Diploma in Timber Selection, Drying and Stabilisation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in timber selection, drying and stabilisation for classic vehicle bodywork, structured in 8 modules covering wood anatomy, timber selection, moisture in wood, drying, stabilisation and treatments, laminating and bending, and conservation of timber in vehicles, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Timber Selection, Drying and Stabilisation — 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
Identify timber species and their properties for bodywork.
Select timber using quality and traceability criteria.
Measure and control the moisture content of timber.
Apply drying schedules without defects.
Stabilise and treat timber to improve its durability.
Manufacture curved parts by laminating and bending.
Diagnose and conserve timber elements in vehicles.
Who it's for
- Coachbuilding cabinetmakers working on timber-framed bodies.
- Wood technology technicians.
- Classic vehicle restorers.
- Drying kiln managers.
- Quality technicians in joinery.
- Carpenters specialising in composite wood-and-metal bodies.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- EN 13183-1 (moisture content by the oven-dry method)
- EN 13183-2 (moisture content estimated by electrical resistance)
- EN 350 (durability of wood)
- EN 14081-1 (strength grading of structural timber)
- Regulation (EU) 995/2010 (EU Timber Regulation)
- EN 335 (use classes)
- FIVA Turin Charter (conservation of historic vehicles)
- Woodworks Design
- SketchUp
- Fusion 360
- WoodCalc
- Excel (moisture tracking)
8 modules
1.1Cellular structure of hardwoods and softwoods1.2Sapwood, heartwood and growth rings1.3Density and mechanical properties1.4Anisotropy and cutting directions1.5Natural defects: knots, checks and interlocked grain1.6Natural durability against fungi and insects1.7Macroscopic species identification1.8Traditional coachbuilding timbers: ash, oak and beech1.9Interior timbers: walnut, mahogany and burr1.10Lab: species identification with a hand lens
2.1Visual grading by quality2.2Structural grading standards2.3Choosing boards for curved parts2.4Grain orientation according to function2.5Suppliers and FSC and PEFC certification2.6EU Timber Regulation2.7Calculating yield and waste2.8Storage in the workshop2.9Batch traceability2.10Practical: selecting ash for a body frame
3.1Equilibrium moisture content3.2Fibre saturation point3.3Tangential, radial and longitudinal shrinkage3.4Measuring moisture with a moisture meter3.5Measurement by the oven-dry method3.6Variations according to climate and vehicle use3.7Effect of moisture on joints3.8Hygroscopicity of veneers and plywood3.9Calculating dimensional changes3.10Lab: moisture measurement by double weighing
4.1Natural air drying and stacking4.2Conventional drying kilns4.3Heat-pump and vacuum drying4.4Drying schedules by species4.5Drying defects: checks, warping and collapse4.6Conditioning and stress relief4.7Drying quality control4.8Drying costs and times4.9Drying parts salvaged from vehicles4.10Practical: monitoring a drying schedule
5.1Thermal stabilisation and thermally modified timber5.2Impregnation with resins and consolidants5.3Oil and wax treatments5.4Protection against fungi and insects5.5Consolidation of degraded timber5.6Conservation-compatible products5.7Safety in the use of chemical products5.8Treatments for structural bodywork parts5.9Assessing treatment effectiveness5.10Workshop: consolidating a deteriorated frame member
6.1Steam bending and formers6.2Glued layer lamination6.3Structural wood adhesives6.4Controlling springback6.5Manufacturing curved bodywork parts6.6Plywood and engineered panels6.7Traditional joints: mortise and tenon6.8Metal fittings and fixings6.9Dimensional control of bent parts6.10Practical: laminating a roof bow
7.1Diagnosing timber body frames7.2Partial replacement versus reconstruction7.3Documenting original parts7.4Preventing moisture in composite bodies7.5Ventilation and drainage7.6Galvanic corrosion at wood–metal joints7.7Periodic maintenance of timber parts7.8FIVA conservation criteria7.9Storing vehicles with timber components7.10Case study: diagnosing a shooting brake
8.1Selecting the part or assembly8.2Selecting species and grade8.3Drying and conditioning plan8.4Stabilisation plan8.5Manufacturing process8.6Quality control8.7Documenting the intervention8.8Budget for materials and workshop hours8.9Report 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 Woodworks Design, SketchUp, Fusion 360, WoodCalc and an Excel moisture-tracking workbook, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: moisture measurement by double weighing and moisture meter, kiln drying schedules, and laminating curved bodywork parts. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EN 13183-1, EN 13183-2, EN 350, EN 14081-1, Regulation (EU) 995/2010, EN 335, FIVA Turin Charter.
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 Woodworks Design, SketchUp, Fusion 360, WoodCalc and Excel, 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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