Master’s in Auctions, Brokerage and Sales Management
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Auctions, Brokerage and Sales Management for classic vehicles. 12 modules covering the classic car market, professional valuation, due diligence, auction house operations, brokerage, the legal and tax framework, anti-money laundering, international logistics, marketing, sales management and collection management, applying Directive (EU) 2015/849 and the FIVA Technical Code, 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
Analyse the international classic vehicle market and its cycles.
Value vehicles using professional, well-justified methodologies.
Carry out due diligence and authenticity verification.
Manage the full operations of an auction house.
Conduct brokerage and private sales with transparency.
Apply the legal, tax and anti-money laundering framework.
Design sales and marketing strategies for the sector.
Who it's for
- Classic vehicle brokers.
- Auction house specialists.
- Historic vehicle valuers.
- Classic car sales managers.
- Collection managers at family offices and private collections.
- AML compliance officers in high-value asset trading.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter auction houses.
What you'll work with
- Directive (EU) 2015/849 (prevention of money laundering)
- Council Directive 2006/112/EC (common system of VAT, including the margin scheme for second-hand goods)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) (protection of personal data)
- FIVA Technical Code (identification and classification of historic vehicles)
- Salesforce
- HubSpot CRM
- Hagerty Valuation Tools
- Classic Car Database
- Microsoft Power BI
12 modules
1.1Market segments and buyer profiles1.2Price cycles and historical bubbles1.3Auction market versus private sale1.4Brokers, dealers and auction houses1.5International markets and regional differences1.6Benchmark indices and results databases1.7Influence of concours d'elegance1.8New generations of collectors1.9Digital sales platforms1.10Case study: mapping the players in a national market
2.1Comparative valuation methodologies2.2International condition scales2.3Adjustments for originality and matching numbers2.4Influence of history and provenance2.5Valuing competition vehicles2.6Valuation for insurance and inheritance2.7The valuer's liability2.8Standardised valuation reports2.9Reviewing third-party valuations2.10Practical exercise: full valuation of a British roadster
3.1Pre-purchase technical inspection3.2Verifying chassis, engine and gearbox3.3Factory archives and certificates of origin3.4Detecting forgeries and duplicate identities3.5Registration history and encumbrances3.6Checking imports and customs records3.7External experts and laboratories3.8Managing documentary discrepancies3.9Due diligence report for the client3.10Workshop: due diligence on an Italian sports car
4.1Sourcing lots and consignors4.2Consignment contracts and reserves4.3Guarantees, advances and no-reserve sales4.4Catalogue production and photography4.5Preview and bidder support4.6Conducting the sale and remote bidding4.7Settlement, payment and delivery4.8Post-sale and unsold lots4.9Auction success indicators4.10Case study: financial analysis of an auction
5.1The broker's business model5.2Sourcing clients and vehicles5.3Agency and exclusivity agreements5.4Commissions and fee structures5.5Confidentiality in private sales5.6Negotiating with international buyers5.7Managing escrow and deposits5.8Conflicts of interest and transparency5.9Collector retention5.10Practical exercise: simulated private negotiation
6.1Sale contract for a used vehicle6.2Latent defects and statutory warranties6.3General conditions of auction6.4Consumer protection in distance selling6.5Transfer of ownership and the registration authority6.6Historic registration and type approval6.7Litigation over inaccurate descriptions6.8Arbitration and mediation in the sector6.9Intellectual property in marques and logos6.10Case study: litigation over a chassis discrepancy
7.1VAT on used vehicles: standard scheme and margin scheme7.2Imports from third countries and tariffs7.3Registration tax on historic vehicles7.4Taxation of collectors' capital gains7.5AML due diligence obligations7.6Identifying the beneficial owner7.7Cash payments and legal limits7.8Reporting suspicious transactions7.9Recording and retaining documentation7.10Workshop: AML file for a high-value sale
8.1Enclosed and container transport8.2Transit and storage insurance8.3Customs documentation and ATA carnet8.4Temporary export for concours events8.5Climate-controlled storage and humidity control8.6Receipt and delivery inspections8.7Coordination with freight forwarders8.8Transport incidents and claims8.9Logistics costs in the commercial offer8.10Practical exercise: plan for exporting a vehicle to the United States
9.1Brand positioning of the house or broker9.2Storytelling about the vehicle and its history9.3High-end photography and video9.4Digital marketing and social media9.5Events, concours and trade fair presence9.6Public relations with specialist media9.7Collector CRM and segmentation9.8Campaign and conversion metrics9.9Online reputation and review management9.10Case study: launch campaign for a collection
10.1Organising the sales department10.2Targets, forecasts and pipeline10.3Consultative selling techniques10.4Key account portfolio management10.5Variable pay and commissions10.6Sales performance indicators10.7Training product specialists10.8CRM tools and automation10.9Sales ethics and compliance10.10Workshop: designing a sales dashboard
11.1Collection-building strategies11.2Rotation and divestment of vehicles11.3Maintenance and storage costs11.4Collection insurance11.5Taxation of collections and inheritance11.6Market risk management11.7Independent advice to the collector11.8Foundations and private museums11.9Periodic reports to the owner11.10Case study: managing a collection of twenty vehicles
12.1Defining the business model12.2Market and competitor analysis12.3Operational plan for auction or brokerage12.4Applicable legal and tax framework12.5AML compliance plan12.6Marketing and sales plan12.7Five-year financial plan12.8Risk and contingency plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training 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 each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original legislation and applied exercises. You work with Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Classic Car Database and Microsoft Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: vehicle valuations at classic car dealers, auction simulations with remote bidding and due diligence files for high-value sales. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2015/849, Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), FIVA Technical Code.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running 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.
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 Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Classic Car Database, Microsoft Power BI, 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 suitable computer 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.
Related programmes
Master’s in Responsible Restoration & Sensitive Materials Engineering — Asbestos/Lead Replacement, Regulations and Ethics
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in responsible restoration and sensitive materials engineering — asbestos and lead replacement, regulations and ethics. 12 modules covering identification and…
Master’s in Classic Electrics and Wiring Looms Engineering — Lucas/Bosch Diagrams, Loom Reproduction, Relays, Charging and Starting
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in classic vehicle electrical and wiring harness engineering, structured in 12 modules covering classic automotive electrics, Lucas and Bosch wiring…
Master’s in Historic Paint and Finishes Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in historic paint and finishes engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the history and chemistry of automotive paints, original colour…
More in Restoration & Classics
All Restoration & Classics programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships