Diploma in Auction Preparation: Reserve, Catalogue and Photography
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Auction Preparation: Reserve, Catalogue and Photography. 8 modules covering the classic car auction market, valuation and reserve setting, pre-sale inspection and documentation, catalogue writing, lot photography, cosmetic preparation and auction-day logistics, applying Directive (EU) 2015/849 and the FIVA Technical Code, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Auction Preparation: Reserve, Catalogue and Photography — 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 24 000 (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
Analyse the classic vehicle auction market and its indicators.
Value a vehicle and propose a justified reserve price.
Verify the documentation and provenance of a lot.
Write technical, accurate and legally sound catalogue descriptions.
Plan and carry out lot photo shoots.
Prepare a vehicle cosmetically without compromising its originality.
Coordinate auction-day logistics and follow-up.
Who it's for
- Classic vehicle consignment specialists.
- Technical catalogue writers.
- Automotive photographers.
- Historic vehicle valuers.
- Auction coordinators.
- Collector advisers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter auction houses.
What you'll work with
- Directive (EU) 2015/849 (prevention of money laundering)
- FIVA Technical Code (identification and classification of historic vehicles)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) (protection of personal data)
- Adobe Lightroom Classic
- Capture One
- Adobe Photoshop
- Hagerty Valuation Tools
- Classic Car Database
8 modules
1.1Auction houses and the international calendar1.2Formats: live, online and hybrid1.3Reserve price, estimate and hammer price1.4Buyer's and seller's premium1.5Market indices and comparable results1.6Value drivers: originality, history and condition1.7Trends by make, model and era1.8Risk of no sale and re-marketing strategies1.9Bidder and collector profiles1.10Case study: reading the results of a season
2.1Comparable-based valuation methods2.2Vehicle condition scales2.3Adjustments for matching numbers and restoration2.4Influence of documented provenance2.5Negotiating the reserve with the consignor2.6Low and high estimates and no-reserve sales2.7Guarantees and irrevocable bids2.8Tax impact of selling at auction2.9Professional valuation report2.10Practical exercise: reserve proposal for three lots
3.1Technical inspection before consignment3.2Verifying chassis and engine numbers3.3Manufacturer certificates and marque registers3.4FIVA identity cards and historic passports3.5Ownership and service history3.6Import and customs documentation3.7Detecting replicas and rebuilt vehicles3.8Condition report for the catalogue3.9Documentary chain of custody3.10Workshop: documentary audit of a 1960s sports car
4.1Structure of a lot description4.2Technical and narrative writing about the vehicle4.3Objective description of defects and repairs4.4Chronology and provenance in the text4.5Translation and adaptation for markets4.6Compliance with conditions of sale4.7Legal liability for descriptions4.8Printed versus digital catalogues4.9Editorial review and error control4.10Practical exercise: writing a complete lot description
5.1Planning the photo shoot5.2Standard sequence of exterior views5.3Photographing interiors, engine bay and underside5.4Studio lighting with softboxes and diffusers5.5Outdoor photography with natural light5.6Controlling reflections on paint and chrome5.7Detail of numbers and identification plates5.8Editing, colour correction and ethical retouching5.9Delivery formats for catalogue and web5.10Lab: studio session with a classic coupé
6.1Washing, decontamination and drying6.2Paint correction and controlled polishing6.3Treating chrome and aluminium6.4Cleaning the engine bay without altering originality6.5Conditioning leather, wood and carpets6.6Tyres, wheels and hubcaps6.7Limits between preparation and restoration6.8Mechanical fettling for display6.9Before-and-after photographic record6.10Practical exercise: preparing a lot for the preview
7.1Transport and delivery to the venue7.2Insurance for lots on deposit7.3Preview and bidder support7.4Running order of lots7.5Telephone, online and commission bids7.6Managing the saleroom and the gavel7.7Settlement, payment and transfer of ownership7.8Post-sale of unsold lots7.9Follow-up with consignors and buyers7.10Case study: analysing an auction day
8.1Selecting the vehicle to study8.2Valuation and reserve report8.3Complete documentary dossier8.4Written catalogue description8.5Professional photo shoot8.6Cosmetic preparation plan8.7Logistics and presentation plan8.8Communication strategy for the lot8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. You work with Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One, Adobe Photoshop, Hagerty Valuation Tools and Classic Car Database, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: studio and outdoor lot photo shoots, documentary provenance audits and cosmetic preparation before auction. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2015/849, FIVA Technical Code, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).
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. A university degree is not required.
- 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 Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One, Adobe Photoshop, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Classic Car Database, 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 suitable computer 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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