Course in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion
Online 300-hour course in superconducting technologies in fusion. 6 modules covering IEC 61788-1 (critical current in Nb-Ti conductors), IEC 61788-2 (critical current in Nb3Sn conductors) and COMSOL Multiphysics (AC/DC). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion — studying from Ireland
Ireland has no nuclear power generation, and its nuclear engagement is centred on radiation protection, research, medical applications and international policy. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, now part of the Environmental Protection Agency, regulates radiation sources and monitors radiation exposure. Engineers and scientists in this area typically work in research, healthcare, environmental monitoring, decommissioning oversight and nuclear safeguards. Professional standards and expertise are coordinated through national and international bodies, with Ireland participating in European and international nuclear safety frameworks.
Fees for Ireland: €546 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is Ireland a country with a nuclear power industry, and how is nuclear engineering professionally recognised here?
Ireland has no operating nuclear power plants, so nuclear engineering careers here are mainly in regulation, research, decommissioning oversight and international projects. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is the national regulator for radiation protection. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by this or any national body, so recognition depends on employers or the relevant body.
How might employers in Ireland view this training for nuclear-related roles?
Given Ireland's limited domestic nuclear industry, relevant roles are often with regulators, research institutions or multinational employers. Those employers decide how much weight to give a private online qualification and will usually look for specific radiation protection or regulatory credentials. There is no guarantee of any role or outcome.
What should I consider about workload and language before enrolling?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Ireland at your own pace. Study durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your time carefully. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and an assigned technical tutor supports your progress.
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
Explain the fundamentals of applied superconductivity.
Compare low- and high-critical-temperature superconductors.
Conceptually design toroidal and poloidal field coils.
Analyse quench detection and protection.
Size cryogenic cooling systems.
Interpret critical current measurements according to IEC 61788.
Assess the role of REBCO superconductors in compact tokamaks.
Who it's for
- Superconducting magnet engineer who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Cryogenic engineer who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Superconducting materials researcher who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Magnet protection engineer who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Fusion magnet researcher who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Cryogenic test technician who wants to specialise in Superconducting Technologies in Fusion.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear fusion.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61788-1 (critical current in Nb-Ti conductors)
- IEC 61788-2 (critical current in Nb3Sn conductors)
- IEC 60050-815 (superconductivity vocabulary)
- ISO 21009 (static cryogenic vessels)
- EN 13458 (vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessels)
- ASME BPVC Section III, Division 4 (fusion devices)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Zero resistance and the Meissner effect1.2Type I and type II superconductors1.3Critical temperature, field and current density1.4Critical surface and vortex pinning1.5BCS theory and coherence length1.6Low-temperature superconductors: NbTi and Nb3Sn1.7High-temperature superconductors: REBCO and Bi-22121.8MgB2 and intermediate applications1.9Strain dependence in Nb3Sn1.10Practice: reading Jc(B,T) curves of conductors
2.1ITER cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC)2.2Multifilamentary wires and copper stabiliser2.3REBCO tapes and VIPER and CroCo cables2.4AC losses and coupling2.5Cryogenic stability and temperature margin2.6Current sharing and resistive transition2.7Superconducting joints and splices2.8Reaction heat treatment of Nb3Sn2.9Qualification tests at SULTAN2.10Workshop: calculating the temperature margin of a CICC
3.1Toroidal and poloidal field coils3.2Central solenoid and magnetic flux3.3Electromagnetic loads and Lorentz forces3.4Mechanical structure and coil cases3.5Electrical insulation and epoxy materials3.6Toroidal field ripple3.7High-field HTS magnets: SPARC3.8Magnet design for stellarators: W7-X3.9Error field correction coils3.10Case study: sizing a TF coil
4.1Supercritical helium cooling4.2Cryogenic plants and distribution4.3Thermal shields and cryostat4.4Nuclear heat load on the magnets4.5Quench detection and response times4.6Fast discharge and dump resistors4.7Heating and pressure during quench4.8Protection of HTS magnets: partial insulation4.9Cryogenic and diagnostic instrumentation4.10Laboratory: quench propagation simulation
5.1ITER magnets: manufacturing and lessons learned5.2JT-60SA and the manufacture of NbTi coils5.3EAST and KSTAR as superconducting tokamaks5.4Wendelstein 7-X and non-planar coils5.5SPARC and the 20 T TF magnet5.6European DEMO and CFETR programmes5.7Neutron irradiation damage in superconductors5.8Power supplies and switching5.9Costs and supply chain5.10Case study: testing the SPARC TF model coil
6.1Definition of device requirements6.2Superconductor selection6.3Conductor and cable design6.4Field and force calculation6.5Mechanical coil design6.6Cryogenic cooling scheme6.7Quench protection system6.8Technical risk assessment6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is COMSOL Multiphysics (AC/DC), Opera (Simulia), ROXIE, THEA (CryoSoft), ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for critical current measurements, quench tests on prototype magnets and cryogenic characterisation. 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.
Explain the fundamentals of applied superconductivity.
Compare low- and high-critical-temperature superconductors.
Conceptually design toroidal and poloidal field coils.
Analyse quench detection and protection.
Size cryogenic cooling systems.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with COMSOL Multiphysics (AC/DC), Opera (Simulia), ROXIE, THEA (CryoSoft) and ANSYS Mechanical. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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