Course in Laboratory Testing of Structural Materials
Online course of 300 hours in laboratory testing of structural materials. 6 modules covering laboratory organisation and measurement uncertainty, testing of aggregates, cement, concrete, steel and other materials, and quality control to ISO/IEC 17025, EN 12390-3 and EN 12350-2, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Laboratory Testing of Structural Materials — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
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
Organise an accredited testing laboratory.
Calculate the measurement uncertainty of tests.
Test aggregates and cements to standard.
Carry out tests on fresh and hardened concrete.
Characterise structural and reinforcing steels.
Apply statistical quality control.
Plan a testing campaign for a construction project.
Who it's for
- Materials laboratory technicians
- Laboratory quality managers
- On-site quality control technicians
- Materials engineers
- Accreditation auditors
- Construction R&D technicians
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into testing laboratories
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- EN 12390-3 (compressive strength of hardened concrete)
- EN 12350-2 (slump test of fresh concrete)
- EN 196-1 (methods of testing cement – strength)
- EN 933-1 (particle size distribution of aggregates)
- EN ISO 6892-1 (tensile testing of metallic materials)
- EN ISO 15630-1 (test methods for reinforcing steel)
- Microsoft Excel
- LabVIEW
- Minitab
- testXpert
6 modules
1.1Organisation of a materials laboratory1.2Accreditation and technical competence1.3Equipment and its calibration1.4Metrological traceability1.5Measurement uncertainty1.6Sampling and receipt of samples1.7Laboratory safety1.8Data recording and management1.9Test reports1.10Practical: uncertainty calculation for a compression test
2.1Particle size distribution of aggregates2.2Density and water absorption2.3Los Angeles abrasion test2.4Sand equivalent2.5Fineness and specific surface of cement2.6Setting time2.7Strength of standard mortar2.8Soundness2.9Alkali-silica reactivity2.10Lab: particle size distribution and absorption of an aggregate
3.1Slump test consistency3.2Air content3.3Making and curing test specimens3.4Compressive strength3.5Tensile splitting and flexural strength3.6Modulus of elasticity3.7Depth of water penetration3.8Shrinkage and creep3.9Special and self-compacting concretes3.10Lab: compression testing of specimens
4.1Tensile testing of steels4.2Yield strength and elongation4.3Bend testing of reinforcing bars4.4Rib geometry4.5Charpy impact test4.6Brinell and Vickers hardness4.7Weld testing4.8Fatigue of reinforcing bars4.9Chemical analysis of steels4.10Lab: tensile test of a ribbed bar
5.1Testing of structural timber5.2Testing of FRP composites5.3Bond strength testing5.4Testing of repair mortars5.5Soil testing for foundations5.6Statistical production control5.7Acceptance control on site5.8Interpreting non-conforming results5.9Interlaboratory testing5.10Case study: acceptance control of a concrete
6.1Definition of the works6.2Materials to be controlled6.3Sampling plan6.4Applicable tests and standards6.5Test scheduling6.6Analysis of results6.7Control report6.8Budget6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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 work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab and testXpert, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for compression tests on concrete specimens, tensile tests on ribbed bars and acceptance control of materials on site. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC 17025, EN 12390-3, EN 12350-2, EN 196-1, EN 933-1, EN ISO 6892-1, EN ISO 15630-1.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Microsoft Excel, LabVIEW, Minitab, testXpert, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, 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.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, 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.
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