Diploma in Validation of Robotic Systems in Defence
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in validation of robotic systems in defence. 8 modules covering defence robotic systems, verification and validation engineering, system safety, validation of autonomy and AI, simulation and virtual testing, field testing, and governance, ethics and law, 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
Define validation requirements for robotic systems.
Prepare traceable verification and validation plans.
Analyse hazards and build safety cases.
Validate AI-based autonomous functions.
Use simulation to extend test coverage.
Plan and evaluate field tests.
Apply ethical and legal principles to validation.
Who it's for
- Verification and validation engineers working on robotic or autonomous systems.
- System safety engineers applying MIL-STD-882E or IEC 61508.
- Autonomy test specialists.
- Robotics engineers who want a rigorous approach to testing and acceptance.
- Operational evaluators assessing systems with real users.
- Technical certification managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable systems)
- ISO 10218-1 (safety requirements for industrial robots)
- ISO 13482 (safety requirements for personal care robots)
- UL 4600 (safety evaluation of autonomous products)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1 (software testing concepts)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system life cycle processes)
- ROS 2
- Gazebo
- MATLAB Simulink Test
- CARLA
- IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS
8 modules
1.1Ground, aerial and marine robots1.2Inspection and bomb disposal robots1.3Logistics and rescue robots1.4Levels of autonomy and supervision1.5Architecture of a robotic system1.6System life cycle1.7Operational and technical requirements1.8Concept of operations and environment1.9International validation experience1.10Case study: requirements for an inspection robot
2.1Difference between verification and validation2.2Verification and validation master plan2.3Requirements traceability2.4Analysis, inspection and test methods2.5Technical design reviews2.6Testing by level2.7Entry and exit criteria2.8Management of non-conformities2.9Evidence for acceptance2.10Practical exercise: V&V plan for a manipulator
3.1Preliminary hazard analysis3.2Fault tree analysis3.3FMECA of subsystems3.4Functional safety of controllers3.5Emergency stops and safety zones3.6Physical human-robot interaction3.7Residual risk and acceptance3.8Argued safety cases3.9Software safety3.10Workshop: hazard analysis of a robot
4.1Emergent behaviours4.2Scenario-based testing4.3Generation of edge cases4.4Robustness of perception models4.5Adversarial attacks on neural networks4.6Explainability of decisions4.7Autonomy performance metrics4.8Formal verification of controllers4.9Runtime monitoring4.10Laboratory: robustness testing of a detector
5.1Physics simulators for robotics5.2Software- and hardware-in-the-loop5.3Digital twins of the robot5.4Simulation validity5.5Scenario coverage5.6Automated regression testing5.7Continuous integration in robotics5.8From simulator to the real world5.9Data logging and replay5.10Practical exercise: test campaign in a simulator
6.1Field test planning6.2Standardised test facilities6.3Mobility, dexterity and endurance6.4Communications and range6.5Adverse environmental conditions6.6Testing with real operators6.7Data and video collection6.8Statistical analysis6.9Operational evaluation report6.10Case study: evaluation of a rescue robot
7.1Human control and supervision7.2Manufacturer and user responsibility7.3Legal review of new systems7.4Principles of responsible AI use7.5Protection of captured data7.6Transparency and documentation7.7System cybersecurity7.8Certification and technical authority7.9Social acceptance of robotics7.10Case study: ethics report on a deployment
8.1Selected robotic system8.2Requirements and scenarios8.3Verification and validation plan8.4Safety analysis8.5Simulation campaign8.6Field test plan8.7Ethical and legal assessment8.8Results and conclusions8.9Report 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, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Simulink Test, CARLA and IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for scenario-based testing in a simulator, field trials with operators and robustness analysis of perception models. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MIL-STD-882E, IEC 61508, ISO 10218-1, ISO 13482, UL 4600, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1 and ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.
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 ROS 2, Gazebo, MATLAB Simulink Test, CARLA and IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS, 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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