Diploma in Advanced Military Composite Processes
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in advanced military composite processes, structured in 8 modules covering raw materials, hand lay-up and autoclave, automated lay-up (AFP/ATL), out-of-autoclave processes, thermoplastics and joining, process simulation and defence platform applications, under CMH-17, AS9100D and NADCAP AC7118, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Advanced Military Composite Processes — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom maintains a substantial defence industry, with prime contractors such as BAE Systems and Babcock, and a wide supply chain across the Midlands, the North West, Bristol and Scotland. Land systems, armoured vehicles, munitions and military engineering programmes provide long-term employment for engineers in design, integration, test and sustainment. The Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory oversee procurement and research. Security clearance requirements shape recruitment, and professional standards are maintained through UK defence engineering frameworks.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £746 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies and regulators are relevant to defence and military land systems engineering?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence sets its own engineering standards and the Engineering Council regulates professional registration. Professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Engineers' professional structures are relevant. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition for security-cleared or MOD roles is decided by the employer and the relevant authority.
Will a private qualification help with UK defence industry careers?
UK defence employers, including primes and suppliers, often prioritise security clearance eligibility, relevant experience and formal qualifications recognised by the MOD or industry bodies. A private qualification may support your profile but is unlikely to replace these requirements. Ask prospective employers how they would assess it before enrolling.
Is it practical to study this online while working in the UK, and what about language and funding?
Online study means you can continue working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer training sponsorship, though policies vary. Each programme has a fixed number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Confirm the workload and costs before enrolling.
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
Select fibres, resins and formats for each application.
Manufacture autoclave laminates under quality control.
Programme automated fibre placement processes.
Apply out-of-autoclave and resin transfer processes.
Join thermoplastic and thermoset composites.
Simulate processes to predict distortion and mould filling.
Industrialise composite parts for defence platforms.
Who it's for
- Composites process engineers.
- Advanced manufacturing technicians.
- AFP automation specialists.
- Tooling engineers.
- Industrialisation engineers.
- Composite materials researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- CMH-17 (Composite Materials Handbook)
- AS9100D (aerospace quality management system)
- NADCAP AC7118 (audit criteria for composites manufacturing)
- ASTM D3171 (constituent content of composite materials)
- ASTM D2734 (void content of reinforced plastics)
- ASTM D3418 (transition temperatures of polymers by DSC)
- Siemens Fibersim
- CATIA Composites Design
- ESI PAM-RTM
- COMPRO
- Abaqus
8 modules
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Epoxy, BMI and cyanate ester resins1.3PEEK and PEKK thermoplastic matrices1.4Prepregs1.5Dry and non-crimp fabrics1.6Honeycomb and foam cores1.7Structural adhesives1.8Cure chemistry1.9Resin rheology1.10Practical exercise: selection of the resin system
2.1Tooling design2.2Automated ply cutting2.3Lay-up and compaction2.4Vacuum bagging and consumables2.5Autoclave cycles2.6Porosity control2.7Invar and composite tooling2.8Demoulding and trimming2.9Typical defects2.10Laboratory: manufacture of a panel in an autoclave
3.1Automated fibre placement3.2Automated tape laying3.3Pick-and-place systems3.4Path programming3.5Gap and overlap defects3.6In-line inspection3.7Productivity and rates3.8Robotic cells3.9Offline programming software3.10Case study: AFP programming of a skin
4.1Resin transfer moulding4.2Vacuum-assisted RTM4.3Resin infusion4.4Out-of-autoclave prepregs4.5Compression moulding4.6Pultrusion4.7Filament winding4.8High-pressure RTM4.9Cost and quality comparison4.10Workshop: fill simulation of an RTM mould
5.1In-situ consolidation5.2Induction welding5.3Ultrasonic welding5.4Resistance welding5.5Thermoforming5.6Adhesive bonding5.7Surface preparation5.8Mechanical joints5.9Joint testing5.10Laboratory: induction welding of coupons
6.1Cure kinetics6.2Distortion and spring-in6.3Residual stresses6.4Draping simulation6.5Preform permeability6.6Simulation tools6.7Experimental validation6.8Manufacturing digital twin6.9Cycle optimisation6.10Practical exercise: spring-in prediction for a profile
7.1Combat aircraft structures7.2Helicopter blades7.3Naval superstructures7.4Land vehicle components7.5Radomes7.6UAV structures7.7Field repairs7.8Recycling and sustainability7.9Life-cycle costs7.10Case study: manufacturing process for a radome
8.1Part definition8.2Material selection8.3Process selection8.4Tooling design8.5Process simulation8.6Quality control plan8.7Cost analysis8.8Industrial scale-up8.9Report 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 each intake, so the programme can be combined with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens Fibersim, CATIA Composites Design, ESI PAM-RTM, COMPRO and Abaqus, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for autoclave panel manufacture, infusion and RTM of parts, and thermoplastic welding. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CMH-17, AS9100D, NADCAP AC7118, ASTM D3171, ASTM D2734, ASTM D3418.
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 Siemens Fibersim, CATIA Composites Design, ESI PAM-RTM, COMPRO and Abaqus, 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 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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