Master’s in Aerospace/Defence Compliance
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in aerospace and defence compliance. 12 modules covering the aerospace and defence regulatory framework, systems engineering, certifiable software, sector quality, military environmental testing, military and space EMC, space standards, export control, information security and cyber security, programme and contract management, and sustainment, applied to RTCA DO-178C, SAE ARP4754A and EN 9100 with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Aerospace/Defence Compliance — studying from the United Kingdom
Electronics and telecommunications form a significant part of the UK technology economy, with clusters in Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and the South East. Semiconductor design firms, defence electronics suppliers, telecom operators and Internet of Things companies all require embedded systems and communications engineers. Arm, headquartered in Cambridge, is a notable example of the design sector. Engineers work on hardware, firmware, signal processing and network infrastructure, often within regulated frameworks for radio and telecoms equipment.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £6,600 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies recognise electronics, embedded systems and telecom qualifications?
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is the main UK body for electronics, embedded systems and telecoms, and the British Computer Society (BCS) covers embedded software. Chartered and incorporated engineer titles are regulated through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so you should check with the IET how your study would be assessed.
Do UK electronics and telecoms employers hire people with private online qualifications?
UK electronics, semiconductor, telecoms and embedded systems employers usually assess candidates on practical design skill, hardware and software projects, and experience. A private qualification may help show specialist learning, but how much it counts depends on each employer. A portfolio of working embedded or telecoms projects is often decisive.
Is it realistic to study this online while working in the UK, and what level of English is needed?
Online study means you can keep your UK job and study from home, with no student visa required. Teaching is in English, so you need solid technical English. Your assigned technical tutor will help you plan your work. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers offer training support, which varies by employer. Compare the programme hours with your schedule 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 civil, military and space regulatory framework.
Apply systems engineering processes and certifiable software development.
Implement EN 9100 quality systems.
Plan military environmental and EMC testing.
Apply ECSS space standards.
Manage dual-use export control.
Integrate cyber security, sustainment and programme management.
Who it's for
- Aerospace compliance engineers.
- Certification engineers.
- Export control managers.
- Aerospace quality engineers.
- Equipment qualification engineers.
- Aerospace programme managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the aeronautical sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- EN 9100 (quality management for aviation, space and defence)
- MIL-STD-810H (environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests)
- MIL-STD-461G (control of electromagnetic interference characteristics)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- ECSS-Q-ST-60C (EEE components for space)
- RTCA DO-326A (airworthiness security process)
- IBM DOORS
- LDRA Testbed
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- Polarion
- SAP
12 modules
1.1Civil aviation versus defence systems1.2Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and EASA1.3Military airworthiness and EMAR1.4National airworthiness authorities1.5Spanish Ministry of Defence and INTA1.6Defence acquisition life cycle1.7Professional ethics in the sector1.8Manufacturer liability1.9Standardisation bodies1.10Case study: regulatory map of a dual-use aeronautical programme
2.1ARP4754A and systems development2.2Requirements and validation2.3Function allocation2.4Interfaces between systems2.5Integration and verification2.6MBSE in aerospace programmes2.7Configuration management (EIA-649)2.8SRR, PDR and CDR programme reviews2.9Contractual documentation2.10Practical exercise: review plan for a subsystem
3.1DO-178C and its objectives3.2Software levels3.3PSAC, SDP and SVP plans3.4High-level and low-level requirements3.5MC/DC structural coverage3.6DO-330 tool qualification3.7DO-331 model-based development3.8DO-332 object-oriented technology3.9DO-333 formal methods3.10Lab: MC/DC coverage analysis
4.1EN 9100 and its structure4.2Product risk management4.3First article inspection (EN 9102)4.4Supplier control4.5Counterfeit parts prevention4.6Product safety4.7Human factors in production4.8Nadcap audits and approval4.9Quality indicators4.10Practical exercise: first article inspection
5.1MIL-STD-810H and tailoring philosophy5.2Temperature and altitude tests5.3Vibration and shock5.4Rain, humidity and salt fog5.5Sand and dust5.6Combined tests5.7Life cycle environmental profile5.8Test planning5.9Interpreting results5.10Case study: environmental life profile of a portable unit
6.1MIL-STD-461G6.2Conducted and radiated emissions6.3Conducted and radiated susceptibility6.4MIL-STD-464 at system level6.5ECSS EMC standards6.6Lightning protection6.7Testing at an external test laboratory6.8Design for compliance6.9Troubleshooting failures6.10Lab: MIL-STD-461 test plan
7.1ECSS standards7.2ECSS-Q product assurance7.3EEE components and ESCC7.4Radiation and its effects on electronics7.5Thermal vacuum testing7.6Launcher vibration testing7.7Cleanliness and contamination7.8Space project reviews7.9Space debris regulations7.10Practical exercise: product assurance plan for a CubeSat
8.1Dual-use items8.2Regulation (EU) 2021/8218.3EU Common Military List8.4Spanish regulations on foreign trade in defence material8.5US ITAR and EAR regulations8.6Product classification8.7Licences and authorisations8.8Internal compliance programmes8.9Sanctions and embargoes8.10Case study: classification of a dual-use component
9.1Protection of classified information9.2Industrial security in defence programmes9.3Aeronautical cyber security (DO-326A)9.4ED-202A and ED-203A9.5Supply chain cyber security9.6Spanish National Security Framework (ENS)9.7Incident management9.8Staff training9.9Security audits9.10Workshop: aeronautical cyber security risk analysis
10.1Defence and aerospace contracts10.2Contractual quality requirements10.3Earned value management10.4Programme risk management10.5Offsets and industrial participation10.6European cooperation programmes10.7European Defence Fund10.8Intellectual property10.9Supplier management10.10Practical exercise: contractual compliance matrix
11.1Integrated logistic support11.2Logistic support analysis11.3Obsolescence management11.4Maintenance and Part 14511.5Continued airworthiness11.6Sustainability and REACH11.7Demilitarisation and end of life11.8S1000D technical data11.9Availability indicators11.10Case study: obsolescence management plan
12.1Product and regulatory context12.2Analysis of applicable standards12.3Certification or qualification plan12.4Test strategy12.5Quality plan12.6Export control12.7Risks and compliance12.8Roadmap12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online 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 IBM DOORS, LDRA Testbed, Cameo Systems Modeler, Polarion and SAP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for environmental tests to MIL-STD-810, EMC tests to MIL-STD-461 and EN 9100 quality audits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-178C, SAE ARP4754A, EN 9100, MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461G, Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual use), ECSS-Q-ST-60C, RTCA DO-326A.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with IBM DOORS, LDRA Testbed, Cameo Systems Modeler, Polarion and SAP, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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