Diploma in Anticorrosion Treatments for Structures
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in anticorrosion treatments for structures. 8 modules covering corrosion mechanisms, surface preparation, conversion and metallic coatings, protective paint systems, cavity and underbody protection, corrosion testing and treatment quality management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Anticorrosion Treatments for Structures — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
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 corrosion mechanisms that affect vehicle structures.
Prepare surfaces to standardised preparation grades.
Apply conversion and metallic coatings.
Design protective paint systems according to corrosivity.
Protect cavities and underbodies with suitable products.
Evaluate protection through standardised tests.
Manage the quality and environmental impact of the treatment.
Who it's for
- Anticorrosion protection technicians looking to deepen their expertise in structural treatments.
- Coatings inspectors.
- Chassis restorers working on classic vehicles.
- Industrial painting managers.
- Corrosion laboratory technicians.
- Bodyshop managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- EN ISO 12944 (corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems)
- EN ISO 8501-1 (preparation grades of steel substrates)
- EN ISO 9227 (salt spray tests)
- EN ISO 1461 (hot-dip galvanised coatings)
- EN ISO 2409 (cross-cut test)
- EN ISO 4628 (evaluation of coating degradation)
- EU VOC solvent emissions regulations (limits on emissions from coating activities)
- Elcometer ElcoMaster
- PosiSoft
- Excel thickness-control spreadsheets
- SketchUp
- ImageJ
8 modules
1.1Basic electrochemistry of corrosion1.2Uniform, pitting and crevice corrosion1.3Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals1.4Under-paint and filiform corrosion1.5Critical areas in chassis and bodywork1.6Influence of salt and humidity1.7Corrosion patterns in classic vehicles1.8Visual inspection and ultrasonic measurement1.9Classification of the degree of rusting1.10Laboratory: galvanic cell and electrochemical series
2.1Preparation grades according to ISO 8501-12.2Shot blasting and abrasive blasting2.3Chemical stripping by immersion2.4Removal of old paints and fillers2.5Cleaning of crevices and closed cavities2.6Roughness profile and its measurement2.7Control of soluble salts on the surface2.8Temporary protection after stripping2.9Safety in surface preparation2.10Practical: blasting and roughness measurement
3.1Phosphating and its application in the workshop3.2Hot-dip galvanising of frames3.3Electro-galvanising and zinc flake coating3.4Zinc-rich primers3.5Cataphoresis (e-coating) and its use on bodywork3.6Thermal spray metallising3.7Compatibility with subsequent paints3.8Limitations on restored vehicles3.9Coating thickness control3.10Workshop: application of a zinc-rich epoxy primer
4.1Epoxy and polyurethane primers4.2Design of multi-coat systems4.3Corrosivity categories according to ISO 129444.4Expected durability of systems4.5Environmental conditions for application4.6Wet and dry film thicknesses4.7Curing and recoating times4.8Application defects and their causes4.9Repair of local damage4.10Practical: paint system for a vehicle frame
5.1Cavity waxes and their penetration5.2Bituminous and anti-chip products5.3Joint and overlap sealants5.4Wax injection into chassis members5.5Drainage and ventilation of cavities5.6Water-based versus solvent-based products5.7Internal inspection with an endoscope5.8Periodic maintenance of the protection5.9Compatibility with classic vehicle conservation5.10Workshop: wax injection into chassis members
6.1Salt spray chamber according to ISO 92276.2Cyclic accelerated corrosion tests6.3Adhesion by cross-cut test6.4Adhesion by pull-off test6.5Thickness measurement by magnetic induction6.6Assessment of blistering and rust6.7Field exposure tests6.8Interpretation of test results6.9Writing the test report6.10Laboratory: assessment of test panels after salt spray
7.1Technical treatment specifications7.2Inspection and test plans7.3Recording of batches and products applied7.4Qualification of applicators and inspectors7.5Management of stripping waste7.6Control of VOC emissions7.7Occupational safety in paint booths7.8Warranties and maintenance programmes7.9Process quality indicators7.10Case study: specification for a restoration workshop
8.1Selection of the structure to be studied8.2Diagnosis of the state of corrosion8.3Surface preparation plan8.4Selection of the protective system8.5Cavity and underbody protection plan8.6Verification test plan8.7Budget for materials and labour8.8Long-term maintenance plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 Elcometer ElcoMaster, PosiSoft, Excel thickness-control spreadsheets, SketchUp and ImageJ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for blasting and roughness measurement, salt spray tests on panels and endoscopic cavity inspections. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EN ISO 12944, EN ISO 8501-1, EN ISO 9227, EN ISO 1461, EN ISO 2409, EN ISO 4628 and EU VOC solvent emissions regulations.
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 Elcometer ElcoMaster, PosiSoft, Excel thickness-control spreadsheets, SketchUp and ImageJ, 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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