Diploma in Advanced Materials for Roll Cages
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in advanced materials for roll cages: 8 modules covering the function of safety structures, steels, light alloys and titanium, composites and hybrid structures, design and calculation, fabrication and welding, and testing and homologation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Advanced Materials for Roll Cages — studying from the United States
Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.
Fees for the United States: US$1,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is there formal professional recognition for classic vehicle restoration in the US?
Restoration is mostly a craft and hobby sector without a licensed engineering title. Relevant organizations include the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Society of Automotive Historians. Some work touches on SAE standards and state vehicle inspection rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, and their value depends on the client or employer.
What career options exist in classic and restoration work in the US?
Options include independent restoration shops, dealerships specializing in classic cars, auction houses, museums, and collector-focused consultancies. Roles range from restoration technician to project manager. Because this sector values reputation and craftsmanship, portfolios and references often matter more than formal credentials.
Can I study this part-time while working in the US?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Workloads run from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and you can plan study around your existing work commitments.
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
Understand the structural function of roll cages.
Select suitable steels for safety structures.
Assess the use of light alloys and titanium.
Integrate composites into hybrid structures.
Calculate safety structures using finite element analysis.
Fabricate and weld structures with qualified procedures.
Prepare tests and homologation files.
Who it's for
- Safety structure engineers.
- Roll cage fabricators.
- Qualified TIG welders.
- Materials engineers.
- Homologation technicians.
- Technical scrutineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Appendix J, Article 253 (safety equipment for Group N, A and R cars, including safety cages)
- FIA Appendix J, Article 283 (safety equipment for cross-country vehicles)
- UNE-EN 10305-1 (seamless cold-drawn steel tubes for precision applications)
- ASTM A519 (seamless carbon and alloy steel mechanical tubing)
- SAE AMS 6360 (chromium-molybdenum 4130 seamless steel tubing)
- UNE-EN ISO 9606-1 (qualification testing of welders, steels)
- UNE-EN ISO 15614-1 (welding procedure qualification for steels)
- UNE-EN ISO 3834-2 (comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding)
- SolidWorks
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Bend-Tech
- Abaqus
8 modules
1.1Rollover protection1.2Side-impact protection1.3Vehicle torsional stiffness1.4Design loads1.5Geometry of hoops and braces1.6Joints and nodes1.7Mounting points to the bodyshell1.8Regulatory requirements1.9Evolution of roll cages1.10Case study: analysis of a roll cage after a rollover
2.1Cold-drawn carbon steels2.2Chromium-molybdenum steels2.3Mechanical properties2.4Seamless tubes2.5Dimensional tolerances2.6Material certificates2.7Weldability2.8Heat treatments2.9Corrosion and protection2.10Laboratory: tensile test on steel tube
3.1Titanium in safety structures3.2Aluminium alloys3.3Regulatory limitations3.4Welding titanium3.5Gas shielding3.6Fatigue in light alloys3.7Mixed-material joints3.8Cost versus benefit3.9Applications in other industries3.10Practical: comparing stiffness and weight across materials
4.1Structural carbon fibre4.2Composite tubes4.3Metal inserts4.4Carbon survival cells4.5Energy absorption of composites4.6Adhesive joints4.7Inspection of composites4.8Applicable regulations4.9The future of materials4.10Workshop: designing a composite side-protection panel
5.1Modelling the structure5.2Regulatory static loads5.3Finite element analysis5.4Tube buckling5.5Stress concentration at nodes5.6Weight optimisation5.7Torsional stiffness5.8Calculating mounting points5.9Calculation report5.10Laboratory: finite element analysis of a roll cage
6.1Tube bending6.2Cutting and notching6.3Fabrication jigs6.4TIG welding6.5Welder qualification6.6Welding procedures6.7Distortion control6.8Weld inspection6.9Material traceability6.10Practical: fabricating a welded node
7.1Static load tests7.2Component tests7.3Non-destructive testing7.4Manufacturer certification7.5Homologation documentation7.6Scrutineering7.7Repairing damaged structures7.8Service life of the structure7.9Quality in fabrication7.10Case study: homologation file for a roll cage
8.1Selecting the vehicle8.2Regulatory requirements8.3Selecting materials8.4Designing the structure8.5Calculation8.6Fabrication plan8.7Test plan8.8Technical dossier8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, Bend-Tech and Abaqus, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: static load testing of a safety structure, tensile testing of tubes and inspection of welds at nodes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: FIA Appendix J, Article 253; FIA Appendix J, Article 283; UNE-EN 10305-1; ASTM A519; SAE AMS 6360; UNE-EN ISO 9606-1; UNE-EN ISO 15614-1; UNE-EN ISO 3834-2.
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
- 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.
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 SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, Bend-Tech and Abaqus, 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 required), a computer able to run the 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
Postgraduate Diploma in Market Indices and Classic Trends
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Market Indices and Classic Trends. 8 modules covering International Valuation Standards (IVS, IVSC), RICS Valuation – Global Standards (Red Book) and…
Postgraduate Diploma in Glass and Rubber Cutting and Fitting
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Glass and Rubber Cutting and Fitting. 8 modules covering UNECE Regulation No. 43 (safety glazing), ANSI/AGRSS 002 (automotive glass replacement) and…
Diploma in Technical and Legal Due Diligence of Vehicles
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in technical and legal due diligence of vehicles. 8 modules covering identification and title, technical inspection, authenticity, documentary review, legal…
More in Restoration & Classics
All Restoration & Classics programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships