Diploma in T1 Prototype Design and FIA Safety
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in T1 prototype design and FIA safety. 8 modules covering rally-raid technical regulations, prototype architecture, safety structures, long-travel suspension, powertrain and cooling, crew safety and validation and scrutineering, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in T1 Prototype Design and FIA Safety — 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$2,960 (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
Interpret the technical regulations for T1 prototypes.
Define the architecture of a rally-raid prototype.
Design and calculate compliant safety structures.
Design long-travel suspension systems.
Integrate the powertrain with cooling suited to desert conditions.
Equip the cockpit with homologated safety systems.
Plan validation and technical scrutineering.
Who it's for
- Rally-raid prototype design engineers.
- Chassis engineers.
- Motorsport safety engineers.
- Suspension engineers.
- Team technical directors.
- Scrutineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into rally-raid competition.
What you'll work with
- FIA Appendix J, Article 285 (technical regulations for cross-country vehicles)
- FIA Appendix J, Article 283 (general safety equipment)
- FIA Standard 8862-2009 (advanced racing seats)
- FIA Standard 8853-2016 (safety harnesses)
- FIA Standard 8865-2015 (extinguishing systems)
- FIA FT3-1999 (safety fuel tanks)
- FIA Standard 8858-2010 (frontal head restraint system)
- FIA Standard 8856-2018 (protective clothing)
- SolidWorks
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Adams Car
- MoTeC i2 Pro
8 modules
1.1FIA cross-country vehicle groups1.2T1 prototypes and their subcategories1.3Mandatory safety equipment1.4Minimum weights and ballast1.5Air restrictors1.6Dimensions and overhangs1.7Homologation of the structure1.8Vehicle technical passport1.9Balance of performance1.10Case study: analysis of the technical form of a T1
2.1Steel tubular chassis2.2Mass distribution2.3Mid or front engine2.4Two- or four-wheel drive2.5Wheel diameter and suspension travel2.6Fuel tanks and range2.7Driver and co-driver ergonomics2.8Location of spare wheels2.9Accessibility for servicing2.10Workshop: preliminary design of a T1 prototype
3.1Geometric requirements of the roll cage3.2Chromium-molybdenum steels3.3Welded joints and reinforcements3.4Finite element calculation3.5Static load tests3.6Certification of the structure3.7Side protection3.8Seat and harness anchorages3.9Quality control of welds3.10Lab: finite element analysis of a roll cage
4.1Double wishbone in off-road vehicles4.2Extreme wheel travel4.3Twin dampers per wheel4.4Bypass dampers4.5Damper cooling4.6Kinematics and anti-dive4.7Hydraulic bump stops4.8Fatigue of arms and ball joints4.9Set-up for dunes and rocks4.10Practical exercise: kinematics of a long-travel suspension
5.1Naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines5.2Effect of restrictors on power5.3Sequential gearboxes5.4Differentials and transmissions5.5Cooling in desert conditions5.6Air filtration in sand5.7Underbody protection5.8Synthetic and renewable fuels5.9Reliability over long stages5.10Case study: engine cooling on a dune stage
6.1Homologated seats6.2Safety harnesses6.3Frontal head restraints6.4Window nets6.5Integrated extinguishing systems6.6Circuit breakers6.7Safety fuel tanks6.8Beacons and tracking systems6.9Survival equipment6.10Practical exercise: fitting out a compliant cockpit
7.1Component bench tests7.2Field tests7.3Data logging and analysis7.4Pre-event technical scrutineering7.5Weighing and ballast7.6Restrictor checks7.7Safety checks7.8Common issues at scrutineering7.9Improvements after testing7.10Workshop: technical scrutineering plan
8.1Project requirements8.2General architecture8.3Design of the safety structure8.4Suspension design8.5Powertrain and cooling8.6Crew safety8.7Validation plan8.8Technical dossier8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on SEIUM's campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There is no fixed timetable: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, Adams Car and MoTeC i2 Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: calculation and testing of a safety structure, suspension tests on dune terrain and simulated technical scrutineering. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: FIA Appendix J, Article 285, FIA Appendix J, Article 283, FIA Standard 8862-2009, FIA Standard 8853-2016, FIA Standard 8865-2015, FIA FT3-1999, FIA Standard 8858-2010, FIA Standard 8856-2018.
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, ANSYS Mechanical, Adams Car and MoTeC i2 Pro, 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 programme 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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