Diploma in Testing and Validation of Critical Software
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in testing and validation of critical software. 8 modules covering verification principles, requirements-based testing, structural coverage, static analysis and formal methods, embedded and real-time testing, model-based testing and automation and system validation across sectors, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Testing and Validation of Critical Software — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
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
Plan the verification of critical software.
Design requirements-based tests.
Measure and justify structural coverage.
Apply static analysis and formal methods.
Carry out embedded and real-time testing.
Automate testing with models and qualified tools.
Compare testing requirements across critical sectors.
Who it's for
- Software verification engineers.
- Embedded test engineers.
- Formal methods specialists.
- Software quality engineers.
- Verification independence managers.
- Integration engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022 (software testing: general concepts)
- RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification considerations)
- RTCA DO-333 (formal methods supplement to DO-178C)
- MISRA C:2023 (guidelines for the use of C in critical systems)
- IEC 61508-3:2010 (functional safety: software requirements)
- EN 50716:2023 (railway applications: software development requirements)
- ISO 26262-6:2018 (road vehicles functional safety: software level)
- VectorCAST
- LDRA Testbed
- Polyspace
- Frama-C
- Simulink Test
8 modules
1.1Verification versus validation1.2Test levels1.3ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 series1.4Safety-critical software1.5Verifiable requirements1.6Coverage criteria1.7Independence of verification1.8Test plan1.9Verification metrics1.10Practical exercise: test plan for a module
2.1Equivalence partitioning2.2Boundary value analysis2.3Decision tables2.4Robustness testing2.5Normal and abnormal cases2.6Requirement-to-test traceability2.7Interface testing2.8State machine testing2.9Review of test cases2.10Workshop: test cases for a fuel control
3.1Statement coverage3.2Decision coverage3.3MC/DC coverage3.4Coverage tools3.5Object code verification3.6Dead code3.7Deactivated code3.8Data and control coupling3.9Instrumentation3.10Laboratory: MC/DC analysis with VectorCAST
4.1MISRA C:2023 rules4.2CERT C standard4.3Abstract interpretation4.4Model checking4.5Proof with SPARK and Frama-C4.6DO-333 supplement4.7Design by contract4.8Worst-case execution time4.9Stack analysis4.10Laboratory: verification with Frama-C
5.1Testing on the target processor5.2Hardware-in-the-loop5.3Software- and processor-in-the-loop5.4Timing constraints5.5WCET analysis5.6Concurrency5.7Real-time operating systems5.8Hardware-software integration5.9Fault injection5.10Practical exercise: HIL bench for a controller
6.1Simulink Test6.2Model-in-the-loop6.3Back-to-back testing6.4Automatic test case generation6.5Continuous integration in critical systems6.6DO-330 tool qualification6.7Automated regression6.8Test management6.9Verification reports6.10Workshop: automated regression pipeline
7.1Requirements validation7.2System testing7.3DO-356A security testing7.4Fuzzing7.5Acceptance testing7.6Operational evaluation7.7IEC 61508-3 requirements7.8EN 50716 railway requirements7.9ISO 26262-6 requirements7.10Case study: comparison of testing requirements across sectors
8.1Software description8.2Criticality level8.3Verification strategy8.4Test cases8.5Static analysis8.6Structural coverage8.7Tools and qualification8.8Verification report8.9Report 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 the intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VectorCAST, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace, Frama-C and Simulink Test, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for MC/DC coverage analysis, hardware-in-the-loop testing and formal verification of modules. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-1:2022, RTCA DO-330, RTCA DO-333, MISRA C:2023, IEC 61508-3:2010, EN 50716:2023 and ISO 26262-6:2018.
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 VectorCAST, LDRA Testbed, Polyspace, Frama-C and Simulink Test, 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 capable of running 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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