Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms. 8 modules covering ASTM D3039, ASTM D7264 and Ansys Composite PrepPost (ACP). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms — 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
Select fibres, matrices and cores for structural components of two-wheelers.
Apply classical laminate theory to the design of stacking sequences.
Assess failure and damage tolerance of composite structures.
Design composite components using finite elements.
Choose the appropriate manufacturing process according to series and cost.
Plan characterisation tests and non-destructive inspection.
Assess the sustainability and repairability of composite parts.
Who it's for
- Composites design engineer who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Structural calculation engineer who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Lay-up process technician who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Composite materials quality engineer who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Non-destructive testing specialist who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Materials R&D engineer who wants to specialise in Structural Composites for 2R Platforms.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter motorcycle manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- ASTM D3039
- ASTM D7264
- ASTM D3518
- ISO 14125
- ASTM D5528
- ASTM D7136
- ASTM D7137
- ISO 527-4
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Epoxy, vinyl ester and thermoplastic matrices1.3Prepregs and dry fabrics1.4Foam and honeycomb cores1.5Specific properties compared with metals1.6Applications: wheels, swingarms and subframes1.7Composites in helmets and protective gear1.8Cost and availability of materials1.9Flammability and safety regulations1.10Workshop: comparison of laminates by specific stiffness
2.1Rule of mixtures and ply properties2.2Stiffness matrix of an orthotropic ply2.3Classical laminate theory (ABD)2.4Symmetric and balanced stacking sequences2.5Bending-torsion couplings and how to exploit them2.6Interlaminar stresses at free edges2.7Quasi-isotropic laminates and their equivalent stiffness2.8Laminate analysis tools2.9Laminates for wheels with integrated spokes2.10Practice: calculating the ABD matrix in Python
3.1Tsai-Wu and Tsai-Hill criteria3.2Hashin and Puck criteria3.3First-ply failure and ultimate failure3.4Delamination and crack initiation3.5Low-velocity impact damage3.6Residual strength after impact3.7Laminate fatigue3.8Environmental effects: moisture and temperature3.9Failure in metallic insert joints3.10Case study: damage tolerance of a swingarm
4.1Modelling plies and orientations4.2Shell and solid elements for composites4.3Laminate zoning4.4Thickness optimisation and ply drop-offs4.5Bolted joints and metallic inserts4.6Adhesive joints and bond analysis4.7Wheel analysis under combined loads4.8Impact modelling with explicit solver4.9Design against stone impact loads4.10Laboratory: designing a subframe in ACP
5.1Autoclave moulding of prepregs5.2Out-of-autoclave and oven-cure prepregs5.3RTM and HP-RTM for medium series5.4SMC and thermoplastic compression moulding5.5Mould and tooling manufacture5.6Manual and automated layup5.7Curing, porosity and process control5.8Machining and finishing of parts5.9Manufacturing defects and their origins5.10Practice: layup plan and vacuum bag
6.1Tensile testing of laminates6.2Three-point bending test6.3In-plane shear at ±45°6.4Mode I interlaminar toughness6.5Drop-weight impact and residual compression6.6C-scan ultrasonic inspection6.7Active thermography for defect detection6.8Wheel testing on rig6.9Fatigue testing of carbon wheels6.10Workshop: interpreting a C-scan report
7.1Quality control on prepreg reception7.2Batch traceability and shelf life7.3Defect acceptance criteria7.4Repair of carbon structures7.5Carbon fibre recycling7.6Natural fibres and bio-based resins7.7Life cycle analysis7.8Manufacturing cost per part7.9Prepreg waste management7.10Case study: LCA of a carbon swingarm
8.1Component selection and requirements8.2Choice of fibre, matrix and process8.3Laminate design8.4Finite element analysis8.5Verification of failure criteria8.6Definition of the manufacturing process8.7Validation test plan8.8Cost and sustainability analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes 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 Ansys Composite PrepPost (ACP), Abaqus, Fibersim, ESAComp, Altair OptiStruct, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for tensile and flexural testing of laminate coupons, drop-weight impact with residual compression, and C-scan ultrasonic inspection of cured parts. Assessment is continuous, module 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.
Select fibres, matrices and cores for structural components of two-wheelers.
Apply classical laminate theory to the design of stacking sequences.
Assess failure and damage tolerance of composite structures.
Design composite components using finite elements.
Choose the appropriate manufacturing process according to series and cost.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 full-time work.
You will work with Ansys Composite PrepPost (ACP), Abaqus, Fibersim, ESAComp, Altair OptiStruct. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is an in-house training qualification, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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