Ethics in the Design of Armoured Vehicles Course
Online course of 300 hours in ethics in armoured vehicle design. 6 modules covering armoured vehicles, crew protection, safety and people, use and law, industry and export, and a responsible design project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Ethics in the Design of Armoured Vehicles Course — 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: £537 (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
Describe the roles and types of armoured vehicles.
Prioritise crew protection in design.
Assess safety for third parties and the civilian population.
Analyse the legal framework governing the use of these vehicles.
Evaluate export and end-use risks.
Integrate human factors and ergonomics into design decisions.
Prepare a responsible design project for an armoured vehicle.
Who it's for
- Vehicle engineers.
- Protection engineers.
- Human factors engineers.
- Export control managers.
- System safety engineers.
- Technology ethics analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- STANAG 4569 (vehicle protection levels)
- AEP-55 (protection assessment procedures)
- MIL-STD-1472 (human factors engineering)
- MIL-STD-810 (environmental testing)
- Arms Trade Treaty (2013) (international arms trade)
- Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (EU military export control)
- Law 53/2007 (Spanish control of foreign trade in defence material)
- Ansys LS-DYNA
- SolidWorks
- RAMSIS
- MATLAB
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Types: main battle tanks, IFVs, 8×8 and MRAP1.2The design triangle: protection, mobility and firepower1.3Programmes: VCR 8×8 Dragón and Boxer1.4Development cycle and requirements1.5Ethics in weapon systems engineering1.6Responsibility of the designer1.7Crew protection as a value1.8Use in conflict and internal security1.9Groups affected by the design1.10Case study: lessons from the MRAP programme
2.1STANAG 4569 and protection levels2.2AEP-55 and test procedures2.3Protection against mines and improvised explosive devices2.4Energy-absorbing seats2.5Survivability and evacuation2.6Crew protection versus cost2.7Honest testing and verification2.8Human factors: MIL-STD-1472H2.9Blast injuries and long-term health2.10Practical exercise: analysis of the protection requirements of an 8×8
3.1Functional safety of vehicle systems3.2Ergonomics and anthropometric diversity3.3Accessibility for mixed crews3.4Noise, vibration and health3.5Interior air quality and toxicity3.6Rollover accidents and training3.7Maintenance and safety of technical staff3.8Defect reports and recalls3.9Safety culture at the manufacturer3.10Case study: analysis of rollover accidents
4.1International humanitarian law and armed vehicles4.2Article 36 legal review4.3Use of armoured vehicles in public order4.4UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force4.5Remote weapon stations and automation4.6Autonomy in ground vehicles4.7Protection of civilians in urban areas4.8Damage to civilian infrastructure4.9Incident investigation4.10Workshop: analysis of an incident involving armoured vehicles in an urban area
5.1Common Position 2008/944/CFSP5.2Arms Trade Treaty5.3Export of armoured vehicles to conflict zones5.4End use and re-export5.5Industrial offsets5.6Integrity in procurement5.7Sustainability: hybridisation and emissions5.8Demilitarisation and recycling5.9Corporate responsibility5.10Case study: controversy over the export of armoured vehicles
6.1Definition of the mission and requirements6.2Crew protection analysis6.3Human factors assessment6.4Safety analysis6.5Legal assessment of use6.6Export analysis6.7Environmental assessment6.8Design recommendations6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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 you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys LS-DYNA, SolidWorks, RAMSIS and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures: crew protection analysis, ergonomic studies and export licence reviews. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: STANAG 4569, AEP-55, MIL-STD-1472, MIL-STD-810, Arms Trade Treaty (2013), Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, Law 53/2007.
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
- No prior qualification 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys LS-DYNA, SolidWorks, RAMSIS and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, 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.
No prior qualification is required; you need 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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