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Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors. 8 modules covering UNECE Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting devices), UNECE Regulation No. 112 (passing and driving beam headlamps) and DIALux. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Postgraduate Diploma in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors — 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: 17,600 R (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in South Africa

  • Vintage Sports Car Club of South Africa
  • South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
  • National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA)

Typical roles

  • Classic Vehicle Restorer
  • Restoration Engineer
  • Vintage Engine Specialist
  • Heritage Conservation Specialist

Questions from South Africa

Do I need to speak a language other than English?

No. All SEIUM Institute programmes are taught in English, which is the main language of most South African engineering workplaces and professional registration processes.

Are SEIUM Institute programmes recognised by ECSA?

SEIUM Institute's programmes are its own private qualifications and are not official state degrees. The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) decides on professional registration, so please check directly with ECSA how your studies and experience will be assessed.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the historical evolution of automotive lighting.

02

Apply optics and photometry concepts to headlamps and tail lights.

03

Restore reflectors through cleaning and metallising.

04

Recover glass, lamp covers and housings while respecting their original design.

05

Select lamps and adapt the electrical installation safely.

06

Verify regulatory compliance and align headlamps correctly.

07

Prepare a restoration project for the lighting system.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Restorer of classic lighting systems who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Automotive electrical technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Photometry technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Reflector metallising technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Historic vehicle inspector who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Reproduction parts technician who wants to specialise in Classic Lighting: Optics and Reflectors.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences who want to enter the restoration of classic vehicles.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • UNECE Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting devices)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 112 (passing and driving beam headlamps)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 37 (incandescent lamps)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 6 (direction indicator lamps)
  • Royal Decree 892/2013 (Historic Vehicles Regulation)
  • Royal Decree 920/2017 (technical vehicle inspection)
  • CIE 15 (colorimetry)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Acetylene and Oil Headlamps 1.2 First Electric Lamps 1.3 American Sealed Beam Headlamps 1.4 European and Asymmetric Optics 1.5 Bilux and Halogen Lamps 1.6 Evolution of Tail Lights and Signaling 1.7 Historic Manufacturers: Lucas, Marchal, Bosch, Cibié 1.8 Identifying Optics by Period 1.9 Heritage Value of Optics 1.10 Case Study: Dating a Classic Headlamp
  1. 2.1Specular and diffuse reflection
  2. 2.2Parabolic and ellipsoidal reflectors
  3. 2.3Fresnel lenses and cut patterns
  4. 2.4Photometric beam distribution
  5. 2.5Asymmetric cut-off and glare
  6. 2.6Intensity, flux and illuminance
  7. 2.7Colour temperature
  8. 2.8Goniophotometry
  9. 2.9Influence of deterioration on performance
  10. 2.10Laboratory: measuring the illuminance of a headlamp
  1. 3.1Silvering, aluminising and vacuum metallising
  2. 3.2Reflector degradation
  3. 3.3Cleaning without damaging the surface
  4. 3.4PVD re-aluminising
  5. 3.5Repairing brass reflectors
  6. 3.6Gaskets and reflector sealing
  7. 3.7Reflectivity tests
  8. 3.8Risks of incorrect restorations
  9. 3.9Specialist suppliers
  10. 3.10Practice: assessing the condition of a reflector
  1. 4.1Cut glass and its optical function
  2. 4.2Glass reproduction
  3. 4.3Polishing scratches in glass
  4. 4.4Chrome-plated steel housings
  5. 4.5Rims and trim rings
  6. 4.6Plastic tail lights and their ageing
  7. 4.7Polishing and restoring polycarbonate
  8. 4.8Rubber seals and watertightness
  9. 4.9Assembly and disassembly of optics
  10. 4.10Workshop: restoring a headlamp housing
  1. 5.1Period incandescent lamps
  2. 5.2H4 halogen lamps and conversions
  3. 5.3LED retrofit and approval
  4. 5.4Lamp holders and contacts
  5. 5.5Period wiring and reproduction
  6. 5.6Relays for classic headlamps
  7. 5.76 V and 12 V systems
  8. 5.8Dynamos and power supply
  9. 5.9Regulators and overvoltage
  10. 5.10Practice: diagnosing a 6 V lighting circuit
  1. 6.1Lighting and signalling regulations
  2. 6.2UNECE Regulations R48, R112 and R98
  3. 6.3Requirements for historic vehicles
  4. 6.4Left-hand traffic headlamps
  5. 6.5Headlamp aiming and height
  6. 6.6Technical inspection of lighting
  7. 6.7LED conversions and legality
  8. 6.8Mandatory additional signalling
  9. 6.9Type approval documentation
  10. 6.10Case study: adapting the headlamps of a British classic
  1. 7.1The regloscope and its use
  2. 7.2Aiming in the workshop and on a screen
  3. 7.3Correcting tilt
  4. 7.4Verifying tail lights and signalling
  5. 7.5Measuring intensity
  6. 7.6Watertightness testing
  7. 7.7Night-time road tests
  8. 7.8Recording results
  9. 7.9Periodic maintenance
  10. 7.10Workshop: aiming headlamps with a regloscope
  1. 8.1Vehicle selection
  2. 8.2Inventory of optics
  3. 8.3Initial diagnosis and photometry
  4. 8.4Reflector restoration plan
  5. 8.5Glass, housings and seals
  6. 8.6Lighting electrical system
  7. 8.7Regulatory verification
  8. 8.8Budget
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is DIALux, LightTools, SolidWorks, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real regloscope procedures for headlamp aiming, bench photometric measurement and reflector re-metallising. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven final project (TFM):safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle selection

Describe the historical evolution of automotive lighting.

Inventory of optics

Apply optics and photometry concepts to headlamps and tail lights.

Initial diagnosis and photometry

Restore reflectors through cleaning and metallising.

Reflector restoration plan

Recover glass, lamp covers and housings while respecting their original design.

Glass, housings and seals

Select lamps and adapt the electrical installation safely.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Restorer of classic lighting systemsAutomotive electrical technicianPhotometry technicianReflector metallising technicianHistoric vehicle inspectorReproduction parts technician
Admissions & scholarships

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 follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.

You will work with DIALux, LightTools, SolidWorks and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

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