Diploma in Risk and Sovereignty in Procurement
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in risk and sovereignty in defence procurement. 8 modules covering Directive 2009/81/EC, acquisition risks, security of supply, technological sovereignty, classified contracts, award and contract supervision, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Risk and Sovereignty in Procurement — 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 legal regime governing defence and security procurement.
Identify and assess risks in acquisition processes.
Integrate security of supply and information security requirements.
Apply technological sovereignty criteria in procurement.
Manage third-country dependencies and export restrictions.
Design contractual clauses to mitigate risks.
Supervise contract performance.
Who it's for
- Defence procurement officers.
- Acquisition risk managers.
- Public procurement legal advisers.
- Supply chain analysts.
- Strategic purchasing managers.
- Contract auditors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter public administration.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2009/81/EC (procurement in the fields of defence and security)
- Law 24/2011 (Spanish law on public sector contracts in defence and security)
- Law 9/2017 (Spanish Public Sector Contracts Act)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/452 (screening of foreign direct investment)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2418 (EDIRPA, common defence procurement)
- ISO 31000 (risk management)
- ISO 20400 (sustainable procurement)
- ITAR (22 CFR 120-130)
- the Spanish Public Sector Procurement Platform (PLACSP)
- SAP Ariba
- Power BI
- @RISK
8 modules
1.1Specific features of defence procurement1.2Directive 2009/81/EC1.3Spanish Law 24/20111.4Exclusions and Article 346 TFEU1.5Award procedures1.6European joint procurement1.7Procurement agencies1.8International procurement1.9Principles of transparency and competition1.10Case study: choosing the award procedure
2.1Risk identification2.2Technical risks2.3Schedule and cost risks2.4Supplier risks2.5Dependency risks2.6Regulatory and export risks2.7Corruption risks2.8Risk matrices2.9Cost simulation2.10Lab: cost risk analysis with simulation
3.1The concept of security of supply3.2Requirements in tender specifications3.3Industrial capabilities3.4Strategic stocks3.5Priority in crisis situations3.6Multi-tier supply chains3.7Capacity tests3.8Supplier assessment3.9Cooperation between States3.10Practical exercise: security of supply clauses
4.1Strategic autonomy in acquisitions4.2Control of intellectual property4.3Access to source code4.4ITAR restrictions and their impact4.5Components from third countries4.6Foreign investment screening4.7European preference4.8European defence funds4.9Sovereignty assessment4.10Case study: assessment of a bid with restricted components
5.1Classified contracts5.2Facility security clearances5.3Security classification guides5.4Supplier cybersecurity5.5Technology transfer5.6Subcontracting and security5.7Security audits5.8Incidents during performance5.9Model clauses5.10Workshop: security annex to a contract
6.1Selection (solvency) criteria6.2Award criteria6.3Life cycle cost6.4ISO 20400 sustainability criteria6.5Abnormally low tenders6.6Negotiation6.7Appeals and litigation6.8Procurement file documentation6.9Integrity of the procedure6.10Practical exercise: comparative evaluation of bids
7.1Contract management7.2Milestones and payments7.3Contract modifications7.4Penalties and guarantees7.5Performance monitoring7.6Managing changes at the supplier7.7Dispute resolution7.8Contract close-out7.9Lessons learned7.10Case study: managing a change of control of the contractor
8.1Selection of the procurement file8.2Applicable legal framework8.3Risk analysis8.4Sovereignty assessment of the bids8.5Proposed clauses8.6Proposed award criteria8.7Supervision plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: 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 the Spanish Public Sector Procurement Platform (PLACSP), SAP Ariba, Power BI and @RISK, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: risk analysis of a procurement file, evaluation of security of supply clauses and comparison of bids using sovereignty criteria. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: Directive 2009/81/EC, Law 24/2011, Law 9/2017, Regulation (EU) 2019/452, Regulation (EU) 2023/2418, ISO 31000, ISO 20400, ITAR.
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 the Spanish Public Sector Procurement Platform (PLACSP), SAP Ariba, Power BI and @RISK, 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 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in International Law and Ethics in War Medicine
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in international law and ethics in war medicine, structured in 8 modules covering international humanitarian law in healthcare, medical ethics…
Diploma in SAR/MEDEVAC Mission Integration
600-hour online postgraduate diploma in SAR and MEDEVAC mission integration: IAMSAR, search planning, medical configuration, flight physiology, communications and safety, with an assigned tutor.
Diploma in Military Logistics and Dual-Use Ethics
600-hour online postgraduate diploma in the ethics of military logistics and dual-use goods: export control, end use, human rights, anti-bribery and compliance governance, with an assigned…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships