Diploma in Cargo Operations, ULD and Dangerous Goods
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in cargo operations, ULD and dangerous goods. 8 modules covering air cargo operations, ULD, cargo weight and balance, the dangerous goods regulatory framework, classification and packing, acceptance and emergencies, and special cargo and security, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Cargo Operations, ULD and Dangerous Goods — studying from India
India's aerospace sector is growing steadily, anchored by Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the Kanpur-Lucknow belt. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Electronics are major employers, alongside a fast-growing base of drone and space start-ups. The Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research and Development Organisation drive research programmes, while civil aviation rules are set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Engineers here work on aircraft systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite subsystems and urban air mobility concepts, and the sector's push for indigenisation keeps demand for skilled talent strong.
Fees for India: ₹190,000 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in India
Typical roles
Questions from India
Which professional bodies in India recognise aerospace engineering, and does a private online qualification help with recognition?
In India, aeronautical engineering is recognised mainly through the Institution of Engineers (India), the Aeronautical Society of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for aircraft maintenance licences. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Whether they count towards professional membership or roles is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check their criteria before enrolling.
Which employers in India hire aerospace engineers, and how would this programme be used in that work?
Aerospace engineers in India work with organisations such as ISRO, HAL, DRDO laboratories, and private aerospace and drone firms, along with MRO and airline engineering teams. A private postgraduate qualification can support a career move or specialisation, but it is not a substitute for formal technical experience or statutory certifications. Employers usually weigh it alongside your work record and skills.
Can I manage this programme alongside a full-time job in India, given the time zone and language?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Classes and deadlines are set by the school, so check the schedule against India Standard Time (IST). Master's programmes are around 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas around 800 and specialist courses around 300, so plan your weekly hours realistically. You get an assigned technical tutor. Ask your employer about sponsorship, as instalment fees may make this easier.
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 how air cargo operations are organised.
Select and build ULDs in line with the regulations.
Prepare loading plans within weight and balance limits.
Apply dangerous goods regulations.
Classify, pack and document dangerous goods.
Manage acceptance and emergency response.
Plan the safe transport of special cargo.
Who it's for
- Air cargo agents moving into more technical operational roles.
- Dangerous goods technicians at airlines, handlers or freight forwarders.
- Load planners and weight and balance controllers.
- Cargo terminal supervisors.
- Cargo security managers.
- Cargo operations managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the airline industry.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 18 (The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air)
- ICAO Doc 9284 (Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air)
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) (industry rules for shipping dangerous goods)
- IATA ULD Regulations (ULDR) (ULD specifications and handling)
- Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (SPA.DG) (approval to transport dangerous goods)
- ETSO-C90d (certification of cargo pallets, nets and containers)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 (aviation security measures, including cargo)
- IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) (transport of live animals)
- CHAMP Cargospot
- Hermes Cargo
- Lido/Load&Trim
- IATA DG AutoCheck
- SAP TM
8 modules
1.1Structure of the air cargo market1.2Business models: integrators and combination carriers1.3Freighters, belly holds and combi aircraft1.4Documentation: AWB and manifests1.5e-freight and Cargo-IMP messaging1.6Cargo terminals and handling1.7Export, import and transit flows1.8Cargo performance indicators1.9Applicable customs regulations1.10Workshop: document flow for an export shipment
2.1Types of containers and pallets2.2IATA ULD identification codes2.3Contours and aircraft compatibility2.4Nets, restraints and tie-downs2.5Inspection and allowable damage2.6IATA ULD Regulations2.7ULD fleet management and tracking2.8ULD build-up and acceptance2.9Certification under TSO-C90 and ETSO2.10Practical: building a pallet within the contour
3.1Floor structural limitations3.2Linear and area loads3.3Loading plan and load sheet3.4Centre of gravity and envelope3.5Aircraft cargo loading systems3.6Locks and restraint systems3.7Cargo shift and its risks3.8LDM and CPM messages3.9Load control software3.10Laboratory: loading plan for a wide-body freighter
4.1ICAO Annex 184.2ICAO Technical Instructions4.3IATA DGR4.4Hazard classes and divisions4.5Forbidden goods and exceptions4.6State and operator variations4.7Shipper and operator responsibilities4.8Function-based CBTA training4.9Regulation (EU) 965/2012 Part SPA.DG4.10Case study: identifying dangerous goods in a consignment
5.1Dangerous goods list5.2UN numbers and proper shipping names5.3Packing groups5.4Packing instructions5.5UN-specification packaging and marking5.6Hazard and handling labels5.7Shipper's declaration5.8Lithium batteries in cargo5.9Limited and excepted quantities5.10Practical: preparing the documentation for a lithium battery shipment
6.1Acceptance checklist6.2Segregation of incompatible goods6.3Loading on passenger and cargo aircraft6.4NOTOC notification to the captain6.5Detection of leaks and damage6.6In-flight emergency response6.7Ground emergency procedures6.8Reporting of dangerous goods occurrences6.9Undeclared dangerous goods6.10Case study: managing an incident involving undeclared dangerous goods
7.1Perishables and the cold chain7.2CEIV Pharma pharmaceutical products7.3Live animals and LAR regulations7.4Human remains and valuables7.5Oversized and heavy cargo7.6ACC3 cargo security7.7X-ray cargo screening7.8Known consignor and regulated agent7.9Cybersecurity in cargo systems7.10Case study: transporting temperature-controlled vaccines
8.1Description of the operational scenario8.2Selection of ULD and aircraft8.3Loading and balance plan8.4Dangerous goods analysis8.5Acceptance procedures8.6Dangerous goods emergency response8.7Cargo security measures8.8Performance indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is CHAMP Cargospot, Hermes Cargo, Lido/Load&Trim, IATA DG AutoCheck and SAP TM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: acceptance of dangerous goods shipments, load and balance planning for freighters, and ULD build-up and inspection. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 18; ICAO Doc 9284; IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR); IATA ULD Regulations (ULDR); Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (SPA.DG); ETSO-C90d; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998; IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR).
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 CHAMP Cargospot, Hermes Cargo, Lido/Load&Trim, IATA DG AutoCheck, SAP TM, 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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