewable alternatives, additive treatment and economic analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Fuel characterisation
Interpret a certificate of analysis against EN 590.
Renewable transition
Plan the transition of a fleet to HVO.
Spray simulation
Simulate a diesel spray and its combustion.
Testing and diagnosis
Run a lubricity test and analyse an injector failure in a fleet.
Final project
A complete fuel engineering proposal for a fleet with test plan, additives and economic and environmental analysis.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fuel engineerPetrochemical laboratory technicianDiesel engine engineerFleet energy managerAdditive specialistTransport decarbonisation consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with CONVERGE CFD, GT-SUITE, Ansys Chemkin-Pro, AVL FIRE M, 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 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.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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.

Diploma in Fuel Engineering for Heavy-Duty DieselEnrol
Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.