Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors. 8 modules covering UNECE Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting devices), UNECE Regulation No. 112 (passing and driving beam headlamps) and DIALux. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors — studying from Ireland
Ireland has an active heritage vehicle and classic machinery community, supported by clubs, restoration workshops and specialist suppliers serving classic cars, motorcycles and agricultural equipment. Engineering skills in this area combine historical knowledge with modern techniques in fabrication, materials and diagnostics. Restoration work is often linked to heritage conservation and museum collections, and classic vehicles operate under national roadworthiness and vehicle registration rules. Professional bodies and enthusiast organisations help maintain standards and knowledge across the sector.
Fees for Ireland: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is there a recognised professional body in Ireland for classic vehicle restoration?
Classic vehicle restoration in Ireland is largely a craft and hobby sector, supported by enthusiast clubs and heritage bodies rather than a regulated professional title. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership or formal recognition. Check the requirements of any club or body you wish to join.
Would Irish restoration businesses or employers value this qualification?
Restoration businesses in Ireland often rely on hands-on skill, reputation and portfolio work. A private online qualification may add to your CV, but employers decide for themselves whether it is relevant. Your final project can help show your capability, though there is no guarantee of any outcome.
Can I study this part-time while keeping my current commitments?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home around existing commitments. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your schedule accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and each student has 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
Describe the historical evolution of automotive lighting.
Apply optics and photometry concepts to headlamps and tail lights.
Restore reflectors through cleaning and metallising.
Recover glass, lamp covers and housings while respecting their original design.
Select lamps and adapt the electrical installation safely.
Verify regulatory compliance and align headlamps correctly.
Prepare a restoration project for the lighting system.
Who it's for
- Restorer of classic lighting systems who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Automotive electrical technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Photometry technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Reflector metallising technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Historic vehicle inspector who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Reproduction parts technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences who want to enter the restoration of classic vehicles.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting devices)
- UNECE Regulation No. 112 (passing and driving beam headlamps)
- UNECE Regulation No. 37 (incandescent lamps)
- UNECE Regulation No. 6 (direction indicator lamps)
- Royal Decree 892/2013 (Historic Vehicles Regulation)
- Royal Decree 920/2017 (technical vehicle inspection)
- CIE 15 (colorimetry)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Acetylene and Oil Headlamps 1.2 First Electric Lamps 1.3 American Sealed Beam Headlamps 1.4 European and Asymmetric Optics 1.5 Bilux and Halogen Lamps 1.6 Evolution of Tail Lights and Signaling 1.7 Historic Manufacturers: Lucas, Marchal, Bosch, Cibié 1.8 Identifying Optics by Period 1.9 Heritage Value of Optics 1.10 Case Study: Dating a Classic Headlamp
2.1Specular and diffuse reflection2.2Parabolic and ellipsoidal reflectors2.3Fresnel lenses and cut patterns2.4Photometric beam distribution2.5Asymmetric cut-off and glare2.6Intensity, flux and illuminance2.7Colour temperature2.8Goniophotometry2.9Influence of deterioration on performance2.10Laboratory: measuring the illuminance of a headlamp
3.1Silvering, aluminising and vacuum metallising3.2Reflector degradation3.3Cleaning without damaging the surface3.4PVD re-aluminising3.5Repairing brass reflectors3.6Gaskets and reflector sealing3.7Reflectivity tests3.8Risks of incorrect restorations3.9Specialist suppliers3.10Practice: assessing the condition of a reflector
4.1Cut glass and its optical function4.2Glass reproduction4.3Polishing scratches in glass4.4Chrome-plated steel housings4.5Rims and trim rings4.6Plastic tail lights and their ageing4.7Polishing and restoring polycarbonate4.8Rubber seals and watertightness4.9Assembly and disassembly of optics4.10Workshop: restoring a headlamp housing
5.1Period incandescent lamps5.2H4 halogen lamps and conversions5.3LED retrofit and approval5.4Lamp holders and contacts5.5Period wiring and reproduction5.6Relays for classic headlamps5.76 V and 12 V systems5.8Dynamos and power supply5.9Regulators and overvoltage5.10Practice: diagnosing a 6 V lighting circuit
6.1Lighting and signalling regulations6.2UNECE Regulations R48, R112 and R986.3Requirements for historic vehicles6.4Left-hand traffic headlamps6.5Headlamp aiming and height6.6Technical inspection of lighting6.7LED conversions and legality6.8Mandatory additional signalling6.9Type approval documentation6.10Case study: adapting the headlamps of a British classic
7.1The regloscope and its use7.2Aiming in the workshop and on a screen7.3Correcting tilt7.4Verifying tail lights and signalling7.5Measuring intensity7.6Watertightness testing7.7Night-time road tests7.8Recording results7.9Periodic maintenance7.10Workshop: aiming headlamps with a regloscope
8.1Vehicle selection8.2Inventory of optics8.3Initial diagnosis and photometry8.4Reflector restoration plan8.5Glass, housings and seals8.6Lighting electrical system8.7Regulatory verification8.8Budget8.9Report 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. There are 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 regulation and applied exercises. The working software is DIALux, LightTools, SolidWorks, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real regloscope procedures for headlamp aiming, bench photometric measurement and reflector re-metallising. Assessment is continuous 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.
Describe the historical evolution of automotive lighting.
Apply optics and photometry concepts to headlamps and tail lights.
Restore reflectors through cleaning and metallising.
Recover glass, lamp covers and housings while respecting their original design.
Select lamps and adapt the electrical installation safely.
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 level 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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with DIALux, LightTools, SolidWorks and advanced Excel. 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 final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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