Diploma in International Humanitarian Law and Technology
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in international humanitarian law and technology, structured in 8 modules covering IHL principles, Article 36 legal review, autonomy in defence systems, cyberspace, outer space, AI and data, and emerging technologies, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in International Humanitarian Law and Technology — studying from the United States
Defense engineering is a major pillar of the American economy, with strong clusters in Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Connecticut and California. Prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems Inc. develop land, air and naval systems for the Department of Defense. Work spans vehicle design, weapons integration, survivability and secure systems, governed by strict security and procurement rules. Engineers in this field often hold or pursue security clearances, which shapes career paths and project access.
Fees for the United States: 1,670 US$ (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is the programme taught in English?
Yes. All programmes are taught in English, with technical materials and assessments delivered in that language.
Can I study from any state?
Yes. Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in the United States with a reliable internet connection.
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
Apply the principles of IHL to new technologies.
Carry out legal reviews in accordance with Article 36.
Analyse the legal debate on autonomy in defence.
Assess how IHL applies to cyberspace.
Know the legal framework governing outer space.
Evaluate the risks that AI and data pose to the civilian population.
Analyse pre-emptive prohibitions and emerging technologies.
Who it's for
- Legal advisers in humanitarian law.
- Defence policy analysts.
- Researchers in international law.
- Officials responsible for the legal review of weapons.
- Technology ethics consultants.
- Delegates to international bodies.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into defence.
What you'll work with
- 1949 Geneva Conventions (core treaties of international humanitarian law)
- 1977 Additional Protocol I (including Article 36 legal review)
- Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW framework for weapons restrictions)
- CCW Protocol IV (blinding laser weapons)
- CCW Protocol III (incendiary weapons)
- DoD Directive 3000.09 (US policy on autonomy in weapon systems)
- Outer Space Treaty (legal framework for outer space)
- Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (2022) (protection of civilians in urban warfare)
- ICRC IHL Database
- Zotero
- vLex
8 modules
1.1Sources of IHL1.2Principle of distinction1.3Principle of proportionality1.4Principle of precaution1.5Military necessity1.6Principle of humanity1.7The Martens Clause1.8Combatant status1.9Civilian objects1.10Practical exercise: applying the principles to a case
2.1Article 36 of Additional Protocol I2.2ICRC guide to legal review2.3National review practices2.4Review methodology2.5Use of test data2.6Means and methods of warfare2.7CCW prohibitions2.8Documentation2.9Review throughout the life cycle2.10Case study: review of a decision-support system
3.1Definitions of autonomy3.2Work of the CCW GGE3.3Meaningful human control3.4The 2021 ICRC position3.5DoD Directive 3000.093.6Predictability and reliability3.7Individual and state responsibility3.82023 Political Declaration on military AI3.9Proposals for a legal instrument3.10Case study: analysis of national positions
4.1Tallinn Manual 2.04.2The notion of attack in cyberspace4.3Civilian infrastructure4.4Data as a protected object4.5Proportionality of effects4.6Indirect effects4.7Neutrality4.8Attribution4.9Protection of hospitals4.10Workshop: cyber operation scenario and IHL
5.1Outer Space Treaty5.2Woomera Manual5.3MILAMOS Manual5.4Dual-use satellites5.5Space debris5.6Anti-satellite test moratorium5.7Distinction in space5.8Neutrality5.9United Nations resolutions5.10Case study: humanitarian impact of debris
6.1AI in decision support6.2Algorithmic bias6.3Automated recognition6.4Personal data6.5Protection of the civilian population6.6Intelligence and privacy6.7Disinformation6.8Use by humanitarian actors6.9Principles of responsible use6.10Case study: AI in humanitarian aid
7.1Human enhancement7.2Neurotechnologies7.3Synthetic biology7.4Legal framework for directed energy7.5Protocol IV on blinding laser weapons7.6Protocol III on incendiary weapons7.7Declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas7.8Pre-emptive prohibitions7.9Future trends7.10Case study: Protocol IV as a pre-emptive prohibition
8.1Selection of the technology8.2Technical description8.3Applicable IHL principles8.4Article 36 review8.5Humanitarian risks8.6International positions8.7Recommendations8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, 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 texts and applied exercises. The working software is the ICRC IHL Database, Zotero and vLex, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: legal reviews of new technologies, analysis of cyberspace scenarios and comparative study of national positions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: 1949 Geneva Conventions, 1977 Additional Protocol I, Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, CCW Protocol IV, CCW Protocol III, DoD Directive 3000.09, Outer Space Treaty, Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (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.
- An 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 the ICRC IHL Database, Zotero and vLex, 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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