Master’s in Micro-production of NLA Parts
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in the micro-production of NLA (no longer available) parts. 12 modules covering the NLA parts market, reverse engineering, short-run manufacturing processes, low-cost tooling, rubber, metal and plastic parts, electrical components, quality and approval, intellectual property and business operations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Micro-production of NLA Parts — 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: £7,440 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
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.
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
Analyse the market for no-longer-available parts.
Document parts through reverse engineering.
Select manufacturing processes for short runs.
Design low-cost tooling.
Manufacture parts in rubber, metal and plastic.
Manage quality, approval and intellectual property.
Develop a profitable micro-production business.
Who it's for
- Spare parts product engineers.
- Short-run production managers.
- Reverse engineering specialists.
- Quality technicians working with low-volume parts.
- Entrepreneurs in the classic spare parts business.
- Technical purchasing managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the spare parts manufacturing sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 9001 (quality management systems)
- Directive 85/374/EEC (liability for defective products)
- Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 (legal protection of industrial designs)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 (EU trade mark)
- UN ECE Regulation No 48 (installation of lighting devices)
- FIVA Technical Code (historic vehicle authenticity)
- ISO 1101 (geometrical product specifications)
- SolidWorks
- Geomagic Design X
- Mastercam
- Autodesk Moldflow
- Odoo
12 modules
1.1The concept of a no-longer-available part1.2Spare parts life cycle1.3Demand from clubs and specialist workshops1.4Manufacturers' heritage programmes1.5Independent reproduction manufacturers1.6Specialist sales platforms1.7Demand analysis methods1.8Pricing and elasticity in niche markets1.9Commercial risks in the market1.10Case study: parts demand for a 1970s model
2.1Collecting original samples2.23D scanning of worn parts2.3Parametric CAD reconstruction2.4Producing manufacturing drawings2.5Specification of equivalent materials2.6Definition of functional tolerances2.7Validation of fit on the vehicle2.8Organising the technical archive2.9Design version control2.10Practical: CAD reconstruction of a bracket
3.1Three- and five-axis CNC machining3.2Sand casting and lost-wax casting3.3Stamping with soft tooling3.4Plastic injection moulding with aluminium moulds3.5Moulding of rubber parts3.6Polymer and metal additive manufacturing3.7Manual and mechanical sheet metal forming3.8Process selection by volume and cost3.9Combining processes in a single part3.10Workshop: process selection matrix
4.1Machined aluminium moulds4.23D-printed moulds4.3Resin dies for stamping4.4Reusable modular tooling4.5Welding and assembly jigs4.6Dimensional inspection fixtures4.7Preventive maintenance of tooling4.8Tooling amortisation per part4.9Storage and preservation of tooling4.10Practical: design of a mould for a rubber part
5.1Types of elastomers and their properties5.2Formulation of rubber compounds5.3Compression and transfer moulding5.4Extrusion of sealing profiles5.5Hardness and ageing tests5.6Door and window seals5.7Gaiters, bump stops and bushes5.8Rubber-to-metal bonding5.9Quality control of elastomeric parts5.10Laboratory: Shore hardness test
6.1Period alloys and current equivalents6.2Aluminium sand casting6.3Bronze and brass casting6.4Making patterns and cores6.5Post-casting machining6.6Heat treatment of castings6.7Non-destructive testing of castings6.8Metallic and protective coatings6.9Period surface finishes6.10Case study: casting a thermostat housing
7.1Period plastics and their equivalents7.2Short-run plastic injection moulding7.3Thermoforming of panels7.4Vacuum casting with silicone moulds7.5Surface texturing and graining7.6Painting and metallising of plastics7.7Chrome plating on plastic parts7.8Resistance to UV ageing7.9Dimensional control of plastic parts7.10Practical: vacuum casting of a dashboard knob
8.1Reproduction of wiring harnesses8.2Period switches and relays8.3Reproduction of instrumentation8.4Lighting components and lamps8.5Auxiliary electric pumps and motors8.6Reproduced electromechanical components8.7Functional testing of components8.8Compatibility with the original installation8.9Electrical safety of reproductions8.10Workshop: manufacture of a reproduction wiring harness
9.1Quality system for short runs9.2First article inspection9.3Preparing the control plan9.4Product validation testing9.5UNECE regulations applicable to spare parts9.6Marking and identification of parts9.7Liability for defective products9.8Certificates of conformity for the customer9.9Management of complaints and warranties9.10Case study: validation of a rear lamp
10.1Protection of industrial design10.2Use of registered trademarks and emblems10.3Licences with original manufacturers10.4Collaboration agreements with clubs10.5Exploitation of expired patents10.6Legal risks of reproductions10.7Third-party manufacturing contracts10.8Confidentiality agreements10.9Management of rights and royalties10.10Case study: negotiating an emblem licence
11.1Micro-production business plan11.2Cost and pricing structure11.3Inventory management and minimum stock11.4Make-to-order production11.5International shipping logistics11.6E-commerce for spare parts11.7Marketing in brand communities11.8After-sales service and technical support11.9Business management indicators11.10Workshop: cost model for a short-run part
12.1Selection of the part or part family12.2Market and demand study12.3Complete reverse engineering12.4Selection of process and tooling12.5Quality and validation plan12.6Legal and licensing analysis12.7Business plan and feasibility12.8Prototype and validation on the vehicle12.9Thesis 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 each intake, so the programme fits around your work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Geomagic Design X, Mastercam, Autodesk Moldflow and Odoo, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for producing parts by vacuum casting, casting aluminium parts and validating first articles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 9001, Directive 85/374/EEC, Regulation (EC) No 6/2002, Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, UN ECE Regulation No 48, FIVA Technical Code and ISO 1101.
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 SolidWorks, Geomagic Design X, Mastercam, Autodesk Moldflow and Odoo, 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 university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
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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