Diploma in Unmanned Aircraft Certification Standards (EASA/EASA Mil/FAA)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in unmanned aircraft certification standards (EASA/EASA Mil/FAA), with 8 modules covering the UAS regulatory framework, SORA risk assessment, military UAS certification, system safety, the FAA route, the certified category and UAS testing, applying Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, STANAG 4671 and JARUS SORA 2.5, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Unmanned Aircraft Certification Standards (EASA/EASA Mil/FAA) — 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$2,550 (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 European, US and NATO regulatory frameworks for UAS.
Apply the SORA methodology to specific-category operations.
Define certification bases for military UAS according to STANAGs.
Carry out system safety analyses of unmanned systems.
Compare the EASA and FAA certification routes.
Manage the continuing airworthiness of UAS fleets.
Plan test campaigns that provide evidence of compliance.
Who it's for
- UAS certification engineers.
- Drone operations managers.
- Operational safety analysts.
- Unmanned systems engineers.
- UAS regulatory consultants.
- UAS flight test engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
- STANAG 4671 (UAV systems airworthiness requirements, fixed wing)
- JARUS SORA 2.5 (specific operations risk assessment)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS and third-country operators)
- STANAG 4703 (light UAS airworthiness requirements)
- RTCA DO-365 (detect and avoid performance standards)
- 14 CFR Part 107 (US small UAS rule)
- ASTM F3322 (small UAS parachutes)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- PX4 Autopilot
- QGroundControl
- Isograph Reliability Workbench
8 modules
1.1Open, specific and certified categories1.2Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/9471.3Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/9451.4Spanish UAS regulations1.5US rule 14 CFR Part 1071.6NATO UAS classification by class1.7U-space and Regulation (EU) 2021/6641.8State UAS versus civil UAS1.9Competent authorities1.10Practical exercise: classification of three unmanned systems
2.1The JARUS SORA 2.5 methodology2.2Ground risk class2.3Air risk class2.4SAIL level2.5Strategic and tactical mitigations2.6Operational safety objectives2.7European standard scenarios2.8Pre-defined risk assessments2.9Integrity and assurance levels2.10Case study: SORA for a power line inspection
3.1STANAG 4671 for fixed wing3.2STANAG 4702 for rotary wing3.3STANAG 4703 for light UAS3.4Tailoring the certification basis3.5Command and control link3.6Ground control station3.7Flight termination systems3.8Comparison with CS-233.9Military authorities and UAS3.10Workshop: certification basis for a MALE UAS
4.1AMC RPAS.13094.2Functional hazard analysis4.3C2 link reliability4.4Detect and avoid according to DO-3654.5Containment and geofencing4.6Lost-link procedures4.7DO-178C software in UAS4.8DO-254 hardware4.9Cybersecurity to ED-202A4.10Lab: FHA of C2 link loss
5.1Part 107 and waivers5.2Special class certification under 21.17(b)5.3Airworthiness criteria for UAS5.4Beyond visual line of sight operations5.5Delivery operations under Part 1355.6Remote identification under Part 895.7ASTM F38 consensus standards5.8EASA-FAA comparison5.9Integration pilot programmes5.10Case study: certification of a delivery drone
6.1EASA Light-UAS special condition6.2UAS design organisations6.3Production and conformity6.4Continuing airworthiness6.5Records and maintenance6.6Remote pilot training6.7Licences and certificates6.8Light UAS operator certificate (LUC)6.9Occurrence reporting6.10Practical exercise: continuing airworthiness plan
7.1System ground testing7.2Data link testing7.3Flight testing in segregated airspace7.4Simulation and digital twin7.5DO-160G environmental testing7.6Electromagnetic compatibility7.7Parachutes according to ASTM F33227.8Evidence of mitigation robustness7.9Test reports7.10Case study: test campaign for a multirotor
8.1Description of the system and its use8.2Category and applicable framework8.3SORA assessment or certification basis8.4System safety analysis8.5C2 link requirements8.6Test plan8.7Continuing airworthiness plan8.8Documentation for the authority8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, PX4 Autopilot, QGroundControl and Isograph Reliability Workbench, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: SORA assessment of specific operations, flight testing in segregated airspace and analysis of command and control link loss. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, STANAG 4671, JARUS SORA 2.5, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, STANAG 4703, RTCA DO-365, 14 CFR Part 107, ASTM F3322.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, PX4 Autopilot, QGroundControl and Isograph Reliability Workbench, 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 Submarine Escape and Safety Systems
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in submarine escape and safety systems: 8 modules covering submarine risks, individual escape, rescue, life support, fire and flooding, signalling…
Diploma in Mechanical and Thermal Design of Fuel Assemblies
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in mechanical and thermal design of fuel assemblies. 8 modules covering assembly components, rod heat transfer, channel thermal-hydraulics, thermomechanical behaviour,…
Diploma in Ethics of Stealth Technology Development
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in the ethics of stealth technology development. 8 modules covering low-observability concepts, the ethics of concealment, secrecy and society, export…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships