Master’s in Hybrid Prototyping (Clay/Digital/VR)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in hybrid prototyping (clay, digital and VR), structured in 12 modules covering clay modelling, digitisation and scanning, digital surface modelling, milling, additive manufacturing, virtual and mixed reality reviews, interior prototypes and integrated hybrid workflows under ISO 10360, VDI/VDE 2634 and ISO/ASTM 52900, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Hybrid Prototyping (Clay/Digital/VR) — studying from South Africa
Materials and manufacturing underpin South Africa's mining, metals, automotive and heavy engineering industries. The country's rich mineral base supports research and production in metallurgy, polymers and advanced materials, and the CSIR and universities contribute to materials science. Quality management and standards compliance are essential for exporters, supported by the South African Bureau of Standards. Engineers in this field work on process control, materials testing and continuous improvement across production lines.
Fees for South Africa: R 148 000 (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, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. For quality and manufacturing, relevant bodies include the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and professional engineering institutions, with ECSA handling professional registration. Recognition of a private qualification rests with employers or those bodies, so confirm acceptance with them before you enrol.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in materials and manufacturing?
Manufacturers, materials suppliers and quality departments value practical knowledge of materials behaviour, process control and quality systems. A private advanced qualification can strengthen a CV, especially combined with shop-floor or engineering experience. Its value is judged by each employer, so discuss it with potential employers in your industry to gauge how it would be received.
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 in English, so you can study from home and do not need a student visa. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay fees in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Check the time-zone and workload details with SEIUM directly.
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
Select the type and fidelity of prototype according to the project stage.
Master clay modelling at different scales.
Digitise models and reconstruct high-quality surfaces.
Manufacture components by milling and additive manufacturing.
Organise design reviews in virtual and mixed reality.
Integrate physical and digital workflows efficiently.
Manage the resources and capacity of a prototyping studio.
Who it's for
- Clay modellers.
- Digital modellers.
- Design virtual reality specialists.
- Additive manufacturing technicians.
- Prototyping studio managers.
- 3D scanning engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10360 (acceptance and verification of coordinate measuring systems)
- VDI/VDE 2634 (optical 3D measuring systems)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing: terminology)
- ISO/ASTM 52910 (design for additive manufacturing)
- ISO 1101 (geometrical tolerancing)
- ISO 9241-920 (ergonomics of tactile and haptic interactions)
- ISO 10303 (STEP product data exchange)
- Autodesk Alias
- Autodesk VRED
- Geomagic Design X
- PolyWorks
- Unreal Engine
12 modules
1.1Role of the model in development1.2Types of prototype: form, function, experience1.3Fidelity and project stage1.4From sketch to physical model1.5Cost and time of prototypes1.6Decision-making with mock-ups1.7Hybrid physical-digital workflows1.8Organisation of a modelling studio1.9Cases from leading manufacturers1.10Case study: prototype plan for a project
2.1Types of industrial clay2.2Armature and model structure2.3Rake and spline tools2.4Surfaces and reflections2.5Tape and character lines2.6Scales: 1:4 and 1:12.7Di-Noc and presentation finishes2.8Working alongside the designer2.9Clay maintenance2.10Workshop: 1:4 scale clay model
3.1Laser and structured-light scanners3.2Measuring arms and photogrammetry3.3Point clouds and meshes3.4Cleaning and alignment3.5Scanning clay across iterations3.6Accuracy and resolution3.7Geomagic and PolyWorks software3.8Comparison with CAD3.9Feedback workflows3.10Lab: scanning a model
4.1NURBS surfaces and continuity4.2Alias for concept and Class-A modelling4.3Surface reconstruction from scans4.4Subdivision modelling for exploration4.5Zebra reflection evaluation4.6Data models for milling4.7Parametric surface variants4.8Synchronisation with engineering4.9Design data management4.10Practical exercise: surface reconstruction from a point cloud
5.1Five-axis milling machines5.2CAM toolpath programming5.3Roughing and finishing strategies5.4Milling clay and foams5.5Materials: tooling board, PU, resin5.6Manual post-processing of milled parts5.7Assembly of complete models5.8Tolerances in models5.9Workshop safety5.10Lab: milling a component
6.1FDM, SLA, SLS and MJF technologies6.2Printing large parts6.3Materials and finishes6.4Multi-material and colour PolyJet6.5Functional and transparent parts6.6Orientation and supports6.7Post-processing and painting6.8Cost per part6.9Integration with clay models6.10Practical exercise: 3D-printed headlamp parts
7.1Professional VR headsets7.2Review software: VRED, Unreal7.3Materials and light in VR7.41:1 scale and perception7.5Remote collaborative reviews7.6Interaction and measurement7.7Performance and data preparation7.8Limitations compared with physical models7.9Decision-making in VR7.10Workshop: interior review in VRED
8.1Digital overlay on clay8.2Projection of colour variants8.3Mixed reality headsets8.4Tracking and spatial registration8.5Mixed reality in the studio8.6Ergonomic reviews with bucks8.7Interface prototypes on a physical buck8.8Haptics and touch8.9User evaluation8.10Case study: colour variants projected onto a model
9.1Interior bucks9.2Functional seats and controls9.3Ambient lighting in prototypes9.4HMI integrated into models9.5Sound and haptic prototypes9.6Product clinics9.7Prototypes for user testing9.8Real and simulated materials9.9Perceived quality in prototypes9.10Practical exercise: interior buck with functional HMI
10.1From sketch to model in 72 hours10.2Iteration between clay, scanning and digital10.3Model version management10.4Coordination of physical and digital modellers10.5Digital twin of the model10.6Side-by-side comparisons10.7Communication with management10.8Documenting decisions10.9Efficiency metrics10.10Case study: redesign of a front end in a hybrid cycle
11.1Investment in equipment11.2Capacity planning11.3External modelling suppliers11.4Security and confidentiality11.5Training modellers11.6Sustainability in model materials11.7Costs per project11.8Trends: generative AI and scanning11.9Service indicators11.10Workshop: investment plan for a studio
12.1Design brief12.2Sketches and concept selection12.3Initial physical model12.4Digitisation and reconstruction12.5Iteration in VR12.6Final hybrid prototype12.7Evaluation with users or a jury12.8Workflow analysis12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Alias, Autodesk VRED, Geomagic Design X, PolyWorks and Unreal Engine, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: clay modelling with iterative scanning, design reviews in virtual reality and product clinics with interior bucks. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 10360, VDI/VDE 2634, ISO/ASTM 52900, ISO/ASTM 52910, ISO 1101, ISO 9241-920, ISO 10303 (STEP).
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 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 Autodesk Alias, Autodesk VRED, Geomagic Design X, PolyWorks and Unreal Engine, 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 demonstrable 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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