Diploma in Supplier Development and Advanced APQP
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in supplier development and advanced APQP. 8 modules covering supplier quality fundamentals, IATF 16949 and core tool requirements, supplier selection, APQP in practice, MSA and capability, PPAP and launch, supplier development and an integrative case study, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Supplier Development and Advanced APQP — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a strong medical technology and healthcare engineering base, with research in biomechanics, medical devices and wearables across universities and companies in London, Oxford, Leeds and Glasgow. The NHS, medical device manufacturers and digital health firms require engineers who understand clinical requirements and regulatory compliance. Operational safety in workplaces, transport and sport drives work on human factors and ergonomics. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medical devices, and the Health and Safety Executive oversees workplace safety.
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
Will this qualification be recognised by UK professional bodies such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers?
SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and they are not accredited by any national body. Professional bodies such as the IET or IMechE decide whether to accept training for membership, usually through their own assessment of your experience and learning. Chartered Engineer status is awarded by the Engineering Council via licensed professional engineering institutions. Check directly with the relevant body before you enrol.
Will UK employers in healthcare technology, wearables or occupational safety value this training on a CV?
Employers decide for themselves how much weight to give a private qualification. Many value evidence of specialist skills, such as a completed final project and demonstrable work on biomechanics or wearable sensor systems, more than the name of the provider. Recognition is not guaranteed, so review relevant job adverts and ask prospective employers how they view online private training before committing.
Can I complete this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and does my employer need to fund it?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study at your own pace around work and across UK time zones. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, though you should agree arrangements with your employer in advance.
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 role of supplier quality and the core tools across the product life cycle.
Apply IATF 16949, AIAG APQP and VDA 6.3 to supplier management.
Select and assess suppliers using risk-based segmentation and potential analysis.
Plan and run APQP with linked FMEAs and control plans.
Carry out MSA and capability studies with Minitab.
Review PPAP and VDA 2 submissions and manage safe launch.
Lead supplier development programmes and structured problem solving.
Who it's for
- Supplier quality engineers.
- Purchasing and sourcing engineers.
- Quality managers in manufacturing companies.
- APQP and launch managers.
- Process engineers at tier suppliers.
- Process and supplier auditors.
- Engineering graduates seeking to enter supplier quality.
What you'll work with
- IATF 16949 (automotive quality management)
- ISO 9001 (quality management systems)
- AIAG APQP and Control Plan
- AIAG PPAP
- AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook
- AIAG MSA and SPC manuals
- VDA 6.3 (process audit)
- VDA 2 (production process and product approval)
- AIAG CQI special process assessments
- ISO 19011 (auditing management systems)
- Minitab
- APIS IQ-FMEA
- MS Project
- Power BI
- SAP QM
8 modules
1.1Supplier quality in the value chain1.2APQP phases and gates1.3Core tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC and control plan1.4Customer-specific requirements1.5Supplier development versus supplier monitoring1.6Product and process risk1.7Make-or-buy and sourcing decisions1.8Supplier quality terminology1.9Typical launch failures1.10Exercise: launch risk assessment
2.1IATF 16949: control of externally provided products2.2ISO 9001 foundations2.3AIAG APQP and Control Plan manual2.4AIAG PPAP manual2.5VDA 2 production process and product approval2.6VDA 6.3 process audit2.7CQI special process assessments2.8Audit principles (ISO 19011)2.9OEM customer-specific requirements2.10Exercise: requirements matrix
3.1Potential analysis (VDA 6.3)3.2Capability and capacity assessment3.3Risk-based supplier segmentation3.4Financial and geopolitical risk3.5Sustainability due diligence in the supply chain3.6Quotation and technical feasibility3.7Supplier scorecards3.8Supplier nomination3.9Dual sourcing strategies3.10Exercise: supplier assessment
4.1Programme timing and planning4.2Design inputs and feasibility4.3Linking DFMEA and PFMEA4.4Process flow and PFMEA4.5Prelaunch and production control plans4.6Special characteristics4.7Capacity verification and run at rate4.8Gate reviews4.9Digital APQP tools4.10Exercise: APQP plan for a new part
5.1Gauge R&R, bias and linearity5.2Attribute agreement analysis5.3SPC control charts5.4Process capability: Cp, Cpk and Ppk5.5Initial process studies5.6Analysis in Minitab5.7Sampling plans5.8Capability of special characteristics5.9Reaction plans5.10Exercise: capability study
6.1PPAP elements and submission levels6.2Comparison with VDA 26.3Run at rate6.4Safe launch and early containment6.5Part submission warrant6.6Change management and requalification6.7Customer-owned tooling and gauges6.8Sub-tier supplier control6.9PPAP review checklist6.10Exercise: PPAP review
7.1Supplier development programmes7.28D and structured problem solving7.3VDA 6.3 process audits7.4Lean supplier development7.5Escalation and controlled shipping7.6Supplier KPIs: PPM and delivery7.7Cost reduction and value analysis7.8Supplier relationship management7.9Supplier exit and resourcing7.10Exercise: supplier development plan
8.1Definition of the case and success criteria8.2Collection of input data and requirements8.3Work planning and deliverables8.4Technical development guided by the tutor8.5Application of the regulatory framework to the case8.6Verification of results and critical analysis8.7Documentation of the deliverable8.8Technical defence and peer review8.9Lessons learned and continuous improvement8.10Final project: final assessment and programme close-out
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 you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Minitab, APIS IQ-FMEA, MS Project, Power BI and SAP QM, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures from a supplier quality engineering workshop, a measurement systems analysis lab and a PPAP documentation environment. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, AIAG APQP and Control Plan, AIAG PPAP, AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook, AIAG MSA and SPC manuals, VDA 6.3, VDA 2, AIAG CQI special process assessments, ISO 19011.
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 able to run 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 Minitab, APIS IQ-FMEA, MS Project, Power BI and SAP QM, 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 is required), plus 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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