Diploma in Composite Design/Laminating and Repair
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in composite design, lay-up and repair. 8 modules covering aerospace composite materials, laminate mechanics, composite structure design, lay-up and curing processes, inspection, repair, and quality, safety and sustainability, with 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
Select composite materials for aerospace applications.
Analyse laminates using classical theory and failure criteria.
Design composite structures for manufacture and certification.
Define lay-up processes and cure cycles.
Apply inspection techniques to composites.
Design repairs in line with manuals and regulations.
Manage the quality and sustainability of the processes.
Who it's for
- Composite structures engineers.
- Composite manufacturing technicians.
- Repair engineers at maintenance organisations.
- Composite quality inspectors.
- Process engineers in aerostructures manufacturing.
- Structural analysis (stress) engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work for aircraft manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook)
- FAA AC 20-107B (composite aircraft structure)
- EASA AMC 20-29 (composite aircraft structure)
- ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites)
- ASTM D7136 (drop-weight impact damage resistance)
- ASTM D7137 (compressive residual strength after impact)
- SAE AMS 2750 (pyrometry)
- NADCAP AC7118 (composites audit criteria)
- Abaqus
- ANSYS Composite PrepPost
- HyperSizer
- CATIA Composites Design
- Altair OptiStruct
8 modules
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Thermoset and thermoplastic matrices1.3Prepregs and storage1.4Honeycomb and foam cores1.5Properties of the unidirectional ply1.6Micromechanics and the rule of mixtures1.7Environmental effects: moisture and temperature1.8Allowables and B-basis values1.9Applications in modern aircraft1.10Workshop: material selection for a fuselage panel
2.1Classical laminate theory2.2ABD matrices and coupling2.3Symmetric and balanced laminates2.4Stacking sequences2.5Interlaminar stresses at free edges2.6Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure criteria2.7Buckling of composite plates2.8Stress concentration at holes2.9Damage tolerance and CAI2.10Practical: analysing a laminate with classical theory
3.1Laminate design rules3.2Thickness tapering and ply drops3.3Stiffened panels and stringers3.4Mechanical joints in composites3.5Lightning strike protection3.6Design for manufacture3.7Finite element analysis3.8Laminate optimisation3.9Certification test pyramid3.10Laboratory: FEM model of a stiffened panel
4.1Hand lay-up in a clean room4.2Automated tape laying (ATL) and automated fibre placement (AFP)4.3Vacuum bagging and consumables4.4Autoclave cure cycles4.5Out-of-autoclave processes4.6Infusion and RTM4.7Thermoplastics and consolidation4.8Process control and records4.9Common manufacturing defects4.10Practical: designing a cure cycle
5.1Porosity and delaminations5.2Ultrasonic testing of composites5.3Pulsed active thermography5.4Tap test and simple methods5.5Radiography and computed tomography5.6Laser shearography inspection5.7Acceptance criteria5.8Low-energy impact damage5.9In-service inspection5.10Case study: assessing impact damage
6.1Damage assessment and classification6.2Structural Repair Manual (SRM)6.3Cosmetic and structural repairs6.4Bonded scarf repairs6.5Bolted patch repairs6.6Surface preparation of the repair area6.7Curing with heat blankets6.8Post-repair inspection6.9Repair approval under Part-216.10Laboratory: scarf repair of a monolithic panel
7.1Process and personnel qualification7.2Material traceability7.3Occupational health with resins and fibres7.4Environmental control of clean rooms7.5Carbon fibre recycling7.6Recyclable thermoplastic composites7.7Life cycle assessment7.8Manufacturing costs7.9Trends in aerospace composites7.10Case study: audit of a lay-up process
8.1Definition of the component8.2Material selection8.3Laminate design8.4Structural analysis of the laminate8.5Manufacturing plan8.6Inspection of the manufactured laminate8.7Repair design8.8Acceptance justification8.9Report 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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, HyperSizer, CATIA Composites Design and Altair OptiStruct, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: laminate design and analysis for structural panels, prepreg manufacturing in autoclave and scarf repairs of damaged structures. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CMH-17; FAA AC 20-107B; EASA AMC 20-29; ASTM D3039; ASTM D7136; ASTM D7137; SAE AMS 2750; NADCAP AC7118.
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.
- 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 Abaqus, ANSYS Composite PrepPost, HyperSizer, CATIA Composites Design, Altair OptiStruct, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in Structural Monitoring (SHM) and Aircraft Health
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Aircraft Health. 8 modules covering sensors, guided waves, loads and usage monitoring, signal processing…
Diploma in Terminal Design, Airside and Security
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in terminal, airside and security design: 8 modules covering functional terminal planning, terminal processors, airside design, airside safety, aviation security,…
Diploma in SAF Implementation and Fuel Certification
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SAF implementation and fuel certification. 8 modules covering aviation fuel specifications, SAF production pathways, approval of new fuels, properties…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships