Diploma in High-Power Laser Engineering
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in high-power laser engineering. 8 modules covering laser physics, fibre lasers, solid-state and diode lasers, beam optics and quality, thermal and power management, industrial applications and laser safety, applied to IEC 60825-1, ISO 11146 and ISO 11553-1, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in High-Power Laser Engineering — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's defence engineering sector is centred on the New Zealand Defence Force, which operates land, sea and air capabilities, with major bases at Linton and Burnham. Defence procurement and sustainment are managed through the Ministry of Defence, and local firms support maintenance, communications and vehicle systems. Land systems engineering is closely linked to the country's agricultural and forestry sectors, where ruggedised vehicles and equipment are developed and maintained.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,770 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
How is defence and military engineering recognised in New Zealand?
Engineering registration is handled by Engineering New Zealand, and defence procurement and security clearances are managed through the New Zealand Defence Force and government procurement processes. Security clearance requirements can matter more than academic credentials for some roles. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not accredited by a national body, so recognition rests with the employer.
What defence and land systems employers operate in New Zealand?
Opportunities arise with the New Zealand Defence Force, Defence Technology Agency, defence industry suppliers and engineering firms serving land systems and vehicles. Many roles require citizenship or security clearance. A private online qualification may support an application, but it does not guarantee a position, and clearance and experience usually weigh more heavily.
Is it possible to study from New Zealand without a visa, and can my employer pay?
Yes, programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Each includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your workload carefully.
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 physics of lasers.
Design and characterise high-power fibre lasers.
Compare solid-state and diode laser technologies.
Measure and optimise beam quality.
Manage thermal effects and power.
Apply high-power lasers to industrial processes.
Apply laser safety regulations.
Who it's for
- Laser engineers working with high-power sources.
- Laser process engineers in cutting, welding and surface treatment.
- Laser safety officers.
- Optical engineers moving into high-power systems.
- Additive manufacturing specialists.
- Photonics researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into photonics.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60825-1 (safety of laser products)
- ISO 11146 (measurement of beam widths and divergence)
- ISO 11553-1 (safety of laser processing machines)
- EN 207 (eye protection against laser radiation)
- Royal Decree 486/2010 (Spanish regulation on artificial optical radiation)
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing)
- ANSI Z136.1 (safe use of lasers)
- Zemax OpticStudio
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- RP Fiber Power
- MATLAB
- Python NumPy
8 modules
1.1Stimulated emission and population inversion1.2Resonant cavities1.3Transverse and longitudinal modes1.4Optical and electrical pumping1.5Active media1.6Continuous-wave and pulsed lasers1.7Q-switching and mode-locking1.8Quantum efficiency1.9Rate equations1.10Workshop: rate-equation model in Python
2.1Ytterbium-doped fibres2.2Double-clad fibres2.3Pump diodes2.4Bragg gratings2.5Non-linear effects2.6Modal instability2.7Large-mode-area fibres2.8MOPA amplifiers2.9Component reliability2.10Lab: characterisation of a fibre laser
3.1Nd:YAG lasers3.2Thin-disk lasers3.3Diode bars and stacks3.4Direct-diode lasers3.5CO2 lasers3.6Ultrafast lasers3.7Chirped pulse amplification3.8Technology comparison3.9Industrial applications3.10Practical exercise: comparing sources for an application
4.1Gaussian beams4.2M² factor and ISO 111464.3Beam parameter product4.4Focusing and depth of field4.5Beam delivery optics4.6Processing heads4.7Galvanometer scanners4.8Laser-induced damage in optics4.9Coatings4.10Lab: beam profile measurement
5.1Thermal effects in the active medium5.2Thermal lensing5.3Water cooling5.4Industrial chillers5.5Power supplies5.6Wall-plug efficiency5.7Power scaling5.8Beam combining5.9Power monitoring5.10Practical exercise: thermal load calculation for a system
6.1Laser cutting6.2Laser welding6.3Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing6.4Directed energy deposition6.5Surface treatments6.6Laser cleaning6.7Micromachining6.8Laser shock peening6.9Process monitoring6.10Case study: laser welding in the automotive industry
7.1IEC 60825-1 classification7.2Maximum permissible exposure7.3Eye and skin hazards7.4Enclosures and interlocks7.5EN 207 protective eyewear7.6Royal Decree 486/20107.7Laser safety officer7.8Fumes and associated hazards7.9CE marking of laser machines7.10Practical exercise: risk assessment of a laser cell
8.1Definition of the application8.2Source selection8.3Optical design8.4Thermal management8.5System integration8.6Safety assessment8.7Validation plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 Zemax OpticStudio, COMSOL Multiphysics, RP Fiber Power, MATLAB and Python NumPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied, including fibre laser characterisation, beam profile measurements and risk assessments of laser cells. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: IEC 60825-1, ISO 11146, ISO 11553-1, EN 207, Royal Decree 486/2010, ISO/ASTM 52900, ANSI Z136.1.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 Zemax OpticStudio, COMSOL Multiphysics, RP Fiber Power, MATLAB, Python NumPy, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in SysML and MBSE in Military Programmes
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in SysML and MBSE in military programmes. 8 modules covering MBSE in defence programmes, the SysML language, MBSE methodologies, requirements…
Diploma in Military Cartography and NATO Standards
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in military cartography and NATO standards. 8 modules covering the organisation of military cartography, reference systems and grids, map production,…
Diploma in Materials Certification to MIL-STDs
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in materials certification to MIL-STDs: 8 modules covering military materials specifications, metallic materials, polymers and composites, coatings (MIL-DTL-5541, MIL-A-8625, MIL-PRF-23377),…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships