Master’s in Glass, Hardware and Analogue Instrumentation
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in glass, hardware and analogue instrumentation for classic vehicles. 12 modules covering period glazing, locks and hinges, hardware finishes, mechanical and electrical gauges, replica manufacture and UN/ECE regulations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Glass, Hardware and Analogue Instrumentation — 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 185 000 (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
Understand the historical evolution of automotive glass, hardware and instruments.
Assess, repair and fit period glazing.
Rebuild locks, hinges and mechanisms.
Restore the finishes of metal hardware.
Restore mechanical and analogue electrical instrumentation.
Design and manufacture component replicas.
Apply the relevant regulations and run a specialist workshop.
Who it's for
- Classic instrumentation restorers looking to broaden their expertise to glass and hardware.
- Vehicle glazing technicians working on period cars.
- Hardware and chrome restorers who want a more technical, standards-based approach.
- Replica manufacturers producing period components.
- Restoration workshop technicians.
- Classic parts suppliers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking a career in classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 43 (safety glazing materials)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 11 (door latches and door retention components)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 39 (speedometer and odometer)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 46 (devices for indirect vision)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 125 (driver's forward field of vision)
- ISO 2575 (symbols for controls, indicators and tell-tales)
- FIVA Technical Code (historic vehicle classification and authenticity)
- SolidWorks
- Autodesk Fusion
- Rhinoceros
- KiCad
12 modules
1.1Evolution of automotive glazing1.2Evolution of locks and hinges1.3Evolution of instrumentation1.4Period component manufacturers1.5Originality and value1.6Component documentation1.7The parts market1.8Replicas versus originals1.9Intervention criteria1.10Case study: component inventory of a classic car
2.1Toughened glass2.2Laminated glass2.3Flat and curved windscreens2.4Manufacturer marks and dates2.5Defects and delamination2.6Scratch polishing2.7Reproduction of curved glass2.8Glazing regulations2.9Safe handling2.10Laboratory: assessment of a laminated windscreen
3.1Period rubber seals3.2Fitting with a filler cord3.3Bonded glass3.4Sealants3.5Watertightness3.6Door glass and window regulators3.7Sliding windows3.8Roofs and hoods with windows3.9Seal reproduction3.10Workshop: fitting a windscreen with a rubber seal
4.1Door and bonnet hinges4.2Door locks4.3Interior and exterior handles4.4Lock barrels and keys4.5Hood catches4.6Window regulator mechanisms4.7Check straps and stops4.8Wear and repair4.9Lock regulations4.10Practical: rebuilding a door lock
5.1Decorative chrome plating5.2Nickel plating5.3Polished brass5.4Zamak die-castings5.5Pitting repair5.6Polishing and buffing5.7Protective coatings5.8Reproduction by casting5.9Quality control5.10Laboratory: repairing a zamak part
6.1Eddy-current speedometers6.2Mechanical rev counters6.3Drive cables6.4Odometers6.5Oil pressure gauges6.6Capillary thermometers6.7Dashboard clocks6.8Speedometer calibration6.9Mechanism repair6.10Workshop: restoring a mechanical speedometer
7.1Crossed-coil gauges7.2Bimetallic gauges7.3Voltage stabilisers7.4Fuel level senders7.5Ammeters and voltmeters7.6Warning lights7.7Instrument panel lighting7.8Instrument panel wiring7.9Fault diagnosis7.10Practical: repairing a fuel gauge
8.1Dial restoration8.2Dial screen printing8.3Needle painting8.4Historical luminous materials8.5Radioactivity in old dials8.6Glasses and bezels8.7Instrument seals8.8Dial reproduction8.9Ethics of intervention8.10Case study: restoring an instrument panel
9.1Component scanning9.2CAD modelling9.3Machining9.4Lost-wax casting9.5Additive manufacturing9.6Hidden electronics in instruments9.7Glass reproduction9.8Dimensional inspection9.9Short production runs9.10Workshop: replica of a door handle
10.1Historic vehicles and glazing10.2Visibility requirements10.3Rear-view mirrors10.4Speedometers and their accuracy10.5Door locks and retention10.6Roadworthiness inspection10.7Vehicle modifications10.8The restorer's liability10.9Documentation10.10Practical: regulatory check of components
11.1Workshop organisation11.2Special tools11.3Suppliers11.4Quotations11.5Labour times11.6Managing customers' parts11.7Warranties11.8Marketing11.9Continuing professional development11.10Case study: business plan for an instrument workshop
12.1Selection of the vehicle or assembly12.2Historical research12.3Diagnosis12.4Restoration plan12.5Restoration of glass and seals12.6Restoration of hardware12.7Restoration of instruments12.8Final dossier12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, Rhinoceros and KiCad, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for calibrating mechanical speedometers, fitting windscreens with rubber seals and rebuilding locks and hinges. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UN/ECE Regulation No. 43, UN/ECE Regulation No. 11, UN/ECE Regulation No. 39, UN/ECE Regulation No. 46, UN/ECE Regulation No. 125, ISO 2575, FIVA Technical Code.
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 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 SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion, Rhinoceros and KiCad, 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, plus 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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