Diploma in Field Additive Manufacturing Materials
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in materials for field (expeditionary) additive manufacturing. 8 modules covering expeditionary AM, thermoplastic polymers, composites, metals, characterisation and testing, environmental conditions and spare-part substitution, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Field Additive Manufacturing Materials — 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: £1,070 (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
Know the materials used in additive manufacturing in deployed environments.
Select polymers, composites and metals according to field requirements.
Assess the influence of environmental conditions on materials and processes.
Apply standardised characterisation tests.
Manage the storage and traceability of feedstock.
Evaluate the substitution of conventional spare parts.
Design materials catalogues for expeditionary manufacturing.
Who it's for
- Additive manufacturing materials engineers.
- Expeditionary manufacturing technicians.
- Spare-parts logistics engineers.
- Engineering polymer specialists.
- Product quality engineers.
- Defence R&D managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/ASTM 52900 (additive manufacturing terminology)
- ISO/ASTM 52907 (feedstock characterisation)
- ASTM F3049 (characterisation of metal powders)
- ASTM D638 (tensile properties of plastics)
- ISO 527 (tensile properties of plastics)
- ASTM F2971 (reporting data for additively manufactured test specimens)
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental testing)
- Ultimaker Cura
- Materialise Magics
- Autodesk Netfabb
- Granta MI
8 modules
1.1The point-of-need manufacturing concept1.2Experience from deployments1.3Manufacturing containers1.4Logistics constraints1.5The digital thread in the field1.6Critical and non-critical spare parts1.7Power and environmental conditions1.8Personnel and training1.9Health and safety1.10Case study: needs of a deployed unit
2.1PLA, ABS and PETG2.2Polyamides and their hygroscopicity2.3Polycarbonate2.4High-performance PEEK and PEKK2.5Ultem and polyetherimides2.6TPU elastomers2.7Temperature behaviour2.8Chemical resistance2.9Ultraviolet ageing2.10Lab: tensile testing to ISO 527
3.1Short carbon fibre3.2Continuous carbon and glass fibre3.3Aramid fibre3.4Anisotropy and orientation3.5Interlayer adhesion3.6Impact properties3.7Conductive composites3.8Flame-retardant composites3.9Post-processing3.10Practical exercise: comparing reinforced test specimens
4.1Stainless steel powders4.2Aluminium alloys4.3Titanium Ti-6Al-4V4.4Nickel alloys4.5Wire arc additive manufacturing4.6Cold spray4.7Bound metal extrusion4.8Sintering and post-processing4.9Safe handling of powders4.10Case study: selecting a field metal process
5.1Feedstock characterisation to ISO/ASTM 529075.2Particle size distribution and powder flowability5.3Moisture in filaments5.4Tensile and flexural testing5.5Impact testing5.6Hardness5.7Dimensional metrology5.8Reporting to ASTM F29715.9Property statistics5.10Lab: measuring moisture and drying filaments
6.1Extreme temperature and humidity6.2Dust and sand6.3Vibration during transport6.4Testing to MIL-STD-810H6.5Storage of feedstock6.6Shelf life of resins and powders6.7Cross-contamination6.8Climate control of the container6.9Waste management6.10Practical exercise: storage plan for a hot climate
7.1Reverse engineering of parts7.2Material equivalence7.3Qualification of printed parts7.4Digital spare-part catalogues7.5Material libraries7.6Configuration management7.7Intellectual property of designs7.8Cost versus logistics lead time7.9Lessons learned7.10Workshop: materials catalogue for a unit
8.1Identification of candidate spare parts8.2Service requirements8.3Material selection8.4Test plan8.5Environmental analysis8.6Storage procedure8.7Economic assessment8.8Implementation recommendations8.9Report 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 the 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 Ultimaker Cura, Materialise Magics, Autodesk Netfabb and Granta MI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: tensile testing of specimens printed in the field, assessment of moisture absorption in filaments and comparison of materials for a spare part. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO/ASTM 52900, ISO/ASTM 52907, ASTM F3049, ASTM D638, ISO 527, ASTM F2971, MIL-STD-810H.
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 Ultimaker Cura, Materialise Magics, Autodesk Netfabb and Granta MI, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in CFD Applied to Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in CFD applied to nuclear thermal-hydraulics. 8 modules covering reactor thermal-hydraulics, numerical methods, turbulence modelling, two-phase flow, component applications, multiscale…
Diploma in Ethics and International Law in CBRN
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics and international law in CBRN, structured in 8 modules covering CBRN risks, the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons…
Diploma in Fuel Cycle Economics
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in nuclear fuel cycle economics. 8 modules covering the economic stages of the cycle, uranium and services markets, fuel cost…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships