Postgraduate Diploma in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT)
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT). 8 modules covering ISO 9712 (qualification of NDT personnel), ISO 17640 (ultrasonic testing of welded joints) and Evident OmniPC. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT) — studying from New Zealand
Maritime engineering is significant for New Zealand, given its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone and a strong sailing and boatbuilding tradition. Auckland, often called the City of Sails, hosts boatbuilders, marine service providers and offshore engineering firms, while Maritime New Zealand regulates safety at sea. Opportunities include naval architecture, offshore energy and aquaculture, and the New Zealand Defence Force's naval fleet supports further demand.
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
Which New Zealand bodies regulate marine and offshore engineering?
Maritime New Zealand regulates maritime safety and the operation of vessels, and Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers. Marine surveying and certain roles require recognised certificates issued by official bodies. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so they do not replace these requirements.
Do marine and offshore employers in New Zealand value private qualifications?
New Zealand has active marine, boatbuilding, port and offshore sectors, particularly in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. Employers usually prioritise recognised certificates, licences and practical experience. A SEIUM qualification may support an application, but whether it is valued is for each employer to decide.
Can I study this part-time from New Zealand?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from New Zealand. You are assigned a technical tutor and must complete a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Programme lengths range from 300 to 1,900 hours.
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
Identify typical defects in naval welds.
Apply conventional ultrasonic testing.
Use advanced ultrasonic techniques such as phased array and TOFD.
Interpret industrial radiographs using radiation safety criteria.
Carry out magnetic particle inspections.
Apply liquid penetrant testing.
Plan in-service inspection of the vessel.
Who it's for
- NDT Level 2 inspector who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- Ultrasonic technician who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- Classification society inspector who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- Shipyard quality manager who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- In-service vessel inspector who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- NDT coordinator who wants to specialise in Naval NDT (UT, RT, MT, PT).
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter shipbuilding.
What you'll work with
- ISO 9712 (qualification of NDT personnel)
- ISO 17640 (ultrasonic testing of welded joints)
- ISO 17636 (radiographic testing of welded joints)
- ISO 17638 (magnetic particle testing)
- ISO 3452-1 (liquid penetrant testing)
- ISO 13588 (phased array ultrasonic testing)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (radiation protection)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Role of inspection in shipbuilding1.2Typical discontinuities in welded joints1.3Volumetric versus surface methods1.4Inspector qualification under ISO 97121.5Classification society requirements1.6Inspection plans by zone and criticality1.7Quality levels under ISO 58171.8Visual inspection under ISO 176371.9Records, reports and traceability1.10Practical: inspection plan for a double-bottom block
2.1Wave propagation and vibration modes2.2Equipment, probes and couplants2.3Calibration with reference blocks2.4Pulse-echo technique and DAC curves2.5Weld inspection under ISO 176402.6Acceptance levels under ISO 116662.7Plate thickness measurement2.8Detection of laminations in plate2.9Limitations in coarse-grained steels2.10Laboratory: UT inspection of a butt weld
3.1Principles of phased array (PAUT)3.2Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) technique3.3Standards ISO 13588 and ISO 108633.4Inspection of thick-section welds3.5Corrosion mapping with ultrasound3.6Guided waves in pipes3.7Full matrix capture and TFM3.8Data analysis and software3.9Comparison with radiography3.10Practical: interpretation of PAUT sectorial images
4.1Principles of radiation attenuation4.2X-ray sources and gamma isotopes4.3Digital and computed radiography4.4Techniques under ISO 176364.5Image quality indicators4.6Interpretation of indications in welds4.7Radiation protection and controlled areas4.8Acceptance levels under ISO 106754.9Digital archiving and traceability4.10Workshop: interpretation of weld radiographs
5.1Principles of magnetisation and leakage flux5.2Yoke and prod techniques5.3Visible and fluorescent particles5.4Procedure under ISO 176385.5Acceptance levels under ISO 232785.6Magnetisation direction and sensitivity5.7Detection of surface and subsurface cracks5.8Demagnetisation and post-cleaning5.9Limitations in non-ferromagnetic materials5.10Practical: MT yoke inspection of T-joints
6.1Capillarity principle and test stages6.2Types of penetrants and developers6.3Procedure under ISO 3452-16.4Inspection of stainless steel and aluminium6.5Surface preparation and cleaning6.6Sensitivity and process control6.7Interpretation of linear and rounded indications6.8Acceptance levels under ISO 232776.9Chemical safety and waste management6.10Case study: PT inspection of stainless steel pipe welds
7.1Class surveys and thickness7.2Thickness measurements during special survey7.3Inspection of fatigue-sensitive details7.4Corrosion assessment in ballast tanks7.5Underwater inspection as an alternative to dry-docking7.6Drones and inspection robots7.7Digital management of inspection data7.8Thickness measurement companies approved by class7.9Steel renewal criteria7.10Case study: thickness measurement campaign
8.1Definition of scope and structure8.2Justified selection of methods8.3Drafting of test procedures8.4Personnel qualification8.5Execution planning8.6Evaluation of results and acceptance8.7Inspection report8.8Process improvement proposal8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Evident OmniPC, CIVA, Zetec UltraVision, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real inspection procedures for ultrasonic and phased array weld testing, radiograph interpretation, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant inspection. 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.
Identify typical defects in naval welds.
Apply conventional ultrasonic testing.
Use advanced ultrasonic techniques such as phased array and TOFD.
Interpret industrial radiographs using radiation safety criteria.
Carry out magnetic particle inspections.
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.
- Sufficient English to follow technical standards documentation.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with Evident OmniPC, CIVA, Zetec UltraVision. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma, awarded upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is an in-house qualification, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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