Diploma in Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in post-irradiation examination (PIE): 8 modules covering hot cell facilities, non-destructive and destructive examinations, fission gas analysis, in-cell mechanical testing, radiochemistry and the use of PIE data, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) — 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: €1,790 (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 design and operation of hot cells.
Apply non-destructive examinations to irradiated fuel.
Analyse released fission gases.
Perform destructive and microstructural examinations.
Carry out mechanical tests remotely.
Determine burnup using radiochemical methods.
Make use of PIE data in validation and licensing.
Who it's for
- Hot cell technicians.
- Nuclear materials engineers.
- Radiochemists.
- Radiation protection specialists.
- Fuel researchers.
- Quality managers in nuclear laboratories.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work in nuclear research centres.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E321 (determination of burnup by neodymium-148 method)
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- IAEA SSR-6 (Rev. 1) (regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material)
- Royal Decree 1836/1999 (Spanish regulation on nuclear and radioactive facilities)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Spanish regulation on health protection against ionising radiation)
- MCNP
- ORIGEN
- Genie 2000
- ImageJ
8 modules
1.1Hot cell design1.2Biological shielding1.3Remote manipulators1.4Ventilation and negative pressure1.5Confinement1.6Waste management1.7Radiation protection1.8Transport in Type B packages1.9European reference facilities1.10Practical: simplified shielding calculation
2.1Remote visual inspection2.2Profilometry2.3Eddy currents2.4Axial gamma spectrometry2.5Neutron radiography2.6Length measurement2.7Oxide thickness measurement2.8Tomography2.9Preparation for puncturing2.10Lab: analysis of a gamma spectrum
3.1Rod puncturing3.2Free volume3.3Isotopic composition of krypton and xenon3.4Release fraction3.5Release models3.6Correlations with burnup3.7Safety implications3.8Quality control3.9Uncertainty3.10Case study: fission gas release fraction
4.1Cutting and preparation4.2Cladding metallography4.3Pellet ceramography4.4Optical microscopy4.5Scanning electron microscopy4.6Electron probe microanalysis4.7FIB lamella preparation4.8Density4.9Burnup according to ASTM E3214.10Workshop: in-cell metallography protocol
5.1Ring tensile testing5.2Burst tests5.3Miniaturised Charpy5.4Microhardness5.5Creep5.6Remote operation of machines5.7Hydrogen content5.8Specimen design5.9Remote calibration5.10Lab: interpretation of a ring tensile test
6.1Fuel dissolution6.2ICP-MS spectrometry6.3TIMS spectrometry6.4Burnup determination6.5Actinide analysis6.6Fission products6.7Radiochemical separations6.8Uncertainty6.9Data for codes6.10Case study: burnup from neodymium-148
7.1ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation7.2Sample traceability7.3Examination databases7.4Code validation7.5Licensing support7.6Waste management7.7International cooperation7.8Lessons learned7.9Process improvement7.10Case study: use of PIE data in code validation
8.1Campaign objective8.2Rod selection8.3Transport plan8.4Non-destructive examinations8.5Destructive examinations8.6Mechanical tests8.7Chemical analyses8.8Use of results8.9Report 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 fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MCNP, ORIGEN, Genie 2000 and ImageJ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for gamma spectrometry of fuel rods, rod puncturing and fission gas analysis, and hot cell metallography. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM E321, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, IAEA SSR-6 (Rev. 1), Royal Decree 1836/1999, Royal Decree 1029/2022.
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 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 MCNP, ORIGEN, Genie 2000 and ImageJ, 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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