Master’s in Wooden and Composite Bodywork Engineering — Woodies, Period Buses/Cars, Adhesives and Joints
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in wooden and composite coachwork engineering — woodies, vintage buses and cars, adhesives and joints. 12 modules covering wood science, frame diagnosis, coachbuilding joinery, structural adhesives, wood-metal joints, finishes, structural analysis and historic-vehicle regulations, 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
Identify the types and periods of wooden and composite coachwork.
Select wood species according to their mechanical and hygroscopic behaviour.
Diagnose damage in frames using non-destructive techniques.
Design compatible, durable wood-metal joints.
Choose adhesives and finishes according to durability and reversibility.
Apply historic-vehicle regulations and FIVA criteria.
Plan and budget a complete coachwork restoration.
Who it's for
- Wooden coachwork restorers
- Specialist coachbuilding joiners
- Classic-vehicle workshop technicians
- Historic-vehicle valuers and assessors
- Curators of automotive collections
- Historic-vehicle cataloguing consultants
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic-vehicle restoration
What you'll work with
- Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos (Spanish Historic Vehicles Regulation)
- FIVA Charter of Turin (2013) (international guidelines for the preservation of historic vehicles)
- UNE-EN 204 (classification of adhesives for wood)
- UNE-EN 205 (shear test of glued joints)
- UNE-EN 1995-1-1 (Eurocode 5) (design of timber structures)
- BS 1088 (marine plywood)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (deforestation-free products)
- Regulation (EC) 338/97 (trade in wild species (CITES))
- Rhinoceros 3D
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- Agisoft Metashape
- SolidWorks
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Traditional coachbuilding and coachbuilding schools1.2Post-war American woody wagons1.3British shooting brakes and the Morris Traveller1.4Buses and coaches with composite bodywork1.5Wooden frame with steel skin1.6Ash frame with aluminium panels1.7Dating by construction techniques1.8Archives, catalogues and original drawings1.9Authenticity and originality criteria1.10Case study: dating an ash-framed body
2.1Anatomy: grain, growth rings and wood rays2.2Coachbuilding species: ash, beech, maple and mahogany2.3Moisture content and hygroscopic equilibrium2.4Shrinkage, swelling and anisotropy2.5Mechanical properties in bending and compression2.6Natural defects and visual grading2.7Natural durability against fungi and insects2.8Air drying and kiln drying2.9Selecting boards for curved parts2.10Laboratory: measuring moisture content and density
3.1Visual and percussion inspection3.2Brown, white and cubical rot3.3Resistography and penetration profiles3.4Ultrasonic testing of structural timber3.5Corrosion of embedded fixings3.6Damage mapping and condition records3.7Photogrammetry of deformations3.8Deciding whether to consolidate, repair or replace3.9Diagnostic report for the owner3.10Case study: diagnosing a Morris Traveller
4.1Templates and gauges from original parts4.2Steam bending of ash4.3Glue-laminating curved parts4.4Mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joints4.5CNC machining of replicas4.6Fitting doors and tailgates4.7Dimensional tolerances and clearances4.8Hand tools versus machining4.9Safety in the joinery workshop4.10Workshop: glue-laminated curved pillar
5.1PVAc, urea-formaldehyde and resorcinol glues5.2Structural epoxies and consolidants5.3One-component polyurethane adhesives5.4Animal glues and reversibility5.5Surface preparation and open time5.6Durability classes D1 to D45.7Behaviour under moisture and heat5.8Compatibility with varnishes and finishes5.9Selection according to part and authenticity5.10Laboratory: shear testing of glued joints
6.1Traditional brass and steel fasteners6.2Threaded inserts in hardwood6.3Brackets and reinforcing fittings6.4Galvanic couples and insulation6.5Differential expansion between wood and steel6.6Fixing sheet metal to a wooden frame6.7Rivets and aluminium joints6.8Sealing joints against water6.9Joint design to Eurocode 56.10Practical: insulated ash-aluminium joint
7.1Mahogany panels and marine plywood7.2Plywood to BS 10887.3Aluminium sheet over a frame7.4Forming with the English wheel and hammer7.5Panelling of vintage buses7.6Replacing old fibreboard panels7.7Trimming of roofs and side panels7.8Mouldings and decorative beading7.9Weatherproofing canvas roofs7.10Workshop: panelling a woody tailgate
8.1Marine varnishes and tung oil8.2Aliphatic polyurethanes with UV filter8.3Fungicidal and insecticidal treatments8.4Preparation and sanding between coats8.5Film thickness and gloss level8.6Preventive maintenance of the finish8.7Original patina versus new finish8.8Volatile organic compounds and their control8.9Finishes for associated fittings8.10Practical: multi-coat varnishing system
9.1Torsional stiffness of composite bodies9.2Finite element analysis of wooden frames9.3Impact behaviour9.4Seat-belt anchorages in wooden structures9.5Vibration fatigue of joints9.6Concealed, non-invasive reinforcements9.7Wood variability and safety factors9.8Strength of bus bodywork9.9Strain gauges in validation9.10Case study: reinforcing seat-belt anchorages
10.1Historic Vehicles Regulation10.2Vehicle modifications manual10.3FIVA Charter of Turin10.4FIVA Identity Card10.5Protected timbers and CITES10.6European Deforestation Regulation10.7Documenting interventions10.8Valuation and insurance of classic vehicles10.9Import and export of vehicles10.10Case study: cataloguing file for a woody
11.1Budget and joinery hours11.2Planning by phases and milestones11.3Suppliers of FSC- and PEFC-certified timber11.4Photographic traceability of the process11.5Relationship with the collector client11.6Concours d'elegance and judging criteria11.7Stage-by-stage quality control11.8Most common hidden costs11.9Handover and maintenance manual11.10Case study: restoration plan for a vintage coach
12.1Choice of vehicle and scope12.2Historical and documentary research12.3Comprehensive diagnosis of the frame12.4Proposal of timbers and adhesives12.5Design of joints and reinforcements12.6Parts manufacturing plan12.7Validation and quality control12.8Regulatory and heritage file12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme 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 it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Rhinoceros 3D, Autodesk Fusion 360, Agisoft Metashape and SolidWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: workshop diagnosis of ash frames, shear tests on glued joints and restoration of vintage coaches. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Real Decreto 892/2013, Reglamento de Vehículos Históricos; FIVA Charter of Turin (2013); UNE-EN 204; UNE-EN 205; UNE-EN 1995-1-1 (Eurocode 5); BS 1088; Regulation (EU) 2023/1115; Regulation (EC) 338/97.
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 proven 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 Rhinoceros 3D, Autodesk Fusion 360, Agisoft Metashape and SolidWorks, 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), a computer able to run the software 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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