Master’s in Fuels, Lubricants and Modern Compatibility Engineering — Ethanol, Additives, Seals and Gaskets, Storage
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in fuels, lubricants and modern compatibility engineering, structured in 12 modules covering historical and current fuels, ethanol, additives, lubrication, functional fluids, seals and gaskets, fuel systems, long-term storage, analysis and regulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Fuels, Lubricants and Modern Compatibility Engineering — Ethanol, Additives, Seals and Gaskets, Storage — 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 129 000 (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
Compare historical and current fuels.
Mitigate the effects of ethanol on classic fuel systems.
Select suitable oils and greases.
Choose compatible functional fluids.
Replace gaskets and elastomers with suitable materials.
Prepare vehicles for long-term storage.
Interpret oil and fuel analyses.
Who it's for
- Lubricant technical advisers looking to deepen their knowledge of fuel and material compatibility
- Classic vehicle mechanics
- Collection managers responsible for historic vehicles
- Oil laboratory technicians
- Historic fleet managers
- Fuel system restorers
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into classic vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- EN 228 (unleaded petrol specification)
- EN 15376 (ethanol as a petrol blending component)
- SAE J300 (engine oil viscosity classification)
- Directive 2009/30/EC (fuel quality)
- EN 590 (diesel fuel specification)
- SAE J306 (gear oil viscosity classification)
- ACEA Oil Sequences (European engine oil categories)
- ISO 4925 (non-petroleum brake fluids)
- Microsoft Excel
- Minitab
- Fuchs Oil Finder
- Adobe Acrobat
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Period leaded petrol1.2The phase-out of lead1.3Current unleaded petrol1.4RON and MON octane ratings1.5Volatility and vapour pressure1.6Petrol composition1.7Old and current diesel fuel1.8Competition fuels1.9Synthetic and renewable fuels1.10Case study: 1965 petrol versus a current one
2.1E5, E10 and E852.2Hygroscopicity of ethanol2.3Phase separation2.4Metal corrosion2.5Attack on elastomers2.6Effect on carburettors2.7Biodiesel and its compatibility2.8Labelling regulations2.9Mitigation strategies2.10Workshop: compatibility assessment of a fuel system
3.1Lead substitutes3.2Valve seat protection3.3Octane boosters3.4Fuel stabilisers3.5Detergent additives for injectors3.6Anti-corrosion additives for tanks3.7Real-world effectiveness of additives3.8Additive testing3.9Recommended use of additives3.10Practical exercise: selecting additives for storage
4.1Functions of engine oil4.2Viscosity and SAE classification4.3Monograde and multigrade oils4.4Mineral and synthetic base oils4.5API and ACEA categories4.6ZDDP and camshaft wear4.7Detergency and deposits4.8Running-in oils4.9Change intervals4.10Laboratory: used oil analysis
5.1SAE J306 gear oils5.2API GL-4 and GL-5 categories5.3Compatibility with bronze components5.4Overdrive oils5.5ATF for period automatic gearboxes5.6Chassis greases5.7Bearing greases5.8Greasing points5.9Greasing schedule5.10Case study: lubrication plan for a chassis with grease nipples
6.1DOT 3, 4 and 5 brake fluids6.2LHM and LHS fluids6.3Clutch fluids6.4IAT and OAT coolants6.5Coolant compatibility6.6Steering fluids6.7Hydropneumatic system fluids6.8Risks of mixing fluids6.9Periodic system maintenance6.10Practical exercise: bleeding an LHM system
7.1Cork, paper and asbestos7.2NBR nitrile elastomers7.3FKM fluoroelastomers7.4Neoprene gaskets7.5Silicone gaskets and seals7.6Compatibility with fuels7.7Compatibility with oils7.8Selecting replacement gaskets7.9Ageing of elastomers7.10Workshop: replacing hoses with compatible materials
8.1Tank corrosion8.2Cleaning and treatment8.3Internal tank coatings8.4Mechanical and electric pumps8.5Fuel lines and hoses8.6Suitable filtration systems8.7Tank venting8.8Vapour lock prevention8.9Fire safety8.10Case study: restoring a corroded fuel tank
9.1Preparation for laying up9.2Fuel stabilisation9.3Engine protection9.4Battery care9.5Tyres and suspension9.6Humidity and corrosion9.7Covers and storage environment9.8Pest and rodent prevention9.9Recommissioning after storage9.10Practical exercise: lay-up protocol for a classic vehicle
10.1Fuel analysis10.2Spectrometric oil analysis10.3Kinematic viscosity measurement10.4Total base number (TBN)10.5Fuel and water contamination10.6Wear particles10.7Interpreting reports10.8Selecting specialist laboratories10.9Maintenance decisions10.10Laboratory: interpreting a spectrometric analysis
11.1Fuel Quality Directive11.2Availability of high-octane fuels11.3Renewable fuels and classic vehicles11.4eFuels and their future11.5Lubricant regulations11.6Waste management11.7Storage safety11.8Low-emission zones11.9The future of classic vehicle use11.10Case study: 2035 scenario for a classic car club
12.1Selection of vehicle or fleet12.2Compatibility analysis12.3Selection of fuels and additives12.4Lubrication plan12.5Selection of sealing materials12.6Storage protocol12.7Testing plan12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 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 Microsoft Excel, Minitab, Fuchs Oil Finder and Adobe Acrobat, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for spectrometric used oil analysis, elastomer compatibility assessment and long-term storage protocols. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 228, EN 15376, SAE J300, Directive 2009/30/EC, EN 590, SAE J306, ACEA Oil Sequences, ISO 4925.
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 demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 Microsoft Excel, Minitab, Fuchs Oil Finder and Adobe Acrobat, 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 degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a suitable computer and internet connection, 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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