Diploma in MIL Standards for Composites Manufacturing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in MIL standards for composites manufacturing, structured in 8 modules covering the composites regulatory framework (CMH-17), material qualification, manufacturing process control, standardised ASTM testing, non-destructive inspection, aerospace quality systems (AS9100D, NADCAP AC7118) and structural certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in MIL Standards for Composites Manufacturing — 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: £910 (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 military and aerospace regulatory framework for composites.
Plan material qualification programmes.
Control manufacturing processes in a traceable way.
Apply ASTM tests for composite materials.
Interpret non-destructive inspections of laminates.
Implement AS9100 and NADCAP quality systems.
Justify allowables for structural certification.
Who it's for
- Composite materials engineers in defence and aerospace.
- Aerospace quality engineers.
- Non-destructive testing inspectors.
- Composites process engineers.
- Material qualification managers.
- NADCAP auditors.
- 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 D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites)
- ASTM D7137 (compressive residual strength after impact)
- NAS 410 (certification of NDT personnel)
- JSSG-2006 (US DoD joint service specification for aircraft structures)
- FAA AC 20-107B (composite aircraft structure)
- CMH17-STATS
- Minitab
- Siemens Fibersim
- Zetec UltraVision
8 modules
1.1From MIL-HDBK-17 to CMH-171.2Material specifications1.3Process specifications1.4SAE AMS specifications1.5Qualification versus acceptance1.6The NCAMP programme1.7Shared databases1.8A-basis and B-basis allowables1.9Material equivalence1.10Practical exercise: structure of a material specification
2.1Qualification test programmes2.2Batches, panels and cure cycles2.3RTD and ETW environmental conditions2.4Statistical calculation of B-basis values2.5The CMH17-STATS tool2.6Variability control2.7Reproducibility between manufacturers2.8Manufacturing equivalence2.9Qualification documentation2.10Laboratory: calculation of B-basis values for a test series
3.1Receipt of prepregs3.2Storage and out-time3.3Controlled clean room3.4Lay-up and ply orientation3.5Vacuum bagging3.6Autoclave cycle3.7Thermocouples and cure recording3.8Traceability of records3.9Statistical process control3.10Case study: deviation in a cure cycle
4.1Tensile testing to ASTM D30394.2Flexural testing to ASTM D72644.3Interlaminar shear to ASTM D23444.4V-notch shear to ASTM D53794.5Open-hole tension to ASTM D57664.6Compression after impact to ASTM D71374.7Glass transition temperature to ASTM D70284.8Fibre content to ASTM D31714.9Moisture absorption to ASTM D52294.10Workshop: batch acceptance test plan
5.1C-scan ultrasonic testing5.2Phased array ultrasonic testing5.3Active thermography5.4Shearography5.5Digital radiography5.6Reference standards5.7Acceptance criteria5.8NAS 410 inspector certification5.9Inspection of repairs5.10Practical exercise: interpretation of a C-scan
6.1The AS9100D standard6.2NADCAP AC7118 accreditation6.3AQAP-2110 requirements6.4Material traceability6.5AS9102 first article inspection6.6Non-conformities6.7Material review board6.8Customer audits6.9Supplier control6.10Case study: preparing for a NADCAP audit
7.1The building block approach7.2Damage tolerance7.3Barely visible impact damage7.4Environmental effects7.5JSSG-2006 requirements7.6FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-107B7.7Structural repairs7.8Lightning strike protection7.9Bolted and bonded joints7.10Case study: justification of allowables for a panel
8.1Definition of the part and material8.2Applicable specifications8.3Qualification plan8.4Process control plan8.5Test plan8.6Inspection plan8.7Statistical analysis8.8Quality documentation8.9Report 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 CMH17-STATS, Minitab, Siemens Fibersim and Zetec UltraVision, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for prepreg qualification tests, C-scan ultrasonic inspection and autoclave cure cycle control. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: CMH-17, AS9100D, NADCAP AC7118, ASTM D3039, ASTM D7137, NAS 410, JSSG-2006, FAA AC 20-107B.
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 CMH17-STATS, Minitab, Siemens Fibersim and Zetec UltraVision, 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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