Diploma in Semantic Modeling and BI Performance
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in semantic modelling and BI performance, with 8 modules covering dimensional modelling, semantic layers, advanced DAX, the VertiPaq engine and storage, query performance, security and deployment, and modern BI architectures, 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
Design dimensional models with the right granularity.
Build semantic layers with single, governed metrics.
Write advanced DAX measures with full command of evaluation context.
Optimise storage and compression of tabular models.
Diagnose and solve query performance problems.
Implement security, version control and automated deployment.
Integrate semantic models into modern lakehouse architectures.
Who it's for
- BI developers.
- Analytical data modellers.
- Business intelligence architects.
- Analytics engineers.
- Power BI consultants.
- BI performance analysts tackling slow models and reports.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter banking and insurance.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC 9075 (SQL language)
- ISO/IEC 25012 (data quality model)
- ISO 8000 (data quality)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security)
- ISO/IEC 11179 (metadata registries)
- Power BI Desktop
- Tabular Editor
- DAX Studio
- dbt
- Microsoft Fabric
8 modules
1.1Facts, dimensions and granularity1.2Star and snowflake schemas1.3Kimball methodology: the bus matrix1.4Slowly changing dimensions types 1, 2 and 31.5Role-playing, junk and degenerate dimensions1.6Transaction, snapshot and accumulating fact tables1.7Surrogate and natural keys1.8Data Vault 2.0 versus the dimensional model1.9Modelling hierarchies1.10Workshop: bus matrix for a sales process
2.1The semantic layer concept and single metrics2.2Tabular models in Analysis Services and Power BI2.3dbt Semantic Layer and MetricFlow2.4LookML in Looker2.5Cube as a headless semantic layer2.6AtScale and virtual OLAP models2.7Relationships, cardinality and cross-filtering2.8Perspectives, translations and metadata2.9Governance of metric definitions2.10Practical: shared metrics with dbt Semantic Layer
3.1Row context and filter context3.2CALCULATE and context transition3.3X iterator functions3.4Time intelligence and calendar tables3.5Variables and readability3.6Calculation groups3.7Dynamic segmentation measures3.8Common DAX patterns3.9Debugging with DAX Studio3.10Lab: running total and year-on-year comparison measures
4.1Columnar storage and compression4.2Dictionary and value encoding4.3Cardinality and its impact on memory4.4VertiPaq Analyzer and size metrics4.5Import, DirectQuery and Direct Lake modes4.6Composite models and aggregations4.7Partitions and incremental refresh4.8Formula engine and storage engine4.9Optimising calculated columns4.10Case study: reducing the size of a model
5.1Performance Analyzer in Power BI5.2Server traces and query plans5.3Optimising slow measures5.4Query folding in Power Query5.5Designing the source for DirectQuery5.6Materialisation and aggregated views5.7Result caching5.8Concurrency and capacity5.9Load testing of models5.10Workshop: diagnosing a slow report
6.1Static and dynamic row-level security6.2Object-level security6.3Deployment pipelines between environments6.4Version control with Tabular Editor and PBIP6.5TMDL format and code review6.6Automated testing of measures6.7Managing Premium and Fabric capacities6.8Monitoring with Fabric Capacity Metrics6.9Model documentation6.10Practical: CI/CD pipeline for a tabular model
7.1Lakehouse and the medallion architecture7.2Microsoft Fabric and OneLake7.3Snowflake and Databricks SQL as sources7.4Integration with dbt7.5Real-time BI7.6Governed self-service analytics7.7AI models on top of the semantic layer7.8Costs and sizing7.9Migration from legacy platforms7.10Case study: migrating a multidimensional model
8.1Analysis of analytical requirements8.2Dimensional design of the model8.3Implementation of the tabular model8.4DAX measures and calculation groups8.5Optimisation and performance testing8.6Security and deployment8.7Documentation and governance8.8Load and concurrency testing8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Power BI Desktop, Tabular Editor, DAX Studio, dbt and Microsoft Fabric, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: dimensional design of a business process, optimisation of a slow tabular model, and implementation of row-level security and automated deployment. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC 9075, ISO/IEC 25012, ISO 8000, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 11179.
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's 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 Power BI Desktop, Tabular Editor, DAX Studio, dbt and Microsoft Fabric, 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.
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