Diploma in Corrosion Phenomena in Nuclear Environments
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in corrosion phenomena in nuclear environments. 8 modules covering corrosion electrochemistry, water chemistry, primary circuit materials, steam generators, containment and structures, storage and waste, testing and ageing management (ASME BPVC Section XI, NUREG-1801), with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Corrosion Phenomena in Nuclear Environments — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
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
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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 electrochemistry to corrosion in nuclear environments.
Understand water chemistry control.
Analyse the corrosion of primary circuit materials.
Assess steam generator degradation.
Manage corrosion in structures and containment.
Analyse corrosion in storage and waste disposal.
Design testing and mitigation programmes.
Who it's for
- Nuclear corrosion engineers working on operating plants.
- Plant chemistry engineers responsible for primary and secondary water chemistry.
- Ageing management specialists preparing programmes under NUREG-1801.
- Materials engineers selecting alloys for nuclear service.
- Steam generator inspectors working with eddy current techniques.
- Corrosion researchers in nuclear materials and waste disposal.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection of nuclear power plant components)
- EPRI PWR Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines (primary coolant chemistry control)
- NUREG-1801 (Generic Aging Lessons Learned, GALL report)
- IAEA SSG-48 (ageing management and long-term operation of nuclear power plants)
- ASTM G5 (potentiodynamic anodic polarisation measurements)
- ASTM G31 (laboratory immersion corrosion testing)
- ISO 8044 (corrosion of metals and alloys: vocabulary)
- AMPP SP0169 (control of external corrosion on buried piping)
- OLI Studio
- COMSOL Multiphysics (Corrosion Module)
- Thermo-Calc
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Thermodynamics of corrosion1.2Pourbaix diagrams1.3Electrochemical kinetics1.4Passivity1.5Polarisation curves1.6Forms of corrosion1.7High-temperature corrosion1.8Water radiolysis1.9Electrochemical corrosion potential1.10Case study: Pourbaix diagram at operating temperature
2.1PWR primary chemistry2.2Boron, lithium and hydrogen control2.3BWR chemistry with hydrogen water chemistry2.4Noble metal addition2.5Zinc injection2.6pH control2.7Secondary chemistry2.8Corrosion products and CRUD2.9EPRI chemistry guidelines2.10Practical exercise: calculation of pH at operating temperature
3.1Stainless steels3.2Alloys 600 and 6903.3Carbon steels3.4Flow-accelerated corrosion3.5Boric acid corrosion3.6Lessons from Davis-Besse3.7Zirconium alloys3.8Internals materials3.9Materials selection3.10Workshop: analysis of a boric acid corrosion case
4.1Tube materials4.2History of degradation4.3Denting4.4Intergranular attack4.5Pitting4.6Fouling4.7Eddy current inspection4.8Plugging and replacement4.9Management programmes4.10Lab: interpretation of eddy current signals
5.1Concrete in nuclear environments5.2Reinforcement corrosion5.3Containment metallic liner5.4Spent fuel pools5.5Buried piping5.6Service water systems5.7Microbiologically influenced corrosion5.8Cathodic protection5.9Inspection of structures5.10Practical exercise: inspection plan for buried piping
6.1Corrosion of storage casks6.2Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking6.3Durability of glasses6.4Deep geological repository6.5Copper and steel canisters6.6KBS-3 concept6.7Bentonite barriers6.8Long-term models6.9International experience6.10Case study: life of a geological disposal canister
7.1Autoclave testing7.2Irradiation loop testing7.3Inhibitors7.4Coatings7.5Chemistry optimisation7.6Materials selection7.7Ageing management programmes7.8GALL report NUREG-18017.9Corrosion indicators7.10Workshop: corrosion management programme
8.1Component selection8.2Service conditions8.3Possible mechanisms8.4Susceptibility assessment8.5Test plan8.6Mitigation measures8.7Surveillance plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 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 you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OLI Studio, COMSOL Multiphysics (Corrosion Module), Thermo-Calc and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for electrochemical autoclave testing, component susceptibility assessment and coolant chemistry analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASME BPVC Section XI, EPRI PWR Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines, NUREG-1801, IAEA SSG-48, ASTM G5, ASTM G31, ISO 8044, AMPP SP0169.
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 able to run the programme's 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 OLI Studio, COMSOL Multiphysics (Corrosion Module), Thermo-Calc and MATLAB, 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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