Diploma in Cat Modelling for Floods and Earthquakes
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in cat modelling for floods and earthquakes. 8 modules covering fundamentals, the regulatory framework (Solvency II (Directive 2009/138/EC), IFRS 17 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/35), analysis methods, design, systems integration, risk and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Cat Modelling for Floods and Earthquakes — studying from Ireland
Ireland is an established international hub for insurance, reinsurance and captive insurance, with Dublin hosting a large concentration of insurers, brokers and actuarial functions. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates insurance undertakings and the sector's solvency and conduct requirements. Engineers and analysts in this area work on risk modelling, catastrophe analysis, pricing and data-driven underwriting, often combining technical, statistical and regulatory expertise. Professional qualifications and standards are maintained by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and related bodies.
Fees for Ireland: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which professional bodies in Ireland relate to this area, and is this qualification recognised by them?
In Ireland, actuarial work is associated with the Society of Actuaries in Ireland, and risk and data professionals may also look to bodies such as the Institute of Banking. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not confer membership or exemptions from these bodies. Confirm any exemption policies directly with the relevant institute before enrolling.
How is training like this typically viewed by employers in Ireland's insurance and risk sector?
Insurers and financial firms in Ireland generally value recognised professional qualifications most highly. A private online qualification is judged on its content and on your demonstrated skills, including your final project. Employers decide whether it is relevant to a given role, so it is best used to support existing experience rather than as a standalone credential.
What is the practical workload and language requirement for studying this online?
Programmes are taught entirely in English and delivered 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in Ireland or abroad. Workload depends on the programme length: specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments.
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
Master the technical fundamentals of cat modelling for floods and earthquakes and its regulatory vocabulary.
Apply Solvency II (Directive 2009/138/EC), IFRS 17 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/35 to real design and validation decisions.
Build and correlate calculation models with R and Python (pandas, scikit-learn).
Plan and run test campaigns in an actuarial modelling environment and on a claims data platform.
Analyse operational data and translate it into engineering decisions.
Prepare the technical and compliance dossier required by the client or regulator.
Lead a cat modelling for floods and earthquakes project technically from start to finish.
Who it's for
- Non-life actuaries looking to specialise in cat modelling for floods and earthquakes.
- Risk analysts who want to broaden their expertise into cat modelling for floods and earthquakes.
- Technical underwriters seeking a structured, standards-based grounding in this field.
- Claims adjusters involved in projects where cat modelling for floods and earthquakes plays a key role.
- Pricing managers aiming to take on greater technical responsibility in this area.
- Technical reserves managers wishing to update their knowledge with current methods and tools.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into motor insurance.
What you'll work with
- Solvency II (Directive 2009/138/EC) (EU prudential regime for insurers)
- IFRS 17 (accounting standard for insurance contracts)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/35 (implementing rules for Solvency II)
- EIOPA Guidelines (European supervisory guidance for insurance)
- ISO 31000 (risk management guidelines)
- Law 20/2015 (LOSSEAR) (Spanish law on the supervision of insurers)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) (EU data protection regulation)
- DORA (Regulation (EU) 2022/2554) (digital operational resilience for the financial sector)
- AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) (EU artificial intelligence regulation)
- R
- Python (pandas, scikit-learn)
- SAS
- Prophet
- ResQ
8 modules
1.1Core concepts and quantities of Cat Modelling for Floods and Earthquakes1.2Technology landscape and state of the art1.3Technical terminology and reference documentation1.4Physical and engineering principles applied to the case1.5Functional architecture: from requirements to components1.6Interfaces and dependencies with adjacent systems1.7Typical use cases in the sector1.8Common errors and how to detect them early1.9Data sources and quality criteria1.10Guided exercise: initial diagnosis
2.1Applicable regulatory framework: overview2.2Regulatory hierarchy and conflicts between standards2.3Mandatory requirements versus good practice2.4Acceptance criteria and required evidence2.5Technical documentation and traceability2.6Change management and configuration control2.7Audits, inspections and non-conformities2.8Responsibilities and division of scope2.9Interpretation of critical clauses2.10Exercise: regulatory checklist
3.1Model set-up: assumptions and simplifications3.2Selection of tools and working environment3.3Preparation of input data3.4Workflow and modelling good practice3.5Discretisation and case preparation3.6Boundary conditions and load cases3.7Convergence control and numerical verification3.8Sensitivity analysis and parametric study3.9Automation and reuse of models3.10Exercise: building a base model
4.1Design requirements and starting criteria4.2Solution alternatives and comparative analysis4.3Sizing and safety margins4.4Selection of materials, equipment or components4.5Integration with the rest of the system4.6Cost, schedule and manufacturing constraints4.7Reliability, maintainability and service life4.8Sustainability and efficiency in design4.9Design review and risk management4.10Exercise: documented design proposal
5.1System architecture and functional breakdown5.2Interface definition and control5.3Protocols and data exchange5.4Progressive integration and interface testing5.5Electromagnetic and environmental compatibility5.6Configuration management of the integrated system5.7Resolving conflicts between subsystems5.8Tuning the integrated system5.9Traceability from requirements to verification5.10Exercise: interface matrix
6.1Hazard identification and preliminary analysis6.2Failure modes and effects analysis6.3Fault trees and quantitative analysis6.4Allocation of reliability targets6.5Barriers, redundancies and fault tolerance6.6Human factors and operating errors6.7Safety evidence and argumentation6.8Risk management throughout the life cycle6.9Indicators and monitoring in operation6.10Exercise: risk analysis of a case
7.1Verification and validation strategy7.2Test plan: scope and coverage7.3Instrumentation and data acquisition7.4Laboratory testing versus field testing7.5Correlation between model and measurement7.6Treatment of uncertainty and tolerances7.7Failure analysis and corrective actions7.8Commissioning and acceptance criteria7.9Documentation of the validation file7.10Exercise: validation report
8.1Case definition and success criteria8.2Gathering input data and requirements8.3Work planning and deliverables8.4Technical development guided by the tutor8.5Applying the regulatory framework to the case8.6Verification of results and critical analysis8.7Documentation of the deliverable8.8Technical defence and peer review8.9Lessons learned and continuous improvement8.10Final project: final assessment and programme close-out
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 the intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is R, Python (pandas, scikit-learn), SAS, Prophet, ResQ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from an actuarial modelling environment, a claims data platform and a catastrophe scenario simulator. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: Solvency II (Directive 2009/138/EC), IFRS 17, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/35, EIOPA Guidelines, ISO 31000, Law 20/2015 (LOSSEAR), Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), DORA (Regulation (EU) 2022/2554), AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689).
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.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run 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 R, Python (pandas, scikit-learn), SAS, Prophet and ResQ, 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 is required), a computer able to run the programme 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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