Master’s in Safety, Type-Approval & Compliance Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in safety, type-approval and compliance engineering, with 12 modules covering the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, agricultural vehicle type-approval (Regulation (EU) 167/2013), emissions (Regulation (EU) 2016/1628) and noise, functional safety, harmonised standards, international markets, cybersecurity, compliance management, post-market surveillance and quality, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Safety, Type-Approval & Compliance Engineering — studying from New Zealand
Off-road and special vehicle engineering is a major strength in New Zealand, reflecting the importance of agriculture, forestry, mining and construction. Manufacturers and fabricators in the Waikato and Canterbury produce tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment and specialised machinery, many of which are exported worldwide. Engineers in this field work on design, testing and safety compliance for equipment used on farms, in plantations and on remote worksites.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$15,700 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies relate to off-road and specialist vehicle engineering?
Engineering New Zealand is the main professional body, and vehicle compliance is handled by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Heavy machinery and certain specialist vehicles can also fall under WorkSafe New Zealand rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers and regulators decide their value.
Who hires off-road and special vehicle engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include forestry and agricultural equipment firms, mining and civil construction contractors, fabrication shops, and emergency or utility vehicle fleets. Practical design, safety and maintenance skills are central to hiring. A SEIUM qualification may help, but its weight depends on the employer.
How does the study load work for someone with a job here?
The programme is fully online, so you can study around work from anywhere in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer.
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 the regulatory framework applicable to each product.
Apply the European Machinery Regulation.
Manage the type-approval of agricultural vehicles.
Meet emissions, noise and EMC requirements.
Apply functional safety to conformity.
Adapt products to international markets.
Implement a compliance management system.
Who it's for
- Type-approval engineers working on agricultural, construction or special vehicles.
- Regulatory compliance managers overseeing product conformity.
- Product safety engineers preparing risk assessments and technical files.
- Conformity auditors working for manufacturers or notified bodies.
- Functional safety engineers supporting certification.
- CE marking consultants advising machinery manufacturers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the construction machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (machinery)
- Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (agricultural and forestry vehicles)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 (emissions from non-road mobile machinery)
- Directive 2000/14/EC (noise emissions)
- UNE-EN ISO 12100 (risk assessment and risk reduction)
- UNE-EN ISO 13849-1 (safety of control systems)
- ISO 37301 (compliance management systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 (Cyber Resilience Act)
- SISTEMA (IFA)
- Siemens Polarion
- Microsoft Power BI
- Jama Connect
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Product safety and liability1.2European New Legislative Approach1.3Machinery Regulation 2023/12301.4Type-approval of agricultural vehicles1.5Type-approval of road vehicles1.6Emissions from mobile machinery1.7Harmonised standards and presumption of conformity1.8Market surveillance1.9Penalties and recalls1.10Case study: regulatory map for a telehandler
2.1Scope and definitions of the regulation2.2Essential health and safety requirements2.3High-risk machinery2.4Conformity assessment procedures2.5Role of notified bodies2.6Technical construction file2.7EU declaration of conformity2.8Digital instructions for use2.9Transition from Directive 2006/42/EC2.10Lab: technical file for a machine
3.1Regulation (EU) 167/20133.2Agricultural vehicle categories3.3Delegated acts on safety3.4Braking requirements3.5Functional safety requirements3.6Construction requirements3.7Testing and technical services3.8Certificate of conformity3.9National and small-series type-approvals3.10Case study: type-approval of an agricultural trailer
4.1Regulation (EU) 2016/16284.2Stage V and engine categories4.3Engine certification4.4Obligations of the equipment manufacturer4.5Noise Directive 2000/14/EC4.6Sound power measurement4.7Sound level marking4.8Noise at the operator's position4.9Electromagnetic compatibility requirements4.10Practical: noise declaration for a machine
5.1Functional safety to ISO 138495.2Functional safety to ISO 251195.3Functional safety to ISO 190145.4Determining the required level5.5Architectures and categories5.6Validation and documentation5.7Safety software5.8Calculation tools5.9Functional safety audit5.10Lab: PL calculation with SISTEMA
6.1Type A, B and C standards6.2EN 474 series for earth-moving machinery6.3ISO 4254 series for agricultural machinery6.4Standards for mobile cranes6.5Standards for mobile elevating work platforms6.6Standards for rough-terrain trucks6.7Managing the evolution of standards6.8Participation in standardisation committees6.9Regulatory gap analysis6.10Practical: gap analysis against EN 474
7.1United States requirements and OSHA7.2EPA and CARB emission standards7.3Requirements in Canada and Australia7.4Certification in China7.5Requirements in India and Brazil7.6Mutual recognition schemes7.7Product adaptation by market7.8Multilingual technical documentation7.9Export management7.10Case study: adapting a loader for North America
8.1Cybersecurity in the Machinery Regulation8.2European Cyber Resilience Act8.3Artificial intelligence in machinery8.4European Artificial Intelligence Act8.5European Batteries Regulation8.6Sustainability due diligence8.7Digital product passport8.8Machine data requirements8.9Preparing for new requirements8.10Case study: impact of cyber resilience on a machine
9.1Compliance management to ISO 373019.2Continuous regulatory monitoring9.3Legal requirements matrix9.4Integration into product development9.5Change control and conformity9.6Supplier management9.7Internal compliance audits9.8Compliance indicators9.9Staff training9.10Practical: requirements matrix for a product
10.1Post-market obligations10.2Management of safety incidents10.3Recall campaigns10.4Communication with authorities10.5Substantial modifications to machines10.6Used and refurbished machines10.7Liability for defective products10.8Civil liability insurance10.9Lessons from real cases10.10Case study: managing a recall campaign
11.1ISO 9001 quality systems11.2Factory production control11.3Conformity of production11.4Technical service audits11.5Calibration and metrology11.6Component traceability11.7Document management for conformity11.8Voluntary product certifications11.9Continuous improvement of the system11.10Case study: conformity of production audit
12.1Selection of product and markets12.2Map of applicable requirements12.3Risk assessment12.4Functional safety analysis12.5Type-approval test plan12.6Preparation of the technical file12.7Compliance management system12.8Cost and timeline analysis12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SISTEMA (IFA), Siemens Polarion, Microsoft Power BI and Jama Connect, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for preparing technical files, regulatory gap analyses and agricultural vehicle type-approval. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, Regulation (EU) 167/2013, Regulation (EU) 2016/1628, Directive 2000/14/EC, UNE-EN ISO 12100, UNE-EN ISO 13849-1, ISO 37301, Regulation (EU) 2024/2847.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SISTEMA (IFA), Siemens Polarion, Microsoft Power BI and Jama Connect, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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.
Related programmes
Master’s in HMI for Extended Operation and Shift Work Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in HMI engineering for extended operation and shift work, with 12 modules covering fatigue and vigilance, operator monitoring systems, interface…
Master’s in Hydrogen Engines (H₂ ICE) and Off-Road Fuel Cells Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in hydrogen engine (H₂ ICE) and off-road fuel cell engineering. 12 modules covering hydrogen combustion, diesel engine conversion, PEM fuel…
Master’s in Autonomous Systems for Off-Highway Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in autonomous systems engineering for off-highway machinery, with 12 modules covering systems engineering and SysML, autonomous vehicle architecture, autonomy in…
More in Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery
All Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships