Diploma in Advanced SMR and Micro-Modular Reactors
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in advanced SMR and micro-modular reactors. 8 modules covering modular reactor concepts, water-cooled SMRs, advanced reactors, microreactors, safety and licensing, economics and deployment, and integration into energy systems, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Advanced SMR and Micro-Modular Reactors — studying from Ireland
Ireland maintains a small defence force, the Defence Forces, which operates its own engineering corps and equipment maintenance capabilities. Defence procurement and development are handled through the Department of Defence, while much of the wider defence-related industrial activity involves dual-use technologies, electronics and communications systems supplied by domestic and international firms. Engineers in this area typically work on land vehicle maintenance, military communications, protective equipment and systems integration. Policy and procurement are governed by national and European frameworks, including EU defence initiatives.
Fees for Ireland: €1,490 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee defence engineering and does a private qualification count?
Defence in Ireland is overseen by the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces run their own training and technical structures. Engineers Ireland sets general professional engineering standards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state-awarded, and they are not accredited by any national body, so recognition for any defence-related role is decided by the relevant authority or employer.
Do Irish defence and land-systems employers hire people with private online qualifications?
Irish defence-related hiring is limited and often subject to security vetting and specific qualification requirements, so employers set their own criteria. A private online qualification may be taken into account alongside experience, but we cannot say how any employer will view it or guarantee any result. Check requirements for particular roles directly.
Can I study this from Ireland while working, and what is the workload?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without travel or a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Plan your weekly hours realistically around your job.
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 concepts behind modular reactors and microreactors.
Analyse the design of water-cooled SMRs.
Compare advanced reactor technologies.
Assess passive safety principles.
Design licensing strategies.
Estimate the economics of SMR deployment.
Integrate modular reactors into energy systems.
Who it's for
- Advanced reactor engineers.
- Nuclear safety analysts.
- Licensing specialists.
- Energy economists.
- Energy integration engineers.
- Nuclear project managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSR-2/1 (Rev. 1) (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
- Directive 2014/87/Euratom (nuclear safety of nuclear installations)
- 10 CFR Part 53 (US risk-informed, technology-inclusive framework for advanced reactors)
- 10 CFR Part 52 (US licences, certifications and approvals for nuclear power plants)
- WENRA Safety Objectives for New Nuclear Power Plants (European regulators’ safety objectives)
- IAEA INFCIRC/225/Rev. 5 (physical protection of nuclear material and facilities)
- Serpent
- OpenMC
- RELAP5-3D
- MOOSE
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Definition of SMR and microreactor1.2Economies of scale versus modularity1.3Reactor generations1.4Electricity, heat and hydrogen1.5Remote sites1.6Reference designs1.7Status of international licensing1.8European initiatives1.9Supply chain1.10Case study: comparison of SMR designs
2.1Integral PWRs2.2Natural circulation2.3Passive safety systems2.4Integrated steam generators2.5Fuel for water-cooled SMRs2.6Boron-free reactivity control2.7Compact containment2.8Accident analysis2.9Commercial designs2.10Laboratory: natural circulation in a simplified model
3.1High-temperature reactors and TRISO3.2Sodium-cooled fast reactors3.3Lead-cooled reactors3.4Molten salt reactors3.5Heat pipe reactors3.6HALEU fuel3.7Materials for high temperatures3.8Conversion cycles3.9Technology readiness3.10Practical exercise: neutronic model of a TRISO cell
4.1Microreactor concepts4.2Heat pipe cooling4.3Transportability4.4Autonomous operation4.5Remote monitoring4.6Inherent safety4.7Applications at bases, mines and islands4.8Projects under development4.9Technical and regulatory challenges4.10Workshop: analysis of a remote site
5.1Defence in depth5.2Passive safety5.3Probabilistic safety assessment5.4Emergency planning zone5.5The 10 CFR Part 53 framework5.6Licensing in Europe5.7WENRA safety objectives5.8Regulatory harmonisation5.9Safeguards and physical protection by design5.10Case study: licensing strategy
6.1Capital costs6.2Modular factory fabrication6.3Levelised cost of energy6.4Financing6.5Supply chain6.6Site selection6.7Social acceptance6.8HALEU fuel supply6.9Industrial capabilities6.10Practical exercise: cost model for an SMR fleet
7.1Cogeneration7.2Heat for industrial processes7.3Hydrogen production7.4Desalination7.5Integration with renewables7.6Load following7.7Isolated grids7.8Energy planning7.9Industrial decarbonisation7.10Laboratory: integration into an isolated grid
8.1Definition of the application8.2Technology selection8.3Preliminary sizing8.4Safety analysis8.5Licensing strategy8.6Economic assessment8.7Energy integration8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 Serpent, OpenMC, RELAP5-3D, MOOSE and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: neutronic models of advanced fuels, natural circulation analysis and economic assessments of deployment. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IAEA SSR-2/1 (Rev. 1), Directive 2014/87/Euratom, 10 CFR Part 53, 10 CFR Part 52, WENRA Safety Objectives for New Nuclear Power Plants and IAEA INFCIRC/225/Rev. 5.
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 Serpent, OpenMC, RELAP5-3D, MOOSE and MATLAB, 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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