Diploma in Ethics and Regulation of Defence Exports
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics and regulation of defence exports. 8 modules covering the arms trade and society, ethical foundations, the Arms Trade Treaty, the European and Spanish export regimes, multilateral regimes and third countries, and corporate compliance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Ethics and Regulation of Defence Exports — 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
Analyse the arms trade and its social impact.
Provide a sound ethical basis for export decisions.
Apply the criteria of the Arms Trade Treaty.
Interpret the European export control regime.
Manage licences under Spanish regulations.
Manage the requirements of multilateral regimes and third-country rules.
Design internal compliance programmes.
Who it's for
- Export control managers in the defence industry.
- Legal advisers in foreign trade.
- Non-proliferation analysts.
- Compliance officers.
- Business and human rights consultants.
- Licence assessors in public administration.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- Arms Trade Treaty (2013) (UN treaty regulating the international trade in conventional arms)
- Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (EU rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment)
- Law 53/2007 (Spanish law on the control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use material)
- Royal Decree 679/2014 (Spanish regulation implementing the control of foreign trade in defence material)
- Directive 2009/43/EC (intra-EU transfers of defence-related products)
- Wassenaar Arrangement (multilateral export controls on conventional arms and dual-use goods)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (US regulations on defence articles and services)
- Consolidated Screening List
- EU Sanctions Map
- SAP Global Trade Services
- Power BI
8 modules
1.1International arms market1.2Main exporters and importers1.3The Spanish export industry1.4Economy and employment1.5Arms and armed conflict1.6Diversion to the illicit market1.7Small arms and light weapons1.8Public opinion and NGOs1.9Transparency in the arms trade1.10Case study: analysis of Spanish export statistics
2.1States' right to self-defence2.2Responsibility of the exporter2.3Complicity in human rights violations2.4The precautionary principle in exports2.5Industry ethics2.6Economic interests and values2.7Coherence of foreign policy2.8Ethics of the assessing official2.9Academic debate2.10Practical exercise: arguing a case on a controversial export
3.1Origin and negotiation3.2Scope of application3.3Absolute prohibitions3.4Export risk assessment3.5Risk of diversion3.6Gender-based violence3.7Annual reports3.8Conferences of States Parties3.9Effectiveness of the Treaty3.10Case study: applying the ATT criteria
4.1Common Position 2008/944/CFSP4.2The eight export criteria4.3The User's Guide4.4The EU annual report4.5Intra-community transfers4.6The Dual-Use Regulation4.7Embargoes and restrictive measures4.8Harmonisation between Member States4.9European parliamentary oversight4.10Workshop: assessing a licence against the eight criteria
5.1Law 53/20075.2Regulation on the control of foreign trade5.3The JIMDDU Inter-ministerial Board5.4Licences and authorisations5.5End-user certificates5.6Post-shipment controls5.7Reporting to Parliament5.8Infringements and penalties5.9Recent experiences5.10Practical exercise: processing a licence application
6.1The Wassenaar Arrangement6.2The Missile Technology Control Regime6.3US ITAR and EAR regulations6.4Extraterritoriality6.5Components with US content6.6Re-exports6.7Financial sanctions6.8Compliance in multinational groups6.9Emerging technologies on control lists6.10Case study: re-export of a subsystem
7.1Internal compliance programmes7.2Product classification7.3End-user verification7.4Red flags7.5Intangible transfers7.6Staff training7.7Audits and self-assessment7.8Human rights due diligence7.9Communication with the authorities7.10Workshop: designing an internal compliance programme
8.1Export operation analysed8.2Product and destination8.3Applicable legal framework8.4Risk assessment8.5Ethical analysis8.6Compliance programme8.7Recommendations8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is Consolidated Screening List, EU Sanctions Map, SAP Global Trade Services and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: assessing licences against the European criteria, designing internal compliance programmes and analysing export statistics. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: Arms Trade Treaty (2013), Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, Law 53/2007, Royal Decree 679/2014, Directive 2009/43/EC, Wassenaar Arrangement, Regulation (EU) 2021/821, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
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 Consolidated Screening List, EU Sanctions Map, SAP Global Trade Services and Power BI, 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 suitable computer 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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