Diploma in Ethics and International Law in CBRN
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics and international law in CBRN, structured in 8 modules covering CBRN risks, the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons regimes, non-proliferation and export control, civil protection and scientific responsibility, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Ethics and International Law in CBRN — 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 24 000 (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
Understand CBRN risk categories and their history.
Know the international chemical weapons regime.
Analyse the biological weapons regime and dual use.
Interpret nuclear treaties and safeguards.
Apply export controls and non-proliferation measures.
Assess the ethics of responding to CBRN emergencies.
Promote scientific responsibility within organisations.
Who it's for
- Non-proliferation analysts.
- Legal advisers on disarmament.
- Biosafety and biosecurity officers in laboratories and research centres.
- Civil protection technicians involved in CBRN planning.
- Export control specialists in industry and universities.
- Researchers in scientific ethics.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into international organisations.
What you'll work with
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) (prohibition of chemical weapons)
- Biological Weapons Convention (1972) (prohibition of biological weapons)
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (non-proliferation and disarmament)
- Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) (WMD and non-state actors)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- 1925 Geneva Protocol (ban on chemical and biological warfare)
- Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (nuclear security)
- Law 49/1999 (Spanish implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention)
- ALOHA
- QGIS
- OPCW EDNA
8 modules
1.1Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear categories1.2Historical cases of Ypres, Halabja and Tokyo1.3Risk assessment1.4Dual-use technologies1.5Biosafety and biosecurity1.6Nuclear security1.7Non-state actors1.8Humanitarian impact1.9Principles of response1.10Practical exercise: critical chronology of cases
2.1Chemical Weapons Convention2.2The OPCW2.3Schedules of chemicals2.4Verification system2.5Destruction of stockpiles2.6OPCW investigations2.7Obligations of the chemical industry2.8Law 49/19992.9Spanish national authority2.10Case study: reading an OPCW report
3.1Biological Weapons Convention3.2Confidence-building measures3.3The 1925 Geneva Protocol3.4Dual-use research3.5The gain-of-function debate3.6WHO biosafety guidance3.7UN Secretary-General's Mechanism3.8Ethics of the life sciences3.9Review conferences3.10Case study: debate on dual-use research
4.1Non-Proliferation Treaty4.2IAEA safeguards4.3Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty4.4Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons4.5The CPPNM and its amendment4.6Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism4.7Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources4.8Nuclear-weapon-free zones4.9Security of orphan sources4.10Case study: analysis of a safeguards report
5.1Australia Group5.2Nuclear Suppliers Group5.3Security Council Resolution 15405.4Regulation (EU) 2021/8215.5Control lists5.6Due diligence in universities5.7Intangible technology transfers5.8Compliance programmes5.9Sanctions5.10Workshop: assessment of a laboratory equipment export
6.1Emergency planning6.2Protection of first responders6.3Decontamination6.4CBRN medical care6.5Risk communication6.6National plans6.7EU Civil Protection Mechanism6.8Ethics of response6.9Triage in CBRN incidents6.10Case study: lessons from the 1995 Tokyo attack
7.1The Hague Ethical Guidelines for chemistry7.2Codes of conduct in the biosciences7.3The Pugwash movement7.4Responsibility of the scientist7.5Ethics education7.6Whistleblowing7.7Institutional committees7.8Transparency7.9Historical lessons7.10Case study: code of conduct for a laboratory
8.1Topic selection8.2Scientific context8.3International legal framework8.4National framework8.5Ethical analysis8.6Stakeholders8.7Recommendations8.8Dissemination plan8.9Report 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 ALOHA, QGIS and the OPCW EDNA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: analysis of international verification reports, dual-use risk assessments and emergency planning exercises. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), Biological Weapons Convention (1972), Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), Regulation (EU) 2021/821, 1925 Geneva Protocol, Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, Law 49/1999.
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 ALOHA, QGIS and the OPCW EDNA, 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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