Diploma in Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in post-irradiation examination (PIE): 8 modules covering hot cell facilities, non-destructive and destructive examinations, fission gas analysis, in-cell mechanical testing, radiochemistry and the use of PIE data, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) — 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 design and operation of hot cells.
Apply non-destructive examinations to irradiated fuel.
Analyse released fission gases.
Perform destructive and microstructural examinations.
Carry out mechanical tests remotely.
Determine burnup using radiochemical methods.
Make use of PIE data in validation and licensing.
Who it's for
- Hot cell technicians.
- Nuclear materials engineers.
- Radiochemists.
- Radiation protection specialists.
- Fuel researchers.
- Quality managers in nuclear laboratories.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to work in nuclear research centres.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E321 (determination of burnup by neodymium-148 method)
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
- IAEA SSR-6 (Rev. 1) (regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material)
- Royal Decree 1836/1999 (Spanish regulation on nuclear and radioactive facilities)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Spanish regulation on health protection against ionising radiation)
- MCNP
- ORIGEN
- Genie 2000
- ImageJ
8 modules
1.1Hot cell design1.2Biological shielding1.3Remote manipulators1.4Ventilation and negative pressure1.5Confinement1.6Waste management1.7Radiation protection1.8Transport in Type B packages1.9European reference facilities1.10Practical: simplified shielding calculation
2.1Remote visual inspection2.2Profilometry2.3Eddy currents2.4Axial gamma spectrometry2.5Neutron radiography2.6Length measurement2.7Oxide thickness measurement2.8Tomography2.9Preparation for puncturing2.10Lab: analysis of a gamma spectrum
3.1Rod puncturing3.2Free volume3.3Isotopic composition of krypton and xenon3.4Release fraction3.5Release models3.6Correlations with burnup3.7Safety implications3.8Quality control3.9Uncertainty3.10Case study: fission gas release fraction
4.1Cutting and preparation4.2Cladding metallography4.3Pellet ceramography4.4Optical microscopy4.5Scanning electron microscopy4.6Electron probe microanalysis4.7FIB lamella preparation4.8Density4.9Burnup according to ASTM E3214.10Workshop: in-cell metallography protocol
5.1Ring tensile testing5.2Burst tests5.3Miniaturised Charpy5.4Microhardness5.5Creep5.6Remote operation of machines5.7Hydrogen content5.8Specimen design5.9Remote calibration5.10Lab: interpretation of a ring tensile test
6.1Fuel dissolution6.2ICP-MS spectrometry6.3TIMS spectrometry6.4Burnup determination6.5Actinide analysis6.6Fission products6.7Radiochemical separations6.8Uncertainty6.9Data for codes6.10Case study: burnup from neodymium-148
7.1ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation7.2Sample traceability7.3Examination databases7.4Code validation7.5Licensing support7.6Waste management7.7International cooperation7.8Lessons learned7.9Process improvement7.10Case study: use of PIE data in code validation
8.1Campaign objective8.2Rod selection8.3Transport plan8.4Non-destructive examinations8.5Destructive examinations8.6Mechanical tests8.7Chemical analyses8.8Use of results8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MCNP, ORIGEN, Genie 2000 and ImageJ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for gamma spectrometry of fuel rods, rod puncturing and fission gas analysis, and hot cell metallography. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM E321, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, IAEA SSR-6 (Rev. 1), Royal Decree 1836/1999, Royal Decree 1029/2022.
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 MCNP, ORIGEN, Genie 2000 and ImageJ, 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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