Postgraduate Diploma in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases. 8 modules with ISO 26262:2018, ISO 21448:2022 and Ansys medini analyze. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases — studying from the United States
The United States is a major center for autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems, with significant activity in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas. Automakers, technology firms and specialized startups develop sensor fusion, perception, planning and vehicle software platforms. The shift toward software-defined vehicles is reshaping traditional engineering roles and increasing demand for embedded software, cybersecurity and systems engineering talent. Federal and state rules on testing and safety create a demanding environment where validation and standards expertise is highly valued.
Fees for the United States: US$1,220 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US bodies and rules govern autonomous and ADAS vehicle engineering?
In the US, NHTSA sets federal vehicle safety standards and has issued guidance on automated driving systems, while states regulate testing and operation on public roads. SAE International's levels of driving automation are the common industry reference. Professional engineering licensure is handled by state boards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or relevant bodies to decide.
Do US employers in autonomous driving and software-defined vehicles recognize private engineering qualifications?
US companies working on ADAS and software-defined vehicles, including automakers, Tier 1 suppliers and technology firms, mainly look for software, controls and safety-engineering experience. A private qualification can document specialist study, but it is not a standard hiring requirement and its value is assessed by each employer. Projects, code samples and relevant prior roles usually carry more weight.
Can I study autonomous and software-defined vehicle topics from the US alongside my job?
Yes. The programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Expect a significant time commitment: about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees may be paid in instalments, and some employers fund training, which you should discuss with your employer.
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
Integrate the ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 lifecycles into a single plan.
Carry out joint and coherent hazard analyses.
Define architectures and requirements that cover faults and insufficiencies.
Plan combined verifications with reusable evidence.
Build safety cases using GSN notation.
Integrate functional safety, SOTIF and cybersecurity branches.
Prepare dossiers for independent assessment and type approval.
Who it's for
- Functional safety engineer who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- SOTIF engineer who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- Safety case lead who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- Safety assessor who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- ADAS systems architect who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- Homologation consultant who wants to specialise in SOTIF+Functional Integration with Safety Cases.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join automotive manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262:2018
- ISO 21448:2022
- UL 4600
- ISO/TS 5083:2025
- GSN Community Standard v3
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15026-2
- ISO/SAE 21434:2021
- Reglamento (UE) 2022/1426
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Systematic and random faults and insufficiencies1.2ISO 26262 lifecycle1.3ISO 21448 iterative cycle1.4Interface points between both standards1.5Item, function and element out of context1.6Integrated safety plan1.7Management of joint confirmation1.8Roles and competences of the safety team1.9Common errors in integrated projects1.10Case study: map of shared work products
2.1HARA and SOTIF analysis in parallel2.2Hazards from malfunction and from limitation2.3Unified severity classification2.4Common operating scenarios2.5Foreseeable misuse in both analyses2.6Safety goals and acceptance criteria2.7Consolidation of safety measures2.8Tools for hazard management2.9Review and approval of the analysis2.10Workshop: joint analysis of an urban AEB
3.1Functional safety concept3.2Technical and performance requirements3.3Redundancy, diversity and controlled degradation3.4Plausibility monitors3.5Allocation to hardware and software3.6Management of perception uncertainty3.7Doer-checker architectures3.8Driver interfaces and alerts3.9Bidirectional requirements traceability3.10Practice: safety architecture of a lane keeping system
4.1Layered verification strategy4.2Fault injection tests4.3Scenario-based tests4.4Coverage of requirements and scenarios4.5FMEA and FTA of the system4.6Common cause analysis4.7Regression tests after changes4.8Reusable verification evidence4.9Management of non-conformities4.10Laboratory: fault injection campaign on HIL
5.1Concept of a safety case5.2Claims, arguments and evidence5.3Common argumentation structures5.4GSN notation: goals, strategies and solutions5.5Context, assumptions and justifications5.6Reusable argument patterns5.7Modular arguments and contracts5.8Confidence in evidence5.9Argument editing tools5.10Workshop: top-level GSN argument
6.1Functional safety branch6.2SOTIF branch and residual risk6.3Safety-relevant cybersecurity branch6.4Process and competence argument6.5Integration with UL 46006.6Management of defeaters and counterarguments6.7Safety performance indicators6.8Maintaining the case during operation6.9Preparation for external audit6.10Case study: safety case of a robotaxi
7.1Functional safety assessment7.2Process audit and confirmations7.3Independent assessment under UL 46007.4Requirements of Regulation (EU) 2022/14267.5Technical file for the authority7.6Interaction with technical services7.7Management of findings and corrective actions7.8Supplier management and DIA7.9Liability and legal documentation7.10Practice: mock audit of a safety case
8.1Definition of the item and its ODD8.2Joint hazard analysis8.3Safety concept8.4Combined verification plan8.5Complete GSN argument8.6Confidence assessment8.7Case maintenance plan8.8Assessment report8.9Dissertation and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys medini analyze, Astah System Safety, Adelard ASCE, IBM DOORS Next, Vector PREEvision, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real fault injection procedures on HIL benches, scenario-based verification in simulation and safety case audits. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Integrate the ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 lifecycles into a single plan.
Carry out joint and coherent hazard analyses.
Define architectures and requirements that cover faults and insufficiencies.
Plan combined verifications with reusable evidence.
Build safety cases using GSN notation.
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.
- Sufficient English to follow the reading of 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 consists of 800 total hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Ansys medini analyze, Astah System Safety, Adelard ASCE, IBM DOORS Next, Vector PREEvision. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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