Diploma in Ethics in Dual-Use Materials
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics in dual-use materials, structured in 8 modules covering the dual-use concept, sensitive materials, international control regimes, EU and Spanish regulations, compliance, supply-chain impact and ethical governance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Ethics in Dual-Use Materials — 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
Define the concept of dual use and its ethical dilemmas.
Identify sensitive materials and their applications.
Explain the international control regimes.
Apply European and Spanish dual-use regulations.
Design internal compliance programmes.
Assess the human and environmental impacts of the supply chain.
Deliberate on the governance of emerging technologies.
Who it's for
- Export compliance managers.
- Research ethics advisers in universities and research centres.
- Non-proliferation analysts.
- Foreign trade control consultants.
- Technology transfer managers.
- Responsible supply chain managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- Law 53/2007 (Spanish law on the control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use material)
- Royal Decree 679/2014 (Spanish regulation on the control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use material)
- Chemical Weapons Convention (prohibition of chemical weapons)
- Biological Weapons Convention (prohibition of biological weapons)
- UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (non-proliferation to non-state actors)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/821 (conflict minerals supply chain due diligence)
- TARIC
- Consolidated Screening List
- Zotero
- NVivo
8 modules
1.1Definition of dual-use goods1.2History of the control of sensitive technologies1.3The dilemma of dual-use research1.4Open science versus security1.5Strategic and critical materials1.6Proliferation and non-state actors1.7The researcher's responsibility1.8Ethics of responsible innovation1.9Historical cases of diversion1.10Case study: the debate on gain-of-function research
2.1High-strength and maraging alloys2.2Carbon fibres and precursors2.3Technical ceramics and armour2.4Energetic materials: regulatory overview2.5Nuclear materials and high-purity graphite2.6Controlled chemical precursors2.7Radar-absorbing materials2.8Rare earths and permanent magnets2.9Metamaterials and nanomaterials2.10Practical: classifying a material against control lists
3.1Wassenaar Arrangement3.2Nuclear Suppliers Group3.3Australia Group3.4Missile Technology Control Regime3.5Chemical Weapons Convention3.6Biological Weapons Convention3.7UN Security Council Resolution 15403.8Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons3.9Effectiveness and limits of the regimes3.10Case study: analysis of an OPCW report
4.1EU Dual-Use Regulation4.2Annexes and control categories4.3Individual and general authorisations4.4Catch-all clause4.5Law 53/2007 on the control of foreign trade4.6Regulation on the control of foreign trade4.7JIMDDU Interministerial Board4.8Sanctions and embargoes4.9Brokering and transit regime4.10Practical: export licence application
5.1Internal compliance programmes5.2Classification of products and technologies5.3Intangible technology transfers5.4Research and international students5.5End-user verification5.6Red flags in orders5.7Internal audit5.8Staff training5.9Document management5.10Workshop: compliance programme for a laboratory
6.1Conflict minerals6.2Responsible supply chains6.3Human rights due diligence6.4Health risks in manufacturing6.5Hazardous waste from advanced materials6.6Life cycle and sustainability6.7Strategic dependence on raw materials6.8Communities affected by mining6.9Transparency and traceability6.10Case study: cobalt due diligence
7.1Research ethics committees7.2Dual-use risk assessment7.3Responsible publication7.4Scientific codes of conduct7.5Researchers' conscientious objection7.6Dialogue with society7.7International cooperation7.8Emerging technologies and regulatory gaps7.9Anticipatory governance7.10Practical: risk assessment of a research project
8.1Material or technology analysed8.2Civil and military uses8.3Applicable regulatory framework8.4Risk analysis8.5Ethical analysis8.6Proposed compliance programme8.7Recommendations8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is TARIC, Consolidated Screening List, Zotero and NVivo, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures from classifying materials against control lists, designing internal compliance programmes and analysing cases of technology diversion. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2021/821, Law 53/2007, Royal Decree 679/2014, Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, UN Security Council Resolution 1540, Regulation (EU) 2017/821.
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 TARIC, Consolidated Screening List, Zotero and NVivo, 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 programme 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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