Postgraduate DiplomaRestoration & Classics Applications open

Diploma in Roadbooks, Navigation and Timing

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in roadbooks, navigation and timing for classic regularity rallies, structured in 8 modules covering regularity fundamentals, roadbook interpretation, cartography, instrumentation and calibration, time and average-speed calculation, crew communication and event organisation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Diploma in Roadbooks, Navigation and Timing — studying from the United Kingdom

Classic vehicle restoration is a notable niche in the United Kingdom, supported by specialist workshops, heritage motoring events and a strong enthusiast community. Centres such as Bicester Heritage, Gaydon and the Midlands host restoration businesses, parts suppliers and engineering services for historic cars and motorcycles. Knowledge of historic materials, classic engine systems and conservation standards is valued. Organisations such as the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and the Historic Vehicle Scheme support the sector.

Fees for the United Kingdom: £746 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom

  • Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC)
  • Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS)
  • Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
  • Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

Typical roles

  • Classic Vehicle Restorer
  • Heritage Vehicle Technician
  • Restoration Engineer
  • Classic Motorcycle Specialist

Questions from the United Kingdom

Is there a UK professional body or regulation for classic vehicle restoration engineering?

Restoration is largely unregulated in the UK, with no statutory title for classic vehicle restorers. Relevant organisations include the Institute of the Motor Industry and specialist classic car clubs, which offer their own training and recognition. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by any national body, so their standing with these organisations is for them to decide.

Do UK classic car restorers, dealers or auction houses value private online engineering training?

The UK classic car sector tends to value hands-on craftsmanship, documented restoration projects and reputation. A private qualification may complement this by showing technical study, but it is unlikely to be the main factor in hiring or client decisions. Acceptance depends on each business.

Can I study this part-time from the UK, and does my employer need to pay?

The programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study part-time from anywhere in the UK, with no visa needed. Study ranges from 300 hours to 1,900 hours, and an assigned technical tutor supports you. Fees can be paid in instalments. Employer sponsorship is possible if your employer agrees, which is more common in larger firms.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the regulations governing regularity events.

02

Interpret tulip roadbooks and notes accurately.

03

Navigate with maps on navigation sections.

04

Calibrate and interpret regularity instrumentation.

05

Calculate ideal times and manage average-speed changes.

06

Coordinate communication between co-driver and driver.

07

Design the roadbook and timing system for an event.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Regularity co-drivers aiming to compete at a higher level.
  • Roadbook designers for classic rallies and tours.
  • Clerks of the course and regularity event directors.
  • Sports timekeepers.
  • Navigation instructors.
  • Organisers of classic vehicle touring routes.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the classic vehicle club scene.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • FIVA Technical Code (historic vehicle criteria)
  • FIA International Sporting Code (motorsport rules)
  • National federation regularity regulations (regularity rally rules)
  • Road traffic regulations (driving on open public roads)
  • Regulations on sporting events on public roads (permits and safety)
  • Rallynavigator
  • Tripy
  • Blunik
  • QGIS
  • Google Earth Pro
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Disciplines: regularity, navigation and historic rally
  2. 1.2FIVA and federation regularity regulations
  3. 1.3Imposed average speeds and secret checks
  4. 1.4Penalties and classification
  5. 1.5Roles of the driver and co-driver
  6. 1.6Mandatory crew equipment
  7. 1.7Liaison sections and timed sections
  8. 1.8Route sheets and time cards
  9. 1.9Race strategy in regularity
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a final classification
  1. 2.1Tulip diagrams and how to read them
  2. 2.2Partial and total distances
  3. 2.3Notes, references and symbols
  4. 2.4Waypoints and time controls
  5. 2.5Typical reading errors
  6. 2.6Paper and digital roadbooks
  7. 2.7Organising the co-driver’s workspace
  8. 2.8Reading ahead and communicating with the driver
  9. 2.9Correcting route errors
  10. 2.10Practical: urban route with a tulip roadbook
  1. 3.1Topographic maps and scales
  2. 3.2Coordinates, bearings and orientation
  3. 3.3Navigation with map and compass
  4. 3.4Navigation sections with blank maps
  5. 3.5Map itineraries with mandatory points
  6. 3.6Reading contour lines and relief
  7. 3.7Use of GPS and its regulatory limits
  8. 3.8Planning reconnaissance routes
  9. 3.9Night navigation with auxiliary lighting
  10. 3.10Workshop: plotting an itinerary on a topographic map
  1. 4.1Trip masters and precision odometers
  2. 4.2Odometer calibration on a measured section
  3. 4.3Influence of tyres and pressure
  4. 4.4Synchronised stopwatches and clocks
  5. 4.5Regularity smartphone apps
  6. 4.6Wheel sensors and GPS
  7. 4.7Regulatory limits on instruments
  8. 4.8Equipment maintenance and redundancy
  9. 4.9Calibration records
  10. 4.10Practical: calibrating a trip master
  1. 5.1Average-speed tables and ideal times
  2. 5.2Calculating time ahead and behind
  3. 5.3Average-speed changes within a section
  4. 5.4Managing neutralisations
  5. 5.5Recovering after a route error
  6. 5.6Calculation with a calculator and with an app
  7. 5.7Strategies for secret checks
  8. 5.8Managing pace in open traffic
  9. 5.9Analysing time dispersion
  10. 5.10Workshop: passage table for a section with three average speeds
  1. 6.1Voice protocols between co-driver and driver
  2. 6.2Standardised note vocabulary
  3. 6.3Managing stress and fatigue
  4. 6.4Decision-making under pressure
  5. 6.5Sharing tasks at controls
  6. 6.6Road safety and respect for traffic
  7. 6.7Handling incidents
  8. 6.8Post-section debrief
  9. 6.9Crew training
  10. 6.10Practical: section simulation with average-speed changes
  1. 7.1Designing routes and roadbooks
  2. 7.2Selecting sections and obtaining permits
  3. 7.3Positioning secret checks
  4. 7.4GPS timing systems
  5. 7.5Calculating classifications
  6. 7.6Safety and marshals
  7. 7.7Supplementary regulations of the event
  8. 7.8Communication with participants
  9. 7.9Post-event evaluation
  10. 7.10Case study: designing a regularity stage
  1. 8.1Defining the route
  2. 8.2Reconnaissance and data collection
  3. 8.3Producing the roadbook
  4. 8.4Average-speed tables and controls
  5. 8.5Timing plan
  6. 8.6Route safety analysis
  7. 8.7Pilot run with a crew
  8. 8.8Adjustments and final version
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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 regulations and applied exercises. The working software is Rallynavigator, Tripy, Blunik, QGIS and Google Earth Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: routes with tulip roadbooks, trip master calibration on a measured section, and section simulations with average-speed changes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: FIVA Technical Code, FIA International Sporting Code, national federation regularity regulations, road traffic regulations, regulations on sporting events on public roads.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the FIVA Technical Code and the FIA International Sporting Code applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Rallynavigator, Tripy, Blunik, QGIS and Google Earth Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:A complete roadbook, average-speed tables and timing plan for a regularity route, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Tulip roadbook run
Complete an urban route following a tulip roadbook.
Map itinerary
Plot an itinerary with mandatory points on a topographic map.
Trip master calibration
Calibrate a trip master on a measured section and record the results.
Passage table
Build the passage table for a section with three average speeds.
Final project
A complete roadbook and timing plan for a regularity route, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Regularity co-driverRoadbook designerRegularity event directorSports timekeeperNavigation instructorClassic vehicle touring route organiser
Admissions & scholarships

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.

FAQ

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 Rallynavigator, Tripy, Blunik, QGIS and Google Earth 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 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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