Diploma in DO-178C/DO-254 for Critical Software
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in DO-178C/DO-254 for critical software, structured in 8 modules covering the certification framework, software planning, development and verification processes, supplements DO-330 to DO-333, complex electronic hardware and certification audits, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in DO-178C/DO-254 for Critical Software — 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: £1,490 (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
Understand the DO-178C and DO-254 certification framework.
Draw up the software certification plans.
Apply development processes with full traceability.
Carry out the verification required at each level.
Use the supplements on tools, models and formal methods.
Certify complex electronic hardware.
Prepare for audits by the authority.
Who it's for
- Software certification engineers.
- Verification engineers.
- FPGA hardware engineers.
- Software quality managers.
- Requirements engineers.
- DO-178C consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into aeronautics.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems certification)
- RTCA DO-254 (design assurance for airborne electronic hardware)
- RTCA DO-330 (software tool qualification)
- RTCA DO-331 (model-based development and verification)
- RTCA DO-333 (formal methods)
- EASA AMC 20-193 (use of multicore processors)
- EASA AMC 20-152A (development assurance for airborne electronic hardware)
- FAA AC 20-115D (airborne software development assurance using EUROCAE ED-12 and RTCA DO-178)
- IBM DOORS
- LDRA Tool Suite
- VectorCAST
- Ansys SCADE Suite
- Siemens Questa
8 modules
1.1Evolution from DO-178 to DO-178C1.2European equivalent ED-12C1.3Relationship with ARP4754B1.4Assurance levels A to E1.5EASA AMC 20-115D1.6FAA AC 20-115D1.7Objectives by level1.8Annex A tables1.9Authorities and delegations1.10Practical exercise: determining the level of a piece of software
2.1The PSAC2.2Software development plan2.3Software verification plan2.4Software configuration management plan2.5Software quality assurance plan2.6Requirements, design and code standards2.7Transition criteria2.8Software reuse2.9Coordination with the authority2.10Workshop: drafting a PSAC
3.1High-level requirements3.2Low-level requirements3.3Software architecture3.4Coding3.5Traceability3.6Derived requirements3.7Partitioning3.8Integration3.9Development reviews3.10Case study: requirements traceability
4.1Reviews and analyses4.2Requirements-based testing4.3Structural coverage4.4Independence4.5Hardware-software integration4.6Verification of verification4.7Problem reports4.8Software Accomplishment Summary4.9Software Configuration Index4.10Laboratory: structural coverage analysis
5.1DO-330 tool qualification5.2DO-331 model-based development5.3DO-332 object-oriented technology5.4DO-333 formal methods5.5CAST papers5.6AMC 20-193 multicore processors5.7Commercial software5.8Previously developed software5.9Libraries and operating systems5.10Case study: TQL of a tool
6.1Hardware life cycle6.2The PHAC6.3Hardware requirements6.4Conceptual and detailed design6.5FPGA implementation6.6Hardware verification6.7Elemental analysis6.8EASA AMC 20-152A6.9Commercial IP cores6.10Laboratory: verification of an FPGA design
7.1Stages of involvement SOI 1 to 47.2Configuration management7.3Quality assurance7.4Open problem reports7.5Post-certification changes7.6Military application with MIL-HDBK-516C7.7Lessons learned7.8Certification costs7.9Process improvement7.10Case study: preparing for a SOI 2 audit
8.1System description8.2Assurance level8.3Certification plan8.4Development standards8.5Verification strategy8.6Tools and qualification8.7Configuration management8.8Accomplishment summary8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IBM DOORS, LDRA Tool Suite, VectorCAST, Ansys SCADE Suite and Siemens Questa, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: stage of involvement audits, structural coverage analysis and verification of programmable hardware. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-254, RTCA DO-330, RTCA DO-331, RTCA DO-333, EASA AMC 20-193, EASA AMC 20-152A, FAA AC 20-115D.
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.
- An 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, LDRA Tool Suite, VectorCAST, Ansys SCADE Suite and Siemens Questa, 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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