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 Malta
Malta's rich heritage, including historic buildings, vintage vehicles and maritime craft, creates a niche for restoration and conservation work. Owners of classic cars, motorcycles and boats seek specialist workshops with knowledge of period engineering and materials. Restoration of historic architecture also requires engineers and technicians familiar with traditional construction methods and conservation rules. Opportunities tend to be found with specialist workshops, heritage organisations and private restorers.
Fees for Malta: €1,090 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is there a recognised professional body in Malta for restoration and classic vehicle engineering?
Malta does not have a single state-regulated profession for classic vehicle restoration. Vehicle registration and roadworthiness are handled by Transport Malta. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is determined by employers, clients or the relevant body, so check these before enrolling.
What work could restoration engineers find in Malta?
Malta has a niche market for classic vehicle restoration, mainly through independent workshops, specialist garages and private collectors. Work is often built on reputation and practical craftsmanship. Whether a private online qualification adds value is for individual clients and employers to judge, so it is best to consider it alongside your hands-on experience.
Can I study this part-time with a workshop job, and is funding possible?
Yes. The programmes are fully online, taught in English and suitable for study from home, without needing a student visa. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, 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 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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