Master’s in Documentation, Authenticity & Market Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in documentation, authenticity and market engineering for historic vehicles, structured in 12 modules covering heritage value, documentary sources, technical identification, authenticity and fraud, historical dossiers, certification, valuation, the classic market, legal and tax aspects, insurance and communication, with an assigned technical tutor.
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 heritage value of the historic vehicle.
Research primary documentary sources.
Technically identify vehicles and components.
Detect alterations and fraud.
Compile professional historical dossiers.
Value vehicles using recognised methods.
Manage legal, tax and insurance aspects.
Who it's for
- Classic vehicle authenticity experts
- Historic vehicle valuers
- Automotive heritage documentalists
- Advisers to collectors
- Auction specialists
- Historic vehicle assessors
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into collecting
What you'll work with
- FIVA Turin Charter (guidelines for the use and preservation of historic vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (technical identification of historic vehicles)
- Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
- Directive 2006/112/EC (common system of VAT)
- ISO 3779 (vehicle identification number)
- International Valuation Standards (IVS) (valuation practice)
- Ley 10/2010 (Spanish anti-money laundering law)
- Regulation (EU) 952/2013 (Union Customs Code)
- Adobe Lightroom
- Zotero
- Microsoft Excel
- Hagerty Valuation Tools
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The concept of a historic vehicle1.2Heritage, technical and cultural value1.3FIVA and its international role1.4The Turin Charter1.5Originality, authenticity and integrity1.6Conservation versus restoration1.7Collecting and the market1.8Institutions and museums1.9Clubs and marque registers1.10Case study: heritage analysis of a vehicle
2.1Manufacturer archives2.2Production certificates2.3Registration records2.4Import documentation2.5Catalogues and brochures2.6Newspaper archives and historical press2.7Period photography2.8Collecting oral testimonies2.9Competition archives2.10Workshop: archive search for a vehicle
3.1Chassis numbers3.2Engine numbers3.3Identification plates3.4Paint and trim codes3.5Component dates3.6Casting marks3.7Identifying coachwork3.8Production variations3.9Register databases3.10Practical exercise: verifying a vehicle's numbers
4.1Types of forgery4.2Chassis cloning4.3Rebuilds presented as originals4.4Fabricated histories and how to detect them4.5Detecting alterations4.6Forensic analysis of plates4.7Technical authenticity appraisal4.8Known fraud cases4.9Prevention and control measures4.10Case study: detecting a re-stamped number
5.1Structure of the dossier5.2Chain of ownership5.3Restoration history5.4Competition history5.5Photographic documentation of the process5.6Inclusion of technical reports5.7Certificates and their value5.8Professional presentation of the dossier5.9Digitisation of documentation5.10Workshop: compiling a historical dossier
6.1FIVA ID Card6.2Marque club certificates6.3Manufacturer certifications6.4Manufacturer heritage certificates6.5Model registers6.6Historic technical passport6.7Classification as a historic vehicle in Spain6.8Authenticity inspections6.9International recognition of certificates6.10Practical exercise: applying for a FIVA ID Card
7.1Valuation methods7.2Value factors7.3Condition and rating scales7.4Provenance and history7.5Rarity and production numbers7.6Market comparables7.7Price indices7.8Valuation report7.9Valuation for insurance7.10Case study: valuation of a 1960s sports car
8.1Market structure8.2Leading international auctions8.3Specialist classic dealers8.4Private sales between collectors8.5Online sales platforms8.6Price trends8.7Influence of macroeconomic factors8.8Generations of collectors8.9Market risks8.10Workshop: analysis of auction results
9.1Buying and selling classics9.2Import and export9.3Historic registration procedures9.4Taxation of collections9.5VAT and the collectors' items scheme9.6Heritage protection9.7Anti-money laundering9.8Consignment contracts9.9Dispute resolution9.10Practical exercise: sale and purchase contract for a classic
10.1Classic vehicle insurance10.2Agreed value policies10.3Storage risks10.4Transport risks10.5Event risks10.6Theft and recovery10.7Claims management10.8Prevention and control measures10.9Collection management10.10Case study: policy for a collection
11.1Concours d'elegance11.2Specialist motoring publications11.3Professional vehicle photography11.4Taking part in exhibitions11.5Social media communication11.6Heritage outreach11.7Ethics of communication11.8Media relations11.9The expert's personal brand11.10Workshop: communication plan for a unique vehicle
12.1Selecting the vehicle12.2Documentary research on the vehicle12.3Technical identification of components12.4Authenticity assessment12.5Compiling the historical dossier12.6Market valuation12.7Management recommendations12.8Conclusions 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 Adobe Lightroom, Zotero, Microsoft Excel and Hagerty Valuation Tools, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for chassis and engine number verification, compiling historical dossiers and valuing classic vehicles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: FIVA Turin Charter, FIVA Technical Code, Real Decreto 892/2013, Directive 2006/112/EC, ISO 3779, International Valuation Standards (IVS), Ley 10/2010 on the prevention of money laundering, Regulation (EU) 952/2013.
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 Adobe Lightroom, Zotero, Microsoft Excel and Hagerty Valuation Tools, 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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