Coachbuilding & Carrozzeria Engineering — construction of bodies in aluminium/steel on a chassis, wooden body bucks.
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in coachbuilding and carrozzeria engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the history of coachbuilding, design and styling, construction systems, bucks, panel fabrication, structure, mechanisms, interiors, finishes, type approval and the coachbuilding business, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Know the history and schools of coachbuilding.
Design car bodies with styling and manufacturing criteria.
Apply traditional and modern construction systems.
Build bucks and panels for one-off bodies.
Integrate structure, mechanisms and interior.
Obtain legal approval for hand-built bodies.
Manage carrozzeria projects and businesses.
Who it's for
- Coachbuilders producing bespoke and one-off bodies.
- Car body designers who want to bridge styling and hand manufacture.
- Panel beaters moving into complete coachbuilt bodies.
- Project leaders for one-off body commissions.
- Type-approval technicians handling vehicle modification files.
- Interior craftspeople working on bespoke cabins.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter coachbuilding.
What you'll work with
- Real Decreto 866/2010 (Spanish regulation on vehicle modifications)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles)
- UN Regulation No. 26 (exterior projections of passenger cars)
- UN Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)
- UN Regulation No. 43 (safety glazing materials)
- FIVA Turin Charter (guidelines for the preservation and restoration of historic vehicles)
- ISO 9606-2 (qualification testing of welders — aluminium)
- UN Regulation No. 21 (interior fittings)
- Autodesk Alias
- Rhinoceros
- Autodesk Fusion
- KeyShot
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1From the carriage to the motor car1.2British coachbuilders: Mulliner, Hooper, Park Ward1.3Italian carrozzeria: Touring, Pininfarina, Zagato, Bertone1.4French carrossiers: Figoni et Falaschi, Saoutchik1.5German and Spanish coachbuilders1.6Rolling chassis and bespoke bodywork1.7The golden age and decline1.8The revival of modern coachbuilding1.9Continuation cars1.10Case study: analysis of a Touring body
2.1Proportions and stance2.2Character lines2.3Sketches and renders2.4Full-scale drawing2.5Clay models2.6Digital design tools2.7Formal language by era2.8Design for craft manufacture2.9Working with the client2.10Workshop: sketch and drawing of a coupé
3.1Bodywork on a timber frame3.2The Superleggera tubular system3.3The Weymann fabric system3.4Aluminium bodies over steel3.5Hand-built monocoques3.6Welded tubular frames3.7Composites in modern coachbuilding3.8Advantages and limitations3.9Selecting the system3.10Practical exercise: structural analysis of a Superleggera system
4.1Lines drawings and sections4.2Surfacing in Alias or Rhino4.3Machining bucks4.4Traditional wooden bucks4.5Tubular bucks4.6Chassis reference points4.7Dimensional control of the buck4.8Modifications during construction4.9Archiving bucks4.10Laboratory: simplified Class-A surface
5.1Forming on the English wheel5.2Using the pneumatic hammer5.3Large one-piece panels5.4Invisible joints between panels5.5Aluminium and its handling5.6Panel planning5.7Fitting on the buck5.8Panel-gap control5.9Panel surface quality5.10Case study: fabricating a long bonnet
6.1Interface between body and chassis6.2Existing chassis and their adaptation6.3Designing substructures6.4Tubes and welded joints6.5Torsional stiffness of the assembly6.6Mounting points6.7Corrosion protection6.8Basic structural calculation6.9Passive safety in one-off bodies6.10Workshop: substructure of a roadster
7.1Concealed and exposed hinges7.2Period locks7.3Windows and window-winder mechanisms7.4Hoods and removable roofs7.5Weatherstrips and sealing7.6Fuel filler caps7.7Bonnet mechanisms7.8Fitting and panel gaps7.9Reproducing hardware7.10Practical exercise: designing a concealed hinge
8.1Cabin design8.2Dashboard and materials8.3Bespoke upholstery8.4Period instruments and gauges8.5Steering wheels and controls8.6Integrating modern equipment8.7Driving-position ergonomics8.8Stylistic coherence8.9Craft interior suppliers8.10Case study: interior of a bespoke grand tourer
9.1Preparing aluminium surfaces9.2Bespoke paints and colours9.3Chrome plating and details9.4Coachbuilder's badges9.5Identification plates9.6Final polishing of the body9.7Presentation at concours events9.8Product photography9.9Handover to the client9.10Workshop: finishing plan for a one-off body
10.1Major vehicle modifications in Spain10.2The vehicle modifications manual10.3Individual vehicle approval10.4Hand-built vehicles10.5Exterior projection requirements10.6Lighting and signalling10.7Continuation vehicles and legality10.8Intellectual property and trademarks10.9The coachbuilder's liability10.10Practical exercise: bodywork modification file
11.1Business models11.2Clients and commissions11.3Quotations and lead times11.4Managing one-off projects11.5Teams and trades11.6Selecting specialist suppliers11.7Marketing and brand11.8Collaborations with manufacturers11.9Sustainability of the craft11.10Case study: business plan for a carrozzeria
12.1Concept of the body12.2Research into references12.3Design and drawings12.4Chosen construction system12.5Manufacturing plan12.6Applicable legal requirements12.7Budget and planning12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master'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 the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Alias, Rhinoceros, Autodesk Fusion and KeyShot, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: fabricating bespoke bucks and panels, designing Superleggera systems and preparing individual approval files. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Real Decreto 866/2010, Regulation (EU) 2018/858, UN Regulation No. 26, UN Regulation No. 48, UN Regulation No. 43, FIVA Turin Charter, ISO 9606-2, UN Regulation No. 21.
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's 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, Autodesk Fusion and KeyShot, 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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