Master’s in Body Engineering, Craftsmanship & Finishes
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in coachbuilding engineering, craftsmanship and finishes, structured in 12 modules covering body diagnosis, panel forming, joining and welding, timber frames, surface preparation, period paint finishes, brightwork, fitting and restoration documentation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Body Engineering, Craftsmanship & Finishes — 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$7,730 (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 history and ethics of car body restoration.
Diagnose the condition of classic car bodies.
Form and join panels using traditional craft techniques.
Restore timber and metal structures.
Prepare surfaces and apply period-correct finishes.
Restore brightwork and fit the complete body.
Document interventions according to authenticity criteria.
Who it's for
- Classic-car panel beaters looking to master traditional coachbuilding techniques.
- Car body restorers who want a solid technical and ethical framework for their work.
- Painters specialising in historic finishes and period colour matching.
- Restoration workshop managers who need to organise projects, costs and quality.
- Historic vehicle assessors who must judge the authenticity and condition of bodywork.
- Panel formers working with the English wheel, bucks and aluminium.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- FIVA Turin Charter (guidelines for the use, preservation and restoration of historic vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (technical classification and identification of historic vehicles)
- Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
- Directive 2004/42/EC (limits on VOC emissions from paints and vehicle refinishing products)
- ISO 9606-1 (qualification testing of welders — steels)
- ISO 2409 (paints and varnishes — cross-cut adhesion test)
- ISO 2813 (paints and varnishes — gloss measurement)
- ISO 4628-3 (paints and varnishes — assessment of degree of rusting)
- Rhinoceros
- Adobe Lightroom
- Autodesk Fusion
- AkzoNobel MIXIT
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Evolution of the car body from the horse-drawn carriage to the monocoque1.2Historic European coachbuilders1.3Traditional craft techniques1.4Historic materials: wood, steel and aluminium1.5Separate chassis versus unitary construction1.6Design styles and eras1.7Restoration ethics1.8The FIVA Turin Charter1.9Degrees of intervention1.10Case study: historical analysis of a car body
2.1Visual and tactile inspection2.2Measuring sheet-metal thickness2.3Detecting filler and previous repairs2.4Corrosion assessment2.5Alignment measurement2.6Photographic documentation of the process2.7Condition report2.8Deciding whether to repair or replace2.9Estimating the cost of the intervention2.10Workshop: diagnostic report on a car body
3.1Panel beater's tools3.2Shrinking and stretching3.3Hammer and dolly3.4Working with the English wheel3.5Pneumatic planishing hammer3.6Shrinkers and stretchers3.7Templates and bucks3.8Annealing aluminium3.9Finishing the metal surface3.10Practical exercise: forming a wing panel
4.1Oxy-acetylene welding of sheet metal4.2TIG welding of thin sheet4.3MIG and spot welding4.4Welding aluminium4.5Distortion control4.6Riveting and mechanical joints4.7Traditional lead loading4.8Structural adhesive bonding4.9Joint quality4.10Laboratory: TIG butt-welding a panel
5.1Coachwork with timber frames5.2Timbers: ash, oak and beech5.3Traditional joinery joints5.4Timber treatments5.5Restoring timber frames5.6Shooting brakes and woodies5.7Combining timber and metal5.8Exposed timber panels5.9Marine varnishing of timber5.10Case study: restoring an ash frame
6.1Chemical and mechanical stripping6.2Abrasive blasting and its risks6.3Dip stripping6.4Electrocoating and cataphoresis6.5Corrosion treatment6.6Primers and their compatibility6.7Fillers and their correct use6.8Progressive sanding through the grits6.9Flatness control6.10Workshop: preparing a panel for paint
7.1Historic paints: nitrocellulose, synthetic and acrylic7.2Modern basecoat/clearcoat paints7.3Matching original colours7.4Spray-gun application7.5Polishing and buffing7.6Clear coats and protection7.7Matt and satin finishes7.8VOC regulations7.9Quality control of the finish7.10Practical exercise: matching a period colour
8.1Chrome plating and its restoration8.2Aluminium and stainless-steel trims8.3Badges and emblems8.4Seals and rubbers8.5Glazing and its fitting8.6Headlamps and rear lamps8.7Exterior trim and hoods8.8Period fasteners8.9Reproducing small parts8.10Case study: restoring a chrome grille
9.1Fitting doors, bonnet and boot lid9.2Panel gaps and flushness9.3Panel assembly9.4Alignment with the chassis9.5Sealing and watertightness9.6Cavity protection9.7Sound-deadening and insulation materials9.8Final assembly of the body9.9Quality verification9.10Workshop: adjusting the panel gaps of a coupé
10.1Photographic record of the process10.2Materials and techniques used10.3Authenticity and originality10.4Identifying car bodies10.5Record sheets10.6Restoration dossier10.7FIVA ID Card10.8Valuing the work10.9Ethics and transparency10.10Practical exercise: car body restoration dossier
11.1Workshop organisation11.2Occupational health and safety11.3Environmental waste management11.4Estimates and costs11.5Managing restoration projects11.6Customer relations11.7Training apprentices11.8Selecting specialist suppliers11.9Quality and reputation11.10Case study: business plan for a coachbuilding workshop
12.1Selecting the vehicle or panel12.2Historical research on the model12.3Diagnosis and intervention plan12.4Carrying out the sheet-metal work12.5Preparation and finishing12.6Documenting the process12.7Evaluating the results12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online 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 the 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 Rhinoceros, Adobe Lightroom, Autodesk Fusion and AkzoNobel MIXIT, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: corrosion and thickness diagnosis, hand-forming of panels and matching of period colours. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIVA Turin Charter, FIVA Technical Code, Real Decreto 892/2013, Directive 2004/42/EC, ISO 9606-1, ISO 2409, ISO 2813 and ISO 4628-3.
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's 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 Rhinoceros, Adobe Lightroom, Autodesk Fusion and AkzoNobel MIXIT, 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 professional experience), 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.
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