Fuel Element Manufacturing Course
Online 300-hour course in fuel element manufacturing. 6 modules covering ASTM C776 (sintered UO2 pellets), ASTM C753 (nuclear-grade sinterable UO2 powder) and Minitab. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Fuel Element Manufacturing Course — studying from India
India's nuclear programme is state-led and centred on the Department of Atomic Energy, with operations managed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and research carried out at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Reactor sites are located at places such as Tarapur, Kakrapar, Kudankulam and Rawatbhata. Regulation is handled by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, which sets safety standards for reactors and fuel facilities. Engineers in this field work on reactor systems, fuel cycle technologies, radiation safety and materials, with expertise supported by institutions such as the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.
Fees for India: ₹78,800 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in India
Typical roles
Questions from India
Who regulates nuclear engineering work in India and does this course satisfy them?
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) regulates nuclear safety in India, and the Department of Atomic Energy runs the sector. SEIUM's qualification is private, not an official degree, and is not accredited by any national body. It does not satisfy any regulatory requirement, and AERB or the employer will decide what qualifications they require.
Which Indian employers work in nuclear engineering and the fuel cycle?
Public sector nuclear organisations and their associated industries are the main employers, and entry normally follows government recruitment and vetting processes. Private employers in the sector also exist. Because hiring is tightly controlled, a private online qualification is unlikely to be the deciding factor, and recognition depends on the employer.
Is this programme workable with a job in India, and how is it funded?
The programme is online and taught in English, so you can study from home across India without a student visa. Each student is assigned a technical tutor and completes a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, which is often the practical route for working engineers.
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
Describe the conversion process from oxide to sintered pellet.
Explain cladding manufacture and rod filling and sealing.
Analyse the fuel element assembly and its structural components.
Apply statistical process control and quality assurance.
Evaluate the radiological, chemical and criticality safety of the plant.
Interpret technical specifications of materials and products.
Develop an integrating fuel manufacturing project.
Who it's for
- Nuclear fuel manufacturing engineer who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Process quality engineer who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Criticality safety specialist who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Fuel design engineer who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Materials laboratory technician who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Production manager who wishes to specialise in Fuel Element Manufacturing.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- ASTM C776 (sintered UO2 pellets)
- ASTM C753 (nuclear-grade sinterable UO2 powder)
- ASTM B811 (zirconium alloy tubing for cladding)
- ASTM C996 (UF6 enriched below 5 %)
- IAEA SSR-4 (safety of nuclear fuel cycle facilities)
- IAEA SSG-6 (safety of uranium fuel fabrication facilities)
- ISO 19443 (quality management in the nuclear supply chain)
- ASME NQA-1 (quality assurance in nuclear facilities)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Raw material: uranium dioxide powder1.2Conversion routes and powder characteristics1.3Control of specific surface area and flowability1.4Granulation and pressing additives1.5Pellet pressing and dies1.6Sintering: atmosphere, temperature and cycle1.7Density and porosity control1.8Grinding and dimensional finishing1.9Mixed oxide blending and its requirements1.10Exercise: define a pellet specification
2.1Obtaining zirconium alloy tube2.2Extrusion, cold rolling and annealing2.3Dimensional and texture control2.4Tube inspection by ultrasonics and eddy currents2.5Cleaning and internal preparation2.6Loading the pellet column2.7Hold-down spring and expansion gap2.8Helium pressurisation2.9End-plug welding and its inspection2.10Practice: inspection plan for a rod
3.1Spacer grids and their function3.2Guide tubes and nozzles3.3Mechanical assembly and alignment3.4Control of bundle geometry3.5Tolerances and permissible bow3.6Marking and identification of components3.7Functional testing of the assembly3.8Handling and packaging3.9Transport of fresh fuel3.10Practice: define the tolerances of a bundle
4.1Quality management system in manufacturing4.2Statistical process control4.3Destructive and non-destructive testing4.4Verification of declared enrichment4.5Batch and component traceability4.6Management of non-conformities and deviations4.7Qualification of processes and operators4.8Customer and regulator audits4.9Delivery documentation4.10Practice: investigate a non-conformity
5.1Radiological risks of handling uranium5.2Internal contamination and monitoring5.3Criticality safety in the plant5.4Control of masses, geometries and moderation5.5Fire protection and chemical hazards5.6Management of waste and process scrap5.7Nuclear material accountancy5.8Physical protection and access control5.9Plant emergency plan5.10Practice: safety analysis of an operation
6.1Choice of the fuel element type to manufacture6.2Specification of the product and materials6.3Manufacturing process flow diagram6.4Stage-by-stage quality control plan6.5Inspection and testing plan6.6Plant safety analysis6.7Waste and recoverable material management6.8Costs and production capacity6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is Minitab, FRAPCON, TRANSURANUS, SCALE (KENO), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for dimensional and density control of pellets, weld inspection of rods, and criticality safety analysis in the plant. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the conversion process from oxide to sintered pellet.
Explain cladding manufacture and rod filling and sealing.
Analyse the fuel element assembly and its structural components.
Apply statistical process control and quality assurance.
Evaluate the radiological, chemical and criticality safety of the plant.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow the reading of technical regulations.
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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
Work is carried out with Minitab, FRAPCON, TRANSURANUS, SCALE (KENO). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry title.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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