Course in International Law and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Online 300-hour course in international law and weapons of mass destruction. 6 modules covering the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968), the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) and Zotero. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in International Law and Weapons of Mass Destruction — 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$698 (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
Define the legal concept of a weapon of mass destruction.
Describe the nuclear non-proliferation regime and its safeguards.
Analyse the conventions on chemical and biological weapons.
Apply the European dual-use export control regime.
Design an internal compliance programme for a company.
Evaluate the national implementation of Resolution 1540.
Prepare an integrated legal analysis of a real case.
Who it's for
- Export compliance officer looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- Non-proliferation analyst looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- International legal adviser looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- Customs control officer looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- Disarmament researcher looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- Foreign trade consultant looking to specialise in international law and weapons of mass destruction.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the chemical industry.
What you'll work with
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968)
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)
- Biological Weapons Convention (1972)
- Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual-use items)
- Law 53/2007, on the control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use material
- Guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (INFCIRC/254)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Origin and limits of the term1.2Categories commonly included1.3Applicable sources of international law1.4Treaties, custom and general principles1.5Relationship with international humanitarian law1.6Role of the Security Council1.7International bodies involved1.8Legal vocabulary of disarmament1.9Documentary sources and how to consult them1.10Exercise: classifying instruments by category and subject matter
2.1The non-proliferation treaty and its three pillars2.2Obligations of States with and without nuclear weapons2.3Safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol2.4Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty2.5Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons2.6Nuclear-weapon-free zones2.7Bilateral reduction agreements2.8Physical security of material and associated conventions2.9Review conferences and their dynamics2.10Practice: analysing the obligations of a State
3.1Chemical Weapons Convention and its organisation3.2Industrial declarations and inspections3.3Destruction of stockpiles and verification3.4Attribution mechanisms and recent cases3.5Biological Weapons Convention3.6Absence of a verification body and proposals3.7Meetings of States Parties and open issues3.8Geneva Protocol of 1925 and its current validity3.9Scientific advances and pressure on the regime3.10Practice: comparing two regimes by their verification
4.1Security Council resolutions on non-proliferation4.2Obligation to adopt national legislation4.3Export control regimes4.4Control lists and dual-use items4.5Interdiction and international cooperation4.6Sanctions and their enforcement4.7Mechanisms in the event of non-compliance4.8Responsibility of the State and of the individual4.9International criminal jurisdiction4.10Practice: diagnosing a State's compliance
5.1National authority and its functions5.2Declaration obligations of industry5.3International inspections of civilian facilities5.4Compliance in universities and research centres5.5Dual-use research and its oversight5.6Awareness-raising in affected sectors5.7Protection of sensitive information5.8International cooperation and assistance5.9The future disarmament agenda5.10Practice: a compliance plan for an organisation
6.1Choice of State or industrial sector6.2Inventory of international obligations6.3Analysis of the current national framework6.4Identification of implementation gaps6.5Proposal of legislative and administrative measures6.6Awareness and training plan6.7Proposed supervision mechanisms6.8Monitoring indicators6.9Analysis report6.10Defence of the project
How you'll learn
Fully 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 programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, advanced Excel, TARIC (customs database), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real analysis procedures for an export control case, simulated classification of dual-use products, and study of verification reports. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Define the legal concept of a weapon of mass destruction.
Describe the nuclear non-proliferation regime and its safeguards.
Analyse the conventions on chemical and biological weapons.
Apply the European dual-use export control regime.
Design an internal compliance programme for a company.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient 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 between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with Zotero, NVivo, advanced Excel and TARIC (customs database). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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