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.
Master’s in Safeguards, Accountancy and Non-Proliferation Engineering (IAEA) — studying from Australia
Australia does not operate nuclear power plants, but nuclear science and technology play important roles in research, medicine, mining and regulation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates research reactors and produces radiopharmaceuticals, while uranium mining is conducted in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nuclear engineering skills support regulatory oversight, radiation safety and decommissioning activities. Employers include ANSTO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, mining companies and specialist consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$15,800 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does this programme meet Australian nuclear licensing or regulatory requirements?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private and are not accredited by any national body. Nuclear activities in Australia are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and related authorities, which set their own competency requirements. Check directly with the regulator and your employer about any qualifications needed for a specific role.
Which Australian organisations might consider this training for nuclear-related roles?
Australian employers in this area include research organisations, radiation protection services, mining and resources companies, and consultancies working on nuclear-related projects. Hiring depends on each organisation's requirements and on security and licensing needs. A private qualification is unlikely to be sufficient alone, so combine it with relevant experience.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and how is it funded?
The programmes are delivered entirely online in English with an assigned technical tutor, allowing study from Australia around work commitments. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Review the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan carefully.
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 international safeguards system.
Classify nuclear materials and fuel cycle stages.
Apply nuclear material accounting and control.
Use destructive and non-destructive measurement techniques.
Plan inspection and verification activities.
Apply the State-level approach.
Integrate safeguards into the design of new facilities.
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.
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
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Origins of safeguards: Atoms for Peace1.2The IAEA Statute and its mandate1.3INFCIRC/66 and INFCIRC/1531.4The Additional Protocol INFCIRC/5401.5Small quantities protocols1.6Euratom safeguards: Regulation 302/20051.7Regional systems: ABACC1.8Safeguards conclusions1.9The annual implementation report1.10Case study: reading the Safeguards Implementation Report
2.1Uranium, plutonium and thorium2.2Material categories: direct and indirect use2.3Significant quantity and conversion time2.4Stages of the fuel cycle2.5Enrichment: safeguards aspects2.6Fuel fabrication2.7Reactors and spent fuel2.8Reprocessing: safeguards aspects2.9Geological repositories2.10Practical: classifying materials by category
3.1State system of accounting and control (SSAC)3.2Material balance areas3.3Key measurement points3.4Inventory change reports3.5Physical and book inventory3.6Material unaccounted for (MUF)3.7Measurement errors and their propagation3.8Statistical tests of MUF3.9Near-real-time accountancy3.10Lab: calculating MUF and its uncertainty in Python
4.1High-resolution gamma spectrometry4.2Enrichment determination4.3Plutonium isotopics with FRAM4.4Neutron coincidence counting4.5Neutron multiplicity4.6Calorimetry4.7Spent fuel measurements4.8The DCVD Cherenkov viewing device4.9Calibration and standards4.10Practical: analysis of a uranium gamma spectrum
5.1Sampling for destructive analysis5.2TIMS mass spectrometry5.3ICP-MS for isotopics5.4Environmental swipe sampling5.5Particle analysis5.6The IAEA network of analytical laboratories5.7Chain of custody5.8Interpretation of results5.9Nuclear forensics: an introduction5.10Case study: interpreting environmental sampling results
6.1Metal and electronic seals6.2Camera surveillance systems6.3Remote monitoring6.4Secure data transmission6.5Tamper detection6.6Image review6.7Systems integration6.8Equipment reliability6.9New verification technologies6.10Lab: analysis of simulated surveillance data
7.1Types of inspection: ad hoc, routine and special7.2Design information verification7.3Unannounced inspections7.4Complementary access7.5Inspection planning7.6On-site activities7.7Inspection reports7.8Discrepancies and anomalies7.9Resolution of inconsistencies7.10Workshop: planning an inspection at a fuel fabrication plant
8.1The State-Level Approach concept8.2Acquisition path analysis8.3Technical objectives8.4Information evaluation8.5Open-source information8.6Satellite imagery8.7Trade analysis8.8Consistency assessment8.9Annual planning8.10Practical: simplified acquisition path analysis
9.1The Safeguards by Design concept9.2Integration into new facilities9.3Safeguards for SMRs9.4Pebble-bed and molten salt reactors9.5Geological repositories9.6Modern reprocessing facilities9.7Dialogue with designers9.8IAEA guidance9.9Costs and benefits9.10Case study: safeguards requirements for an SMR
10.1The Non-Proliferation Treaty10.2Review Conferences10.3The Nuclear Suppliers Group10.4Export control10.5Resolution 154010.6Nuclear-weapon-free zones10.7Historical cases: Iraq, North Korea, Libya and Iran10.8Disarmament verification10.9The TPNW Treaty10.10Workshop: technical analysis of a historical case
11.1Organisation of the Department of Safeguards11.2IAEA funding11.3Member State support programmes11.4Inspector training11.5Data analytics and machine learning11.6Blockchain in nuclear accounting11.7Challenges of new technologies11.8Cooperation with industry11.9The future of safeguards11.10Practical: proposal for a technological improvement
12.1Selection of the facility or case12.2Analysis of the cycle and materials12.3Design of the accounting system12.4Selection of measurement techniques12.5Acquisition path analysis12.6Proposed verification approach12.7Critical assessment12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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).
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 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 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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