Diploma in Certification Testing of Integrated Systems
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in certification testing of integrated systems, with 8 modules covering system certification, environmental testing, EMC, integration rigs and HIL, ground and flight testing, and software and safety evidence, applying SAE ARP4754B, RTCA DO-160G and MIL-STD-810H, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Certification Testing of Integrated Systems — 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
Plan the verification of integrated systems according to ARP4754B.
Define environmental test campaigns in line with DO-160G and MIL-STD-810H.
Apply the electromagnetic compatibility requirements of MIL-STD-461G and 464.
Design tests on integration rigs and hardware-in-the-loop benches.
Organise ground and flight testing with proper risk management.
Manage compliance evidence and the certification dossier.
Resolve integration discrepancies in a traceable way.
Who it's for
- Certification engineers.
- Systems test engineers.
- Avionics integration engineers.
- EMC specialists.
- Flight test engineers.
- Verification and validation leads.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter military aerospace.
What you'll work with
- SAE ARP4754B (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering and laboratory tests)
- SAE ARP4761A (safety assessment process)
- MIL-STD-461G (EMI control requirements for subsystems and equipment)
- MIL-STD-464D (electromagnetic environmental effects for systems)
- MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
- IRIG 106 (telemetry standards)
- IBM DOORS
- dSPACE
- MATLAB/Simulink
- NI LabVIEW
- IADS
8 modules
1.1V life cycle and verification1.2System requirements and traceability1.3System development according to ARP4754B1.4Safety assessment according to ARP4761A1.5Development assurance levels1.6Military certification basis and EMACC1.7Authorities, roles and delegations1.8Means and evidence of compliance1.9System certification plan1.10Practical exercise: requirements-to-tests traceability matrix
2.1Sections of RTCA DO-160G2.2MIL-STD-810H methods2.3Temperature and altitude2.4Vibration and mechanical shock2.5Humidity, salt fog and fungus2.6Sand and dust2.7Lightning indirect effects2.8Electrical power input variations2.9Tailoring of test profiles2.10Lab: environmental test plan for an LRU
3.1MIL-STD-461G requirements3.2MIL-STD-464 platform requirements3.3Conducted and radiated emissions3.4Conducted and radiated susceptibility3.5High-intensity radiated fields (HIRF)3.6Anechoic and reverberation chambers3.7Aircraft-level testing3.8Shielding, filtering and grounding3.9EMC margin analysis3.10Case study: diagnosing a CE102 failure
4.1System integration laboratories4.2Hardware-in-the-loop rigs4.3Flight systems iron bird4.4Simulation of the environment and sensors4.5MIL-STD-1553B and ARINC 429 interfaces4.6Rig configuration4.7Automated regression testing4.8Fault injection4.9Data recording and analysis4.10Workshop: HIL test script
5.1Power quality according to MIL-STD-704F5.2Functional tests on the aircraft5.3Whole-aircraft EMC5.4Ground vibration test5.5Fuel and hydraulic tests5.6Taxi tests5.7Preparation for first flight5.8Safety in ground testing5.9Compliance reports5.10Case study: pre-first-flight checklist
6.1Organisation of a flight test programme6.2Flight test instrumentation6.3Telemetry according to IRIG 1066.4Test point planning6.5Test hazard analysis6.6Flying qualities testing6.7Avionics and mission systems testing6.8Data reduction and analysis6.9Flight test reports6.10Practical exercise: test card for an envelope point
7.1DO-178C and DO-254 in integration7.2Structural coverage of software7.3Tool qualification to DO-3307.4FHA, PSSA and SSA analyses7.5FMEA and fault trees7.6Discrepancy management7.7Stage of involvement audits7.8Evidence package7.9Certification dossier7.10Case study: closing an integration discrepancy
8.1Description of the integrated system8.2Applicable certification basis8.3Compliance matrix8.4Environmental and EMC test plan8.5Rig integration plan8.6Ground and flight test plan8.7Programme risk management8.8Schedule and resources8.9Report 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 IBM DOORS, dSPACE, MATLAB/Simulink, NI LabVIEW and IADS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures: environmental testing to DO-160G, hardware-in-the-loop testing on an integration rig and instrumented flight testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: SAE ARP4754B, RTCA DO-160G, MIL-STD-810H, SAE ARP4761A, MIL-STD-461G, MIL-STD-464D, MIL-STD-704F, IRIG 106.
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 IBM DOORS, dSPACE, MATLAB/Simulink, NI LabVIEW and IADS, 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.
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