Diploma in Batch Automation and Clean Utilities
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in batch automation and clean utilities: 8 modules covering batch process control, recipe and phase design, DCS and PLC implementation, batch records and traceability, pharmaceutical water, pure steam, gases and clean air, and clean utilities automation under ANSI/ISA-88.00.01-2010, IEC 61512-1 and ANSI/ISA-88.00.02-2001, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Batch Automation and Clean Utilities — studying from South Africa
Robotics and automation are growing in South African manufacturing, mining and logistics, where companies seek to improve productivity and safety. Automotive plants, food processors and mining operations use industrial robots, programmable logic controllers and process automation systems. Universities such as Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria research robotics and control theory. Engineers in this field combine electrical, mechanical and software skills to design and integrate automated systems.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Professional engineering registration in South Africa is through ECSA, which assesses accredited training and experience. Whether a private SEIUM qualification is recognised is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm acceptance before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in robotics and automation?
Manufacturing, mining, logistics and automation integrators in South Africa often value applied skills in control systems, programming and integration. A private qualification may support your CV, particularly with practical projects, but it is not state-recognised. Its value depends on each employer's view, so ask potential employers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Check time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM directly.
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 ISA-88 physical and procedural models.
Design modular, reusable recipes and phases.
Implement batch phases in DCS and PLC systems.
Manage electronic batch records and material genealogy.
Control pharmaceutical water systems in line with the European Pharmacopoeia.
Automate pure steam, gases and cleanroom HVAC.
Integrate clean utilities into GMP monitoring systems.
Who it's for
- Batch process control engineers.
- Pharmaceutical automation engineers.
- Utilities engineers.
- DCS specialists.
- MES systems engineers.
- Plant engineering managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to move into the pharmaceutical industry.
What you'll work with
- ANSI/ISA-88.00.01-2010 (batch control models and terminology)
- IEC 61512-1 (batch control models and terminology)
- ANSI/ISA-88.00.02-2001 (batch data structures and recipe guidelines)
- European Pharmacopoeia monograph 0169 (water for injections)
- EudraLex Volume 4 Annex 1 (manufacture of sterile medicinal products)
- ISO 14644-1:2015 (cleanroom classification)
- EN 285:2015 (large steam sterilisers)
- ISPE Baseline Guide Water and Steam Systems (pharmaceutical water and steam design)
- Siemens SIMATIC BATCH
- Rockwell FactoryTalk Batch
- Emerson DeltaV Batch
- AVEVA Batch Management
- OSIsoft PI System
8 modules
1.1Continuous, discrete and batch processes1.2ISA-88 physical model1.3Procedural and control models1.4Units, equipment modules and control modules1.5Phase states and modes1.6General, site, master and control recipes1.7Separation between recipe and equipment1.8Batch system architectures1.9Benefits of modularity1.10Case study: ISA-88 physical model of a syrup plant
2.1Definition of equipment phases2.2Recipe parameters and formulas2.3Unit procedures and operations2.4Transitions and conditions2.5Dynamic unit allocation2.6Material management and dosing2.7Integrated cleaning recipes2.8Recipe editors in SIMATIC BATCH and FactoryTalk Batch2.9Recipe versioning and approval2.10Workshop: master recipe for a blend with three phases
3.1Programming phases in the controller3.2PLI interface between phase and batch manager3.3Arbitration of shared resources3.4Exception and hold management3.5Alarms and messages per phase3.6HMI integration3.7Phase simulation3.8Batch software testing3.9Functional documentation3.10Laboratory: heating phase with ISA-88 states
4.1Electronic batch record (EBR)4.2Parameter historisation4.3Material genealogy4.4Integration with MES and ERP4.5Review by exception4.6Data integrity in batch records4.7Electronic signatures in operations4.8Batch reports4.9Parametric release4.10Practical exercise: electronic batch report with deviations
5.1Purified water and water for injections grades5.2European Pharmacopoeia monographs5.3Pretreatment and reverse osmosis5.4Electrodeionisation and distillation5.5Distribution loops and temperature5.6Thermal and ozone sanitisation5.7TOC and conductivity monitoring5.8Hygienic loop design5.9Water system qualification5.10Case study: control of a purified water loop
6.1Clean steam generation6.2Steam quality according to EN 2856.3Compressed air for product contact6.4Nitrogen and process gases6.5HVAC systems for cleanrooms6.6Cleanroom classification according to ISO 14644-16.7Differential pressures and cascades6.8Environmental monitoring6.9BMS and EMS systems6.10Practical exercise: pressure cascade control logic
7.1Control of water and steam generators7.2Control loops and tuning7.3Critical alarms and their management7.4Integration of utilities into the DCS7.5GMP records for utilities7.6Predictive maintenance of utilities7.7Energy efficiency in utilities7.8Qualification of monitoring systems7.9Change management in utilities7.10Case study: integrating utilities into a monitoring system
8.1Description of the process and product8.2Proposed ISA-88 model8.3Recipe and phase design8.4Implementation and simulation8.5Batch record and traceability8.6Clean utilities design8.7Qualification plan8.8Evaluation of results8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens SIMATIC BATCH, Rockwell FactoryTalk Batch, Emerson DeltaV Batch, AVEVA Batch Management and OSIsoft PI System, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: design of an ISA-88 master recipe, programming phases with standardised states, and control and monitoring of a purified water loop. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ANSI/ISA-88.00.01-2010, IEC 61512-1, ANSI/ISA-88.00.02-2001, European Pharmacopoeia monograph 0169, EudraLex Volume 4 Annex 1, ISO 14644-1:2015, EN 285:2015, ISPE Baseline Guide Water and Steam Systems.
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.
- 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 Siemens SIMATIC BATCH, Rockwell FactoryTalk Batch, Emerson DeltaV Batch, AVEVA Batch Management and OSIsoft PI System, 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 capable of running 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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