Diploma in Euro NCAP Strategy and Test Programme Preparation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Euro NCAP strategy and test programme preparation. 8 modules covering the Euro NCAP protocol, occupant and child protection, vulnerable road users, safety assist, test programme preparation and results management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Euro NCAP Strategy and Test Programme Preparation — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has a modest automotive industry, with most vehicle engineering centred on aftermarket parts, commercial vehicle body building, and the import and distribution of vehicles. Motorsport is a significant sector, with Hamilton and the Waikato region hosting a dense cluster of racing teams and engineering firms, and the Motorsport New Zealand body governing the national championships. Automotive engineers commonly work for importers, dealer networks, fleet operators and specialist fabrication businesses, and the sector also serves the country's large agricultural vehicle market.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,770 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is automotive engineering a regulated title in New Zealand, and which bodies matter here?
The title Chartered Professional Engineer is regulated and administered by Engineering New Zealand, which sets competence standards for registration. Vehicle standards and certification in New Zealand are overseen by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by a national body, so recognition by employers or Engineering New Zealand is not something SEIUM can promise.
What kinds of automotive and motorsport employers hire engineers in New Zealand?
New Zealand's automotive sector includes vehicle importers, workshops and fleet operators, motorsport teams and specialist fabrication and engineering firms, along with companies supplying parts and servicing. Roles often reward hands-on experience and clear technical reporting. A private qualification can support an application, but whether an employer values it is their decision and cannot be assumed.
How much time does a programme need, and can an employer help fund it?
Specialist courses take about 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, all online in English with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Choose a pace you can sustain alongside work, and check with your employer early about any funding or study leave arrangements.
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
Interpret the structure and protocols of Euro NCAP.
Optimise adult occupant protection.
Ensure child protection and child seat compatibility.
Improve the protection of vulnerable road users.
Validate safety assist systems.
Prepare rating-oriented test programmes.
Manage results and their communication.
Who it's for
- Passive safety engineers.
- ADAS systems engineers.
- Euro NCAP rating managers.
- Crash simulation engineers.
- Test coordinators.
- Pedestrian protection engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into vehicle manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- Euro NCAP assessment protocols (European new car assessment)
- Euro NCAP Vision 2030 (programme roadmap)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (General Safety Regulation)
- UN Regulation No. 137 (full-width frontal impact)
- UN Regulation No. 135 (pole side impact)
- UN Regulation No. 127 (pedestrian protection)
- UN Regulation No. 152 (advanced emergency braking)
- LS-DYNA
- ESI PAM-CRASH
- IPG CarMaker
- DIAdem
8 modules
1.1History and governance of Euro NCAP1.2Structure of the four assessment areas1.3Vision 2030 roadmap1.4Star rating system1.5Protocol update cycles1.6Relationship with type approval1.7Selection of tested vehicles1.8Validity of ratings1.9Impact on the European market1.10Case study: analysis of a recent vehicle's report
2.1MPDB frontal test2.2Full-width frontal test2.3Side and pole impact2.4Whiplash test2.5Rescue and extrication assessment2.6THOR and WorldSID dummies2.7Far-side interaction2.8Penalty criteria2.9Restraint optimisation2.10Practical exercise: estimating the adult occupant score
3.1Dynamic tests with Q dummies3.2Installation of restraint systems3.3List of assessed systems3.4Child presence detection3.5Deactivatable passenger airbag3.6Installation assessment3.7Anchorage ergonomics3.8Labelling requirements3.9Common design improvements3.10Workshop: checking child seat compatibility
4.1Head impact on the bonnet4.2Upper and lower leg impact4.3Active bonnet and external airbags4.4Pedestrian and cyclist AEB4.5Automatic braking for motorcyclists4.6Door-opening tests4.7Vehicle front-end design4.8Pedestrian impact simulation4.9Score maps4.10Lab: pedestrian head impact simulation
5.1Car-to-car AEB5.2Lane keeping and ELK5.3Speed assistance5.4Driver monitoring5.5Track test scenarios5.6Soft targets and platforms5.7Assisted driving assessment5.8Robustness tests5.9Driver–system interaction5.10Case study: lane keeping test plan
6.1Target score strategy6.2Development test matrix6.3In-house tests versus external laboratory6.4Prototypes and series parts6.5Manufacturer data dossier6.6Manufacturer self-verified tests6.7Accepted virtual simulation6.8Schedule management6.9Programme budget6.10Workshop: test programme for five stars
7.1Review of test data7.2Technical discussion with Euro NCAP7.3Handling unexpected failures7.4Product updates7.5Communicating results7.6Commercial use of the rating7.7Relations with fleets and the press7.8Recording lessons learned7.9Preparing the next model7.10Practical exercise: action plan after a three-star result
8.1Selecting the vehicle8.2Rating target8.3Gap analysis8.4Test plan8.5Simulation plan8.6Safety assist strategy8.7Risk management8.8Conclusions and lines of improvement8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LS-DYNA, ESI PAM-CRASH, IPG CarMaker and DIAdem, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: an MPDB frontal impact test, a cyclist AEB track test and a pedestrian head impact simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: Euro NCAP assessment protocols, Euro NCAP Vision 2030, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, UN Regulation No. 137, UN Regulation No. 135, UN Regulation No. 127, UN Regulation No. 152.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with LS-DYNA, ESI PAM-CRASH, IPG CarMaker and DIAdem, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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