Postgraduate Diploma in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery. 8 modules covering UNECE Regulation No. 107 (general bus construction), UNECE Regulation No. 118 (fire behaviour of interior materials) and CATIA. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery — 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 16 700 (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
Apply bus construction and safety regulations to interior design.
Analyse the passenger compartment structure and its anchorage points.
Select linings and upholstery that meet fire requirements.
Design seat layouts compatible with regulations and ergonomics.
Integrate accessibility solutions for persons with reduced mobility.
Plan the manufacture, assembly and refurbishment of interiors.
Develop a complete bus interior project.
Who it's for
- Bus body engineer wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Transport vehicle interior designer wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Industrial upholstery technician wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Bus type-approval engineer wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Production manager at a bodybuilder wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Fleet refurbishment technician wishing to specialise in Bus Interiors: Structures and Upholstery.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter bus bodybuilding companies.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No. 107 (general bus construction)
- UNECE Regulation No. 118 (fire behaviour of interior materials)
- UNECE Regulation No. 80 (bus seats)
- UNECE Regulation No. 66 (superstructure strength)
- UNECE Regulation No. 14 (seat belt anchorages)
- ISO 3795 (flammability of interior materials)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (approval of motor vehicles)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1UNECE R107 bus regulation1.2Classes I, II, III, A and B1.3UNECE R66 rollover resistance1.4UNECE R118 fire behaviour1.5UNECE R80 coach seats1.6UNECE R14 and R16 anchorages and seat belts1.7Accessibility for persons with reduced mobility1.8School transport directive1.9Emergency exit requirements1.10Case study: requirements for a class III coach
2.1Monocoque and chassis-mounted bodywork2.2Steel and aluminium profiles2.3Floor structure and floor boards2.4Seat anchorages to the structure2.5Reinforcements for rollover resistance2.6Wheel arch integration2.7Welded, riveted and adhesive joints2.8Corrosion in bus structures2.9Structural repair of the passenger compartment2.10Practice: calculation of anchorages for a row of seats
3.1Side panels and roofs3.2Composite and thermoformed materials3.3Anti-slip vinyl flooring3.4Thermal and acoustic insulation3.5Luggage racks and overhead shelves3.6Integrated interior lighting3.7Fire behaviour of materials3.8ISO 3795 flammability tests3.9Cleaning and maintenance of linings3.10Workshop: selection of lining materials
4.1Urban and interurban seat typologies4.2Structure and polyurethane foams4.3Technical fabrics and their resistance4.4Martindale abrasion tests4.5Colour fastness tests4.6Pattern making and upholstery cutting4.7Sewing and industrial assembly4.8Seats with integrated seat belt4.9Ergonomics and passenger comfort4.10Practice: pattern making of a seat cover
5.1Ramps and lifting platforms5.2Wheelchair spaces5.3Bars and handrails5.4Visual contrast and signage5.5Driver's workstation5.6Passenger information5.7Air conditioning and ventilation5.8Lighting and visual comfort5.9Universal design in buses5.10Case study: redesign of the reduced-mobility (PRM) area
6.1Interior assembly sequence6.2Structural fixings and adhesives6.3Tolerances and fits6.4In-line quality control6.5Variant management and customisation6.6Tools and jigs6.7Health and safety in bodybuilding6.8Suppliers and supply chain6.9Manufacturing costs6.10Workshop: assembly process sheet for an interior
7.1Diagnosis of interior condition7.2Seat replacement and re-upholstery7.3Changing seat layout7.4Modifications and their legalisation7.5Conversion to motorhomes and special vehicles7.6Restoration of historic buses7.7Recycling and waste management7.8Interior disinfection and hygiene7.9Costing refurbishments7.10Case study: refurbishment of a coach
8.1Vehicle and service definition8.2Regulatory requirements8.3Interior layout8.4Structure and anchorages8.5Selection of linings8.6Seats and upholstery8.7Accessibility8.8Manufacturing plan and costs8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CATIA, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D, ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for upholstery flammability testing, verification of anchorages and seats, and accessibility audits of passenger compartments. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Apply bus construction and safety regulations to interior design.
Analyse the passenger compartment structure and its anchorage points.
Select linings and upholstery that meet fire requirements.
Design seat layouts compatible with regulations and ergonomics.
Integrate accessibility solutions for persons with reduced mobility.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to read technical regulatory texts.
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 spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses CATIA, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D and ANSYS Mechanical. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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