Diploma in Welding Processes in Nuclear Environments
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in welding processes in nuclear environments. 8 modules covering welding processes, procedure qualification to ASME IX, repair in radiological environments, residual stresses, NDT and nuclear quality management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Welding Processes in Nuclear Environments — 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$1,700 (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
Understand the requirements for welding in the nuclear industry.
Select the appropriate welding processes for each component.
Qualify procedures and welders to ASME IX.
Plan repairs in radiological environments.
Control residual stresses and heat treatments.
Apply inspection techniques and acceptance criteria.
Manage quality in line with nuclear regulations.
Who it's for
- Nuclear welding engineers looking to deepen their expertise in nuclear welding processes.
- Welding inspectors working on nuclear components.
- NDT specialists in the nuclear and equipment manufacturing sectors.
- Nuclear quality managers responsible for welding activities.
- Outage maintenance technicians involved in repairs.
- Materials engineers interested in welding metallurgy.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ASME BPVC Section IX (welding qualification)
- ASME BPVC Section III (nuclear components)
- ASME NQA-1 (nuclear quality assurance)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix B (quality criteria)
- ISO 15614-1 (procedure qualification)
- ISO 9606-1 (welder qualification)
- ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection)
- SYSWELD
- Simufact Welding
- Abaqus
- CIVA
- ANSYS Mechanical
8 modules
1.1Nuclear quality requirements1.2Welded components in power plants1.3Materials: carbon and stainless steels1.4Nickel alloys 690 and 521.5Dissimilar metal welds1.6Welding metallurgy1.7Heat-affected zone1.8Typical defects1.9Operating experience1.10Case study: failures in Alloy 600 welds
2.1Orbital TIG welding2.2Submerged arc welding2.3MIG/MAG welding2.4Electron beam welding2.5Laser welding2.6Overlays and cladding2.7Friction welding2.8Automation and robotics2.9Process selection2.10Lab: orbital TIG welding parameters
3.1ASME Section IX3.2Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)3.3Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)3.4Essential variables3.5ISO 156143.6Qualification tests3.7Mechanical and impact testing3.8Welder qualification3.9Maintaining qualification3.10Practical exercise: writing a WPS
4.1Welding in radiation areas4.2ALARA radiation protection4.3Remote and teleoperated welding4.4Underwater welding4.5Repair of in-service piping4.6Temper bead technique4.7Mitigation by weld overlay and cladding4.8Outage planning4.9Contamination management4.10Case study: repair of a nozzle during an outage
5.1Origin of residual stresses5.2Measurement by diffraction and hole drilling5.3Numerical simulation of welding5.4Post-weld heat treatment5.5Peening and shot peening5.6Stress corrosion cracking mitigation5.7Distortion5.8Interpass temperature control5.9Model validation5.10Lab: thermal simulation of a weld pass
6.1Visual inspection of welds6.2Radiography6.3Phased array ultrasonic testing6.4Liquid penetrant testing6.5ASME XI in-service inspection6.6Acceptance criteria6.7Personnel qualification to ISO 97126.8Records and traceability6.9Cladding inspection6.10Practical exercise: interpreting weld radiographs
7.110 CFR 50 Appendix B7.2NQA-17.3On-site quality organisation7.4Control of materials and certificates7.5Non-conformances7.6Regulatory oversight7.7Safety culture7.8New build and SMRs7.9Additive manufacturing and welding7.10Case study: audit of a welding shop
8.1Component definition8.2Material selection8.3Process selection8.4Welding procedure8.5Qualification plan8.6Inspection plan8.7Radiation protection8.8Quality plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SYSWELD, Simufact Welding, Abaqus, CIVA and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real cases of welding procedure qualification, radiograph interpretation and residual stress simulation. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ASME BPVC Section IX, ASME BPVC Section III, ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, ISO 15614-1, ISO 9606-1, ASME BPVC Section XI.
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. A university degree is not required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running 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 SYSWELD, Simufact Welding, Abaqus, CIVA and ANSYS Mechanical, 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 is required.
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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