Postgraduate Diploma in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series. 8 modules with ISO 3779 (vehicle identification number, VIN), ISO 3780 (world manufacturer identifier, WMI) and ImageJ. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series — studying from India
India has a strong heritage of classic vehicles, motorcycles and machinery, with active enthusiast communities and specialist workshops in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Chennai. Interest in vintage cars and motorcycles, including classic Ambassador and Royal Enfield models, has grown steadily. Restoration work combines historical research, metalwork, mechanical rebuilding and conservation techniques. While formal regulation is limited, vehicle registration and roadworthiness fall under state transport authorities, and the Automotive Research Association of India provides technical expertise. Engineers and craftspeople in this area focus on restoration, documentation and technical authenticity.
Fees for India: ₹116,000 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in India
Typical roles
Questions from India
Is there a recognised body in India for classic vehicle restoration?
There is no statutory title for classic restoration in India. Vehicle standards and registration involve bodies such as the Automotive Research Association of India, and enthusiast clubs operate informally. SEIUM's qualification is a private one and is not accredited by any national body, so its value depends on how employers and clients see it.
Which employers or clients in India use classic restoration skills?
Specialist restoration workshops, collectors, classic car dealers, and heritage motoring firms are typical employers and clients. Work is often based on reputation and a portfolio of completed restorations. A private qualification may support your background, but clients and employers will judge your actual craftsmanship.
Can I study this part-time from India, and is it in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need a working level of English. You can study from home anywhere in India without a student visa, and an assigned technical tutor supports you. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible if your workplace will fund it.
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 vehicle identification systems throughout history.
Analyse the stamping and marking techniques used by manufacturers.
Recognise the typefaces of manufacturers' punches from each period.
Cross-check series and numbering against production records.
Detect tampering using optical and chemical techniques.
Write expert reports with rigorous photographic documentation.
Apply registration and licensing regulations in cases of doubtful identification.
Who it's for
- Vehicle identification expert who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- Classic vehicle authenticity expert who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- ITV inspector who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- Document fraud investigator who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- Historic vehicle appraiser who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- Trademark registration adviser who wants to specialise in Verification of Stampings, Typefaces and Series.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter judicial expert work.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3779 (vehicle identification number, VIN)
- ISO 3780 (world manufacturer identifier, WMI)
- ISO 4030 (VIN location and fixing)
- Regulation (EU) 19/2011 (manufacturer's plate and VIN)
- Royal Decree 2822/1998 (General Regulation on Vehicles)
- Turin Charter (FIVA)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Chassis number: history and formats1.2ISO 3779 standard for the VIN1.3Manufacturer plates and labels1.4Engine and gearbox numbers1.5Manufacturers' production records1.6Colour and upholstery codes1.7Variations by plant and year1.8Identification of pre-VIN vehicles1.9Club and register databases1.10Case study: decoding a sixties chassis number
2.1Punch stamping processes2.2Micro-percussion and laser marking2.3Typefaces of factory punches2.4Alignment, depth and spacing2.5Sequence and order of marking2.6Inspection and control marks2.7Plate rivets: types and patterns2.8Paints and protective coatings over markings2.9Corrosion damage and repair2.10Laboratory: macrophotographic analysis of stampings
3.1Punch catalogues by manufacturer3.2Character comparison by morphology3.3Digital overlay of typefaces3.4Detection of anomalous characters3.5Typefaces from external suppliers3.6Typeface changes during production3.7Building reference libraries3.8Optical measurement tools3.9Documentation of findings3.10Practice: typographic comparison of two engine numbers
4.1Chassis sequences by model4.2Component serial numbers4.3Casting dates and foundry marks4.4Correlation between engine, gearbox and chassis4.5Consistency with factory certificates4.6Special series and prototypes4.7Competition vehicles and their numbering4.8Factory replacement engines4.9Statistical analysis of series4.10Workshop: reconstruction of a model's series
5.1Re-stamping and typical signs5.2Fillings with weld and filler5.3Chemical development of erased numbers5.4Metallographic analysis of the area5.5Replaced plates and non-original rivets5.6Restoration versus forgery5.7Vehicle cloning5.8Cooperation with authorities5.9Ethical limits of the expert5.10Case study: analysis of a suspicious plate
6.1Methodology of authenticity expert work6.2Forensic photography and scales6.3Chain of custody of evidence6.4Expert report: structure6.5Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil and expert evidence6.6Degrees of certainty in conclusions6.7Communication with clients and lawyers6.8Ethics and independence6.9Expert liability insurance6.10Practice: verification expert report
7.1Registration of historic vehicles7.2Correction of data at the DGT7.3Import and type approval7.4FIVA and historic vehicle passport7.5Marque and club certificates7.6Criminal law on alteration of identification7.7Data protection in registers7.8Market and authenticity7.9Relevant court cases7.10Case study: correction of a chassis number
8.1Vehicle selection8.2Document gathering8.3Inspection of stampings8.4Typographic analysis8.5Series correlation8.6Assessment of tampering8.7Conclusions and degree of certainty8.8Expert report8.9Written report 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 standard and applied exercises. The working software is ImageJ, Adobe Photoshop, Agisoft Metashape, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real inspection procedures with magnifier and raking light, chemical development of numbering, and photogrammetry of markings. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe vehicle identification systems throughout history.
Analyse the stamping and marking techniques used by manufacturers.
Recognise the typefaces of manufacturers' punches from each period.
Cross-check series and numbering against production records.
Detect tampering using optical and chemical techniques.
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 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 ImageJ, Adobe Photoshop, Agisoft Metashape and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative final project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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