Diploma in Deep Geological Repository Design
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in deep geological repository design, structured in 8 modules covering the repository concept, site characterisation, engineered barriers, underground facility design, long-term safety assessment, coupled processes modelling and licensing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Deep Geological Repository Design — 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: €1,290 (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
Understand the concept of deep geological disposal.
Analyse the characterisation of repository sites.
Design engineered barriers.
Design underground disposal facilities.
Assess long-term safety.
Model coupled processes in the repository.
Analyse licensing and the social dimension of repositories.
Who it's for
- Geological disposal engineers
- Site geologists
- Hydrogeologists
- Long-term safety analysts
- Geotechnical engineers
- Transport modelling specialists
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into radioactive waste management
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSR-5 (safety requirements for the disposal of radioactive waste)
- IAEA SSG-14 (geological disposal facilities for radioactive waste)
- IAEA SSG-23 (safety case and safety assessment for disposal)
- Directive 2011/70/Euratom (EU framework for spent fuel and radioactive waste management)
- WENRA Waste and Spent Fuel Storage Safety Reference Levels (European regulators’ safety reference levels)
- Royal Decree 102/2014 (Spanish regulation on spent fuel and radioactive waste management)
- ICRP Publication 122 (radiological protection in geological disposal)
- PFLOTRAN
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- CODE_BRIGHT
- FLAC3D
- GoldSim
8 modules
1.1Principles of geological disposal1.2The multi-barrier system concept1.3Safety timescales1.4Spent fuel and high-level waste1.5Granite, clay and salt formations1.6International reference programmes1.7The Onkalo project in Finland1.8Experience in Sweden and France1.9Status of the Spanish programme1.10Case study: comparison of repository concepts
2.1Site selection criteria2.2Regional and structural geology2.3Hydrogeology of the rock mass2.4Geochemistry of deep groundwater2.5Seismicity and tectonic stability2.6Underground research laboratories2.7Boreholes and characterisation techniques2.8Descriptive site models2.9Characterisation uncertainties2.10Practical exercise: interpreting borehole data
3.1Copper and steel canisters3.2Compacted bentonite buffer3.3Thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the buffer3.4Tunnel backfill and seals3.5Interaction between barriers3.6Canister corrosion3.7Bentonite degradation3.8Full-scale tests3.9Barrier design requirements3.10Laboratory: thermal behaviour of a bentonite
4.1Layout of tunnels and disposal cells4.2Vertical and horizontal emplacement4.3Thermal design of the repository4.4Applied rock mechanics4.5Excavation and support4.6Surface facilities4.7Ventilation and services4.8Transfer systems4.9Repository construction phases4.10Practical exercise: thermal spacing between canisters
5.1The repository safety case5.2Evolution scenarios5.3Features, events and processes (FEP)5.4Radionuclide migration5.5Transport models in fractured rock5.6Long-term dose calculation5.7Uncertainty analysis5.8Natural analogues as evidence5.9Regulatory safety criteria5.10Workshop: FEP list for a repository
6.1Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes6.2Flow modelling in fractured media6.3Reactive transport models6.4Gas generation and migration6.5Climate evolution and glaciations6.6Modelling tools6.7Validation against experiments6.8DECOVALEX international projects6.9Model management6.10Laboratory: transport simulation with PFLOTRAN
7.1Stepwise licensing process7.2Monitoring during operation7.3Closure and institutional control7.4Preservation of records and memory7.5Retrievability of waste7.6Community participation7.7Social acceptance of sites7.8Intergenerational ethical aspects7.9Risk communication7.10Case study: the site selection process in Sweden
8.1Definition of the concept8.2Selection of the host rock8.3Design of the barriers8.4Design of the facility8.5Thermal analysis of the design8.6Preliminary safety assessment8.7Design conclusions8.8Design recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 fits alongside your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. You work with PFLOTRAN, COMSOL Multiphysics, CODE_BRIGHT, FLAC3D and GoldSim in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for full-scale barrier tests, hydrogeological characterisation in boreholes and radionuclide migration simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final capstone project.
Standards covered: IAEA SSR-5, IAEA SSG-14, IAEA SSG-23, Council Directive 2011/70/Euratom, WENRA Waste and Spent Fuel Storage Safety Reference Levels, Royal Decree 102/2014, ICRP Publication 122.
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 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 PFLOTRAN, COMSOL Multiphysics, CODE_BRIGHT, FLAC3D and GoldSim, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in Radioactive Waste Classification
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in radioactive waste classification, structured in 8 modules covering the nature of radioactive waste, the IAEA classification scheme, national systems,…
Diploma in Long-Term Safety Monitoring
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in long-term safety monitoring of nuclear and waste facilities, structured in 8 modules covering long-term safety, surveillance programmes, hydrogeological, geotechnical…
Diploma in Environmental Sampling and Detection Techniques
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in environmental sampling and detection techniques for radioactivity, structured in 8 modules covering environmental radioactivity, sampling programme design, sampling of…
More in Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
All Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships