Postgraduate Diploma in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection. 8 modules covering ISO 20653:2023, IEC 60529 and SolidWorks. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection — studying from New Zealand
The motorcycle and two-wheeler sector in New Zealand is primarily retail, servicing, touring and recreational use, with a sizeable community of riders served by importers, dealerships and specialist workshops. Motorcycle safety and licensing fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Motorcycle Trade Association supports the sector. Engineers and technicians often work in dealership service departments, component importers or with small specialist manufacturers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$2,550 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is there a professional body in New Zealand that recognises motorcycle engineering?
There is no separate statutory register for motorcycle engineers in New Zealand. Engineering New Zealand covers the wider profession, and vehicle compliance is regulated by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers decide how much weight to give them.
Who employs motorcycle engineers in New Zealand?
Likely employers include importers and distributors, motorcycle workshops, performance and race teams, and engineering firms serving the automotive sector. Some roles relate to vehicle certification and safety. Employers generally judge candidates on hands-on ability and project evidence, and a private qualification may or may not be valued depending on the employer.
How long does the course take alongside a job in New Zealand?
The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer where available.
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 failure modes of motorcycles exposed to severe off-road environments.
Select and maintain effective air filtration systems.
Apply sealing techniques in accordance with IP protection ratings.
Design lightweight yet robust mechanical protections.
Adapt cooling and lubrication to extreme conditions.
Prepare electrical systems that are robust against vibration and water.
Validate the preparation through bench tests and field trials.
Who it's for
- Off-road motorcycle preparer who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Rally mechanic who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Reliability engineer who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Protection designer who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Wiring technician who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Head of raid assistance who wants to specialise in Off-Road Preparation: Sealing, Filtration and Protection.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter off-road competition.
What you'll work with
- ISO 20653:2023
- IEC 60529
- ISO 5011:2020
- ISO 16750-3:2023
- FIM Rally Cross-Country Regulations
- Dakar Regulations (ASO)
- ISO 12103-1:2016
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Dust, mud, water and sand1.2Vibration and stone impacts1.3Extreme temperatures and altitude1.4Water crossings and maximum depth1.5Failure modes in off-road racing1.6Differences between enduro, rally and trail1.7Preparation regulations1.8Weight and maintenance access1.9Analysis of raid retirements1.10Case study: failure analysis of a Dakar edition
2.1Dust wear mechanisms2.2Foam, paper and cotton filters2.3Efficiency and dust holding capacity2.4Oiling foam filters2.5Air box and sealing2.6Pre-filters and filter covers2.7Raised air intakes2.8Maintenance during racing2.9ISO 5011 filtration testing2.10Laboratory: comparing filter efficiency
3.1O-rings and oil seals3.2IP protection ratings3.3Sealing electrical connectors3.4Engine and transmission breathers3.5Bearing sealing3.6Electronics protection3.7Immersion testing3.8Silicones and sealants3.9Critical water ingress points3.10Practice: preparing a watertight wiring harness
4.1Sump guards and engine protectors4.2Radiator guards4.3Hand guards and lever protectors4.4Disc guards4.5Swingarm and chain protection4.6Materials: aluminium, composites and HDPE4.7Mounting design4.8Impact testing4.9Weight versus protection4.10Workshop: designing an aluminium sheet sump guard
5.1Reinforced radiators and auxiliary fans5.2Thermal management at low speed in sand5.3Off-road oils and viscosities5.4Oil contamination from dust and water5.5Oil filtration and magnetic drain plugs5.6Clutch cooling in trials and enduro5.7Coolant losses and expansion tanks5.8Thermal instrumentation and alarms5.9Change intervals in severe conditions5.10Case study: overheating in a dune stage
6.1Reinforced wiring with sleeving and braiding6.2Deutsch connectors and sealed alternatives6.3Lithium batteries and alternators6.4Fuses, relays and circuit protection6.5Auxiliary LED lighting6.6Powering navigation instruments6.7Earthing and corrosion6.8Cable fatigue from vibration6.9Electrical diagnostics in the field6.10Practice: electrical schematic of a rally motorcycle
7.1Dust chambers and ingress testing7.2Immersion and splash testing7.3Bench vibration testing7.4Tests on representative terrain7.5Structured failure logging7.6Root cause analysis using 5 Whys7.7Corrective actions in design7.8Preparation documentation7.9Lessons learned per season7.10Case study: validation plan prior to a raid
8.1Definition of the motorcycle and the target test8.2Failure risk analysis8.3Air filtration solution8.4Sealing and watertightness plan8.5Mechanical protection design8.6Electrical system adaptation8.7Validation programme8.8Budget and parts list8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Excel, E3.series, in free, academic or trial versions. Tests are studied using real motorcycle preparation procedures for enduro and rally, sealing and dust ingress tests, and post-race failure analysis. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the failure modes of motorcycles exposed to severe off-road environments.
Select and maintain effective air filtration systems.
Apply sealing techniques in accordance with IP protection ratings.
Design lightweight yet robust mechanical protections.
Adapt cooling and lubrication to extreme conditions.
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 capable of running the programme's software.
- A sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Excel and E3.series. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM Institute upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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