Master’s in Classic Trucks and Buses Engineering — Air Brakes, Heavy Transmissions, Specific Documentation
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in classic truck and bus engineering — air brakes, heavy transmissions and specific documentation. 12 modules covering the history of trucks and buses, air brakes, heavy diesel engines, heavy transmissions, chassis and running gear, bodywork and cabs, 24 V electrics, documentation and legalisation, heavy-vehicle workshop logistics and operation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Classic Trucks and Buses Engineering — Air Brakes, Heavy Transmissions, Specific Documentation — 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
Identify historic truck and bus models and coachbuilders.
Diagnose and restore air brake systems.
Rebuild diesel engines and heavy transmissions.
Repair chassis, cabs and body structures.
Manage documentation and exemptions for historic heavy vehicles.
Organise the logistics of a heavy-vehicle workshop.
Operate historic vehicles safely at events.
Who it's for
- Classic truck restorers
- Air brake technicians
- Heavy transmission mechanics
- Curators of historic fleets
- Heavy-vehicle documentation managers
- Technical managers at transport museums
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into heavy-vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- UN ECE Regulation No. 13 (braking of heavy vehicles)
- Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos (Spanish Historic Vehicles Regulation)
- Regulation (EC) 561/2006 (driving and rest times)
- Regulation (EU) 165/2014 (tachographs)
- Real Decreto 2822/1998, Reglamento General de Vehículos (Spanish General Vehicle Regulation)
- Directive 96/53/EC (maximum weights and dimensions)
- UN ECE Regulation No. 107 (buses and coaches)
- AutoCAD
- SolidWorks
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Access
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Pegaso, Barreiros and Ebro1.2Leyland, Bedford and Mercedes-Benz1.3Separate chassis and bodywork on buses1.4Historic Spanish coachbuilders1.5Forward-control versus bonneted cabs1.6Period tractor units and semi-trailers1.7Double-deck buses and trolleybuses1.8Archives and technical documentation1.9Heavy-vehicle museums1.10Case study: identifying a Pegaso Comet
2.1Compressor and pressure governor2.2Air dryer and reservoirs2.3Foot valve and relay valves2.4Brake chambers and spring brake actuators2.5Spring-applied parking brake2.6Trailer control and supply lines2.7S-cam drum brakes2.8Manual and automatic slack adjusters2.9Circuit leak testing2.10Laboratory: air valve test bench
3.1Direct and indirect injection3.2In-line injection pumps3.3Injector setting3.4Early turbochargers on heavy vehicles3.5Cooling of heavy engines3.6Cold starting and glow plugs3.7Lubrication and filtration3.8Rebuilding blocks and cylinder heads3.9Valve clearance adjustment3.10Practical: bench setting of injectors
4.1Unsynchronised gearboxes and double-declutching4.2Splitter and range units4.3Twin-plate clutches4.4Double-reduction axles4.5Locking differentials4.6Long propeller shafts4.7Power take-offs4.8Period retarders4.9Driving technique for heavy gearboxes4.10Workshop: rebuilding a twin-plate clutch
5.1Riveted side-member chassis5.2Leaf springs and tandem bogies5.3Early air suspension5.4Hydraulically assisted steering5.5King pins and stub-axle bushes5.6Split-rim wheels and heavy tyres5.7Axle alignment5.8Fatigue and cracks in side members5.9Riveting versus bolting5.10Practical: replacing king pins
6.1Steel and timber cabs6.2Tubular bus frames6.3Riveted aluminium panels6.4Bus seats and upholstery6.5Sliding windows and glass6.6Air-operated doors6.7Saloon interior lighting6.8Corrosion of the structure6.9Repairing structural sections6.10Workshop: repairing a bus body section
7.124 V architecture7.2Heavy-duty dynamos and alternators7.3Batteries in series7.4Lighting and signalling7.5Instrument panels7.6Heating and ventilation7.7Wiring and protection7.8Fault diagnosis7.9Sympathetic LED conversion7.10Laboratory: charging circuit diagnosis
8.1Classification of historic heavy vehicles8.2ITV card and technical data sheets8.3Tachograph exemptions8.4C and D driving licences8.5Carrying passengers at events8.6Maximum weights and dimensions8.7Insurance for historic heavy vehicles8.8Vehicles without documentation8.9Importing heavy vehicles8.10Case study: file for a historic bus
9.1Facilities and inspection pit9.2High-capacity lifting and jacks9.3Safety under the vehicle9.4Low-loader transport9.5Storing bulky parts9.6Planning the restoration9.7Costs and funding9.8Associations and volunteering9.9Project risks9.10Case study: restoration plan for a 1965 truck
10.1Sources of heavy-vehicle spares10.2Using donor vehicles10.3Manufacturing machined parts10.4Casting parts10.5Asbestos-free brake linings10.6Period tyres10.7International supplier network10.8Catalogues and exploded views10.9Stock management10.10Practical: relining S-cam brake shoes
11.1Driving classic heavy vehicles11.2Driver training11.3Events and exhibitions11.4Preventive maintenance of historic heavy vehicles11.5Long-term storage in a shed11.6Preventive conservation of bodywork and mechanics11.7Recommissioning after inactivity11.8Inspection before each outing11.9Emergency plan11.10Case study: operating a historic bus at events
12.1Choice of truck or bus12.2Historical research on the vehicle12.3Diagnosis by system12.4Brakes and safety plan12.5Transmission restoration12.6Bodywork and cab12.7Documentary and legal file12.8Budget and logistics12.9Master'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 each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Access, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: restoration of air brakes, rebuilding of heavy transmissions and documentation files for historic heavy vehicles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UN ECE Regulation No. 13; Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos; Regulation (EC) 561/2006; Regulation (EU) 165/2014; Real Decreto 2822/1998, Reglamento General de Vehículos; Directive 96/53/EC; UN ECE Regulation No. 107.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
- 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 AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Access, 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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