Diploma in MIG/TIG/Oxy-Fuel Structural Welding
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in MIG/TIG/oxy-fuel structural welding, structured in 8 modules covering welding metallurgy, MIG/MAG, TIG and oxy-acetylene processes, structural joint design, welder and procedure qualification, and inspection and testing of joints, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in MIG/TIG/Oxy-Fuel Structural Welding — studying from New Zealand
Vehicle restoration and classic engine work in New Zealand is supported by an active enthusiast community and a well-established network of specialist workshops, particularly around the main centres. Historic vehicle registration and compliance fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand promotes preservation of historic vehicles. Restoration professionals often combine fabrication, engineering and heritage conservation skills.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$3,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is restoration engineering recognised by a professional body in New Zealand?
There is no specific statutory register for classic vehicle or heritage restoration engineers in New Zealand. Heritage matters can involve Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and vehicle roadworthiness is governed by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their value depends on the employer or client.
Where do classic restoration specialists work in New Zealand?
Work is found in independent restoration workshops, classic car dealers, museums, and specialist fabrication businesses, many clustered around the main centres. Clients and employers usually judge by workmanship and a portfolio of completed restorations. A private qualification may complement that evidence but is rarely a deciding factor on its own.
Can I study this while running or working in a workshop here?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. An assigned technical tutor supports you, and fees can be paid in instalments.
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
Understand welding metallurgy and its associated defects.
Produce joints using the MIG/MAG, TIG and oxy-acetylene processes.
Select parameters and consumables according to material and thickness.
Design structural joints and draft WPS specifications.
Prepare welder and procedure qualifications according to ISO.
Inspect joints using visual and non-destructive testing.
Apply safety measures across all welding processes.
Who it's for
- Qualified welders aiming to master structural work across MIG, TIG and oxy-fuel.
- Welding coordinators responsible for procedures and quality.
- Welding inspectors who assess joints against ISO quality levels.
- Quality technicians in metal fabrication.
- Structural boilermakers and steel fabricators.
- Restoration panel beaters working on classic vehicle structures.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter metal fabrication.
What you'll work with
- EN ISO 9606-1 (qualification testing of welders)
- EN ISO 15614-1 (welding procedure qualification)
- EN ISO 3834 (quality requirements for welding)
- EN ISO 5817 (quality levels for imperfections)
- EN ISO 2553 (symbolic representation of welds)
- EN 1090-2 (execution of steel structures)
- EN ISO 17637 (visual testing of welded joints)
- SolidWorks Weldments
- Autodesk Inventor
- WeldEye
- Simufact Welding
- ESAB WeldCloud
8 modules
1.1Carbon, alloy and stainless steels1.2The heat-affected zone and its transformations1.3Carbon equivalent and weldability1.4Preheating and interpass temperature1.5Diffusible hydrogen and cold cracking1.6Hot cracking and segregation1.7Residual stresses and distortion1.8Post-weld heat treatments1.9Weldability of aluminium and its alloys1.10Lab: macrography of a welded joint
2.1Fundamentals of gas-shielded arc welding2.2Transfer modes: short-circuit, globular and spray2.3Pulsed and synergic arc2.4Shielding gases and mixtures2.5Solid and flux-cored wires2.6Parameters: voltage, wire feed speed and stick-out2.7Typical defects and their causes2.8Welding positions and torch technique2.9Productivity and automation2.10Practical: fillet welds in the PF position
3.1Tungsten electrodes and their preparation3.2Direct and alternating current in TIG3.3Argon gas and back purging3.4Manual filler addition and weld pool technique3.5Welding stainless steels3.6AC welding of aluminium3.7Pulsed TIG on thin sections3.8Defects: tungsten inclusions and porosity3.9Tube joints for structures3.10Practical: TIG welding of a tube in a fixed position
4.1Gases, cylinders, pressure regulators and flashback arrestors4.2Flame types and their adjustment4.3Leftward and rightward welding4.4Filler rods and fluxes4.5Brazing and soldering4.6Oxy-fuel cutting and localised heating4.7Applications in structures and classic bodywork4.8Safety with acetylene and oxygen4.9Maintenance of oxy-fuel equipment4.10Workshop: oxy-acetylene joining of sheet and tube
5.1Joint types and edge preparation5.2Welding symbols according to ISO 25535.3Calculation of fillet and butt welds5.4Fatigue in welded joints5.5Welding sequences to control distortion5.6Jigs and positioners5.7Tubular structures and chassis5.8Repair of vehicle structures5.9Welding procedure specifications (WPS)5.10Case study: WPS for a tubular frame
6.1Welder qualification according to ISO 9606-16.2Procedure qualification according to ISO 15614-16.3PQR and WPQR records6.4Essential variables and range of qualification6.5Test pieces, tests and acceptance criteria6.6Quality requirements according to ISO 38346.7Welding coordination according to ISO 147316.8Maintaining qualification6.9Welding workshop audits6.10Practical: plate qualification test piece
7.1Visual inspection according to ISO 176377.2Liquid penetrant and magnetic particle testing7.3Ultrasonic testing and industrial radiography7.4Quality levels according to ISO 58177.5Bend and tensile tests7.6Hardness testing in the HAZ7.7Macrography and micrography7.8Inspection documentation7.9Defect repair7.10Lab: bend test and liquid penetrant testing
8.1Definition of the structure to be fabricated8.2Selection of materials and processes8.3Drafting the WPSs8.4Fabrication plan and welding sequence8.5Inspection and test plan8.6Project risk prevention8.7Budget for consumables and hours8.8Execution and dimensional control8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks Weldments, Autodesk Inventor, WeldEye, Simufact Welding and ESAB WeldCloud, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: qualification test pieces in plate and tube, bend and liquid penetrant tests, and the fabrication of tubular frames. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EN ISO 9606-1, EN ISO 15614-1, EN ISO 3834, EN ISO 5817, EN ISO 2553, EN 1090-2, EN ISO 17637.
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. No university degree is required.
- An 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 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 SolidWorks Weldments, Autodesk Inventor, WeldEye, Simufact Welding and ESAB WeldCloud, 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 is required.
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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