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Master'sNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies Applications open

Master’s in Safeguards, Accountancy and Non-Proliferation Engineering (IAEA)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in safeguards, nuclear material accounting and non-proliferation engineering (IAEA). 12 modules covering the international safeguards system, nuclear material accounting and control, non-destructive and destructive assay, containment and surveillance, inspections, the State-level approach, safeguards by design and the non-proliferation regime, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the international safeguards system.

02

Classify nuclear materials and fuel cycle stages.

03

Apply nuclear material accounting and control.

04

Use destructive and non-destructive measurement techniques.

05

Plan inspection and verification activities.

06

Apply the State-level approach.

07

Integrate safeguards into the design of new facilities.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Safeguards inspectors.
  • Nuclear material accountancy specialists.
  • Non-proliferation analysts.
  • Non-destructive assay technicians.
  • Satellite imagery analysts.
  • Nuclear policy advisers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join international organisations.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • INFCIRC/153 (comprehensive safeguards agreements)
  • INFCIRC/540 (Model Additional Protocol)
  • Regulation (Euratom) 302/2005 (application of Euratom safeguards)
  • Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
  • IAEA Safeguards Glossary (reference terminology for safeguards)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
  • IAEA Services Series 15 – ISSAS (advisory service on State systems of accounting and control)
  • FRAM
  • Genie 2000
  • Python
  • QGIS
  • Google Earth Pro
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Origins of safeguards: Atoms for Peace
  2. 1.2The IAEA Statute and its mandate
  3. 1.3INFCIRC/66 and INFCIRC/153
  4. 1.4The Additional Protocol INFCIRC/540
  5. 1.5Small quantities protocols
  6. 1.6Euratom safeguards: Regulation 302/2005
  7. 1.7Regional systems: ABACC
  8. 1.8Safeguards conclusions
  9. 1.9The annual implementation report
  10. 1.10Case study: reading the Safeguards Implementation Report
  1. 2.1Uranium, plutonium and thorium
  2. 2.2Material categories: direct and indirect use
  3. 2.3Significant quantity and conversion time
  4. 2.4Stages of the fuel cycle
  5. 2.5Enrichment: safeguards aspects
  6. 2.6Fuel fabrication
  7. 2.7Reactors and spent fuel
  8. 2.8Reprocessing: safeguards aspects
  9. 2.9Geological repositories
  10. 2.10Practical: classifying materials by category
  1. 3.1State system of accounting and control (SSAC)
  2. 3.2Material balance areas
  3. 3.3Key measurement points
  4. 3.4Inventory change reports
  5. 3.5Physical and book inventory
  6. 3.6Material unaccounted for (MUF)
  7. 3.7Measurement errors and their propagation
  8. 3.8Statistical tests of MUF
  9. 3.9Near-real-time accountancy
  10. 3.10Lab: calculating MUF and its uncertainty in Python
  1. 4.1High-resolution gamma spectrometry
  2. 4.2Enrichment determination
  3. 4.3Plutonium isotopics with FRAM
  4. 4.4Neutron coincidence counting
  5. 4.5Neutron multiplicity
  6. 4.6Calorimetry
  7. 4.7Spent fuel measurements
  8. 4.8The DCVD Cherenkov viewing device
  9. 4.9Calibration and standards
  10. 4.10Practical: analysis of a uranium gamma spectrum
  1. 5.1Sampling for destructive analysis
  2. 5.2TIMS mass spectrometry
  3. 5.3ICP-MS for isotopics
  4. 5.4Environmental swipe sampling
  5. 5.5Particle analysis
  6. 5.6The IAEA network of analytical laboratories
  7. 5.7Chain of custody
  8. 5.8Interpretation of results
  9. 5.9Nuclear forensics: an introduction
  10. 5.10Case study: interpreting environmental sampling results
  1. 6.1Metal and electronic seals
  2. 6.2Camera surveillance systems
  3. 6.3Remote monitoring
  4. 6.4Secure data transmission
  5. 6.5Tamper detection
  6. 6.6Image review
  7. 6.7Systems integration
  8. 6.8Equipment reliability
  9. 6.9New verification technologies
  10. 6.10Lab: analysis of simulated surveillance data
  1. 7.1Types of inspection: ad hoc, routine and special
  2. 7.2Design information verification
  3. 7.3Unannounced inspections
  4. 7.4Complementary access
  5. 7.5Inspection planning
  6. 7.6On-site activities
  7. 7.7Inspection reports
  8. 7.8Discrepancies and anomalies
  9. 7.9Resolution of inconsistencies
  10. 7.10Workshop: planning an inspection at a fuel fabrication plant
  1. 8.1The State-Level Approach concept
  2. 8.2Acquisition path analysis
  3. 8.3Technical objectives
  4. 8.4Information evaluation
  5. 8.5Open-source information
  6. 8.6Satellite imagery
  7. 8.7Trade analysis
  8. 8.8Consistency assessment
  9. 8.9Annual planning
  10. 8.10Practical: simplified acquisition path analysis
  1. 9.1The Safeguards by Design concept
  2. 9.2Integration into new facilities
  3. 9.3Safeguards for SMRs
  4. 9.4Pebble-bed and molten salt reactors
  5. 9.5Geological repositories
  6. 9.6Modern reprocessing facilities
  7. 9.7Dialogue with designers
  8. 9.8IAEA guidance
  9. 9.9Costs and benefits
  10. 9.10Case study: safeguards requirements for an SMR
  1. 10.1The Non-Proliferation Treaty
  2. 10.2Review Conferences
  3. 10.3The Nuclear Suppliers Group
  4. 10.4Export control
  5. 10.5Resolution 1540
  6. 10.6Nuclear-weapon-free zones
  7. 10.7Historical cases: Iraq, North Korea, Libya and Iran
  8. 10.8Disarmament verification
  9. 10.9The TPNW Treaty
  10. 10.10Workshop: technical analysis of a historical case
  1. 11.1Organisation of the Department of Safeguards
  2. 11.2IAEA funding
  3. 11.3Member State support programmes
  4. 11.4Inspector training
  5. 11.5Data analytics and machine learning
  6. 11.6Blockchain in nuclear accounting
  7. 11.7Challenges of new technologies
  8. 11.8Cooperation with industry
  9. 11.9The future of safeguards
  10. 11.10Practical: proposal for a technological improvement
  1. 12.1Selection of the facility or case
  2. 12.2Analysis of the cycle and materials
  3. 12.3Design of the accounting system
  4. 12.4Selection of measurement techniques
  5. 12.5Acquisition path analysis
  6. 12.6Proposed verification approach
  7. 12.7Critical assessment
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is FRAM, Genie 2000, Python, QGIS and Google Earth Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for material balance and MUF calculation, gamma spectrometry of nuclear materials, and acquisition path analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: INFCIRC/153 (comprehensive safeguards agreements), INFCIRC/540 (Additional Protocol), Regulation (Euratom) 302/2005, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, IAEA Safeguards Glossary, ISO/IEC 17025, IAEA Services Series 15 (ISSAS).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of INFCIRC/153, INFCIRC/540 and Regulation (Euratom) 302/2005 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:FRAM, Genie 2000, Python, QGIS and Google Earth Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A safeguards approach for a nuclear facility covering the accounting system, measurement techniques, acquisition path analysis and verification approach, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

MUF calculation
Calculate material unaccounted for and its uncertainty in Python.
Gamma spectrum analysis
Analyse a uranium gamma spectrum to determine enrichment.
Inspection planning
Plan a safeguards inspection at a fuel fabrication plant.
Acquisition path analysis
Carry out a simplified acquisition path analysis using open-source and satellite information.
Master's Thesis
Design a complete safeguards approach for a nuclear facility, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Safeguards inspectorNuclear material accountancy specialistNon-proliferation analystNon-destructive assay technicianSatellite imagery analystNuclear policy adviser
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run 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.

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FAQ

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 FRAM, Genie 2000, Python, QGIS and Google Earth Pro, 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 programme 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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