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 Canada
Canada's defence sector is centred on procurement and sustainment through the Department of National Defence and Defence Research and Development Canada. Industrial activity spans land vehicles, naval systems, avionics and electronics, with firms in Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Companies such as General Dynamics Land Systems Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada are notable employers, alongside a broad base of small and medium suppliers. Engineers work on systems integration, vehicle protection, logistics and sustainment, operating within strict security and export control frameworks.
Fees for Canada: C$852 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Which Canadian bodies or processes govern defence engineering recognition?
Defence engineering in Canada often involves government procurement and security clearances, and engineers typically hold provincial Professional Engineer licences where a title is required. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by a national body, so they do not confer licensing or clearance. Recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so verify this first.
Would Canadian defence or land systems employers accept this training?
Canadian defence employers and contractors generally rely on security clearance, licensing and demonstrated experience. A private qualification may support your application, but it is unlikely to replace those requirements, and its acceptance is up to each employer. A SEIUM final project can help show applied skill, so discuss expectations with prospective employers early.
Can I study remotely while working, and what are the costs and language demands?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from Canada or elsewhere without a student visa, and fit sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Teaching is in English, supported by an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be available.
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.
Related programmes
Critical Hardware Certification in Drones Course
Online 300 h course in critical hardware certification for drones. 6 modules covering DO-254 / ED-80 (airborne electronic hardware), RTCA DO-160G (environmental testing) and Altium Designer.…
Course in Ethics in Military AI Governance
Online 300 h course in ethics in military AI governance. 6 modules covering the Guiding Principles of the GEG of the CCW on lethal autonomous weapons…
EN 50126 Standards Course for Military Railways
Online 300-hour course on EN 50126 standards for military railways. 6 modules covering EN 50126-1 (railway RAMS: generic process), EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems) and ReliaSoft…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships