Academic Regulation Course on UAV Swarms
Online 300-hour course in academic regulation of UAV swarms. 6 modules covering Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems) and ArduPilot SITL. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Academic Regulation Course on UAV Swarms — studying from Australia
Defence is one of Australia's largest engineering employers, with major programmes in land systems, naval platforms, aircraft and integrated systems managed through the Department of Defence. Land systems engineering supports armoured vehicles, weapons and logistics equipment, often through prime contractors and local industry partners. Industry involvement is strongly encouraged through the Defence industry policy framework. Engineers work on sustainment, capability development, systems integration and safety assurance, typically in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional defence precincts.
Fees for Australia: A$868 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
How does defence engineering recognition work in Australia?
Defence engineering in Australia is largely run through the Department of Defence and its industry partners, which set their own security clearance and qualification requirements. Engineers Australia is the professional body for accreditation. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which Australian employers hire in defence and land systems?
Australia has defence prime contractors, the Department of Defence, and specialist land systems firms. Many of these roles require Australian security clearances, which depend on citizenship and background checks rather than course completion. Ask employers how they weigh private qualifications against experience and clearance requirements.
Is the course manageable with a job, and does it need a visa?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. An assigned technical tutor supports you, fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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
Explain the technological fundamentals of UAV swarms.
Interpret the European civil regulation applicable to operations with multiple aircraft.
Analyse the international debates on autonomy in military systems.
Assess international humanitarian law and weapons control mechanisms.
Apply ethical and governance frameworks to academic research.
Evaluate operational risks using the SORA methodology.
Prepare a regulatory analysis of a swarm use case.
Who it's for
- UAS regulation analyst who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- Researcher in the ethics of autonomous systems who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- UAS operations technician who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- Adviser on international humanitarian law who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- U-space consultant who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- Swarm robotics researcher who wants to specialise in academic regulation of UAV swarms.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter universities and research centres.
What you'll work with
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (unmanned aircraft systems)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (U-space)
- SORA methodology (JARUS)
- Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (debate on autonomous systems)
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Art. 36
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Swarm intelligence and emergent behaviour1.2Centralised and distributed architectures1.3Consensus algorithms1.4Mesh communications between drones1.5Formation control1.6Task allocation1.7Autonomy and levels of supervision1.8Drone light shows1.9Civil applications: agriculture and search1.10Workshop: simulating a swarm with Reynolds rules
2.1Operation of multiple UAS by a single pilot2.2EASA specific category2.3SORA applied to swarms2.4Authorisations for shows2.5U-space and traffic management2.6FAA and Part 107 exemptions2.7Insurance and civil liability2.8Privacy and GDPR2.9Radio spectrum2.10Case study: authorising a 500-drone show
3.1Known programmes and state of the art3.2Doctrine and concepts of employment3.3Use of drones in the war in Ukraine3.4Counter-swarm defence3.5Command and control of autonomous systems3.6NATO interoperability3.7European research programmes3.8Strategic implications3.9Proliferation to non-state actors3.10Case study: analysis of a mass drone attack
4.1Applicable international humanitarian law4.2Distinction and proportionality with swarms4.3Article 36 weapons review4.4CCW debate on LAWS4.5Swarms as possible weapons of mass destruction4.6Meaningful human control4.7Missile Technology Control Regime4.8Wassenaar Arrangement4.9Proposals for binding instruments4.10Workshop: legal review of a swarm system
5.1Research ethics in autonomy5.2Dual-use research in universities5.3Ethics committees and defence funding5.4Responsible publication of algorithms5.5NATO principles for responsible AI5.6Civil society positions5.7Responsibility and chain of command5.8Future scenarios5.9Public policy recommendations5.10Case study: a university ethics committee ruling
6.1Selection of the swarm case6.2Technical description of the system6.3Applicable civil framework6.4Applicable international framework6.5Analysis of regulatory gaps6.6Ethical risks6.7Regulatory proposal6.8Conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
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 the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ArduPilot SITL, Gazebo, ROS 2, QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real swarm coordination simulation procedures, SORA operational risk analysis and regulatory case studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the technological fundamentals of UAV swarms.
Interpret the European civil regulation applicable to operations with multiple aircraft.
Analyse the international debates on autonomy in military systems.
Assess international humanitarian law and weapons control mechanisms.
Apply ethical and governance frameworks to academic research.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
- Sufficient command 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses ArduPilot SITL, Gazebo, ROS 2 and QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM on passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please consult the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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