Diploma in Testing, Commissioning and Certification
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in testing, commissioning and certification for railway systems. 8 modules covering the V-cycle, FAT/SAT, signalling tests, rolling stock commissioning, the common safety method, EC verification and trial running, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Testing, Commissioning and Certification — studying from Australia
Australia's infrastructure pipeline is substantial, covering roads, rail, ports, water and urban development across major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Rail engineering is especially active, with projects including Sydney Metro and Melbourne Metro. Smart city initiatives draw on sensors, data platforms and digital twins to improve transport, utilities and public services. Employers include state transport authorities, engineering consultancies such as Aurecon and WSP, and major contractors. Engineers work on design, asset management, construction oversight and sustainability.
Fees for Australia: A$1,420 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification meet Australian civil engineering registration requirements?
No. Civil engineers in Australia typically need an Engineers Australia accredited degree to pursue Chartered status, and state and territory rail and infrastructure regulators set their own requirements. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so employers or regulators decide how much weight they carry.
Which Australian employers hire in civil, rail and smart cities?
Australia has public infrastructure agencies, rail operators, engineering consultancies and councils working on urban and smart city projects. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. Ask potential employers whether a private online qualification would be considered alongside your experience.
Is the course workable alongside work, and what does it cost?
The courses are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship may be possible, and you will have 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
Plan verification and validation in railway projects.
Design and carry out factory and site tests.
Test train signalling and control systems.
Manage the commissioning of rolling stock.
Apply the common safety method and safety cases.
Prepare verification and interoperability files.
Coordinate trial running and handover to operations.
Who it's for
- Test and commissioning engineers taking on larger railway projects.
- Verification and validation engineers working on rail systems.
- RAMS engineers who need a stronger grasp of testing and certification.
- Railway certification technicians.
- Safety assessors.
- Systems integration managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter high-speed rail.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN 50126-1 (railway RAMS life cycle)
- UNE-EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems for signalling)
- Directive (EU) 2016/797 (railway interoperability)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 402/2013 (common safety method for risk assessment)
- UNE-EN 50716 (railway software)
- UNE-EN 50121 (railway electromagnetic compatibility)
- Directive (EU) 2016/798 (railway safety)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/545 (vehicle authorisation arrangements)
- IBM DOORS
- Polarion
- Jama Connect
- Primavera P6
8 modules
1.1The EN 50126 V-cycle1.2Project RAMS management1.3Verification and validation phases1.4Test and commissioning plan1.5Roles: NoBo, DeBo and AsBo1.6Independent Safety Assessor (ISA)1.7European Union Agency for Railways1.8National railway safety authority (AESF, Spain)1.9Document management of the technical file1.10Case study: test schedule for a new line
2.1First article inspections2.2Type and routine tests2.3Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)2.4Site Acceptance Test (SAT)2.5Track and overhead line tests2.6Power subsystem tests2.7Station equipment tests2.8Non-conformity register2.9Traceability from requirements to tests2.10Practical exercise: FAT protocol for interlocking equipment
3.1Electronic interlockings3.2Route table testing3.3ERTMS/ETCS levels 1 and 23.4Balise and RBC testing3.5CBTC in metros3.6Interoperability testing3.7Integration laboratories3.8Dynamic on-track testing3.9Software version management3.10Lab: test cases for an interlocking
4.1Static train tests4.2Dynamic and braking tests4.3Electromagnetic compatibility EN 501214.4Pantograph–overhead line interaction4.5Comfort and noise tests4.6Compatibility with track circuits4.7Vehicle type authorisation4.8Reliability tests and trial running4.9Vehicle registration4.10Case study: dynamic test plan for a train unit
5.1Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 402/20135.2Assessment of the significance of change5.3Codes of practice and reference systems5.4Explicit risk estimation5.5Hazard log5.6Safety cases according to EN 501295.7Railway software EN 507165.8Safety assessor report5.9Management of export conditions5.10Workshop: hazard log for a modification
6.1Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI)6.2Directive (EU) 2016/7976.3EC certificates of verification6.4National technical rules6.5Authorisation for placing subsystems in service6.6Technical file6.7European one-stop shop6.8Designated bodies in Spain6.9RINF and ERATV registers6.10Practical exercise: structure of an EC verification file
7.1System integration testing7.2Emergency drills7.3Trial running with real timetables7.4Training of drivers and maintainers7.5Documentation handover7.6Initial availability indicators7.7Management of reservations and punch list7.8Acceptance of the works7.9Warranties and latent defects7.10Case study: trial running plan for a light metro
8.1System description8.2Verification strategy8.3Test plan by subsystem8.4Safety plan8.5Certification route8.6Integrated schedule8.7Risk management8.8Handover plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IBM DOORS, Polarion, Jama Connect and Primavera P6, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for factory acceptance tests, dynamic on-track tests and trial running. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: UNE-EN 50126-1, UNE-EN 50129, Directive (EU) 2016/797, Implementing Regulation (EU) 402/2013, UNE-EN 50716, UNE-EN 50121, Directive (EU) 2016/798, Regulation (EU) 2018/545.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with IBM DOORS, Polarion, Jama Connect and Primavera P6, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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