Diploma in Ethics in Military MBSE
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics in military MBSE. 8 modules covering model-based systems engineering, values in systems engineering, modelling human control, safety and risk in models, model integrity and governance, law and systems review, and professional practice, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Ethics in Military MBSE — 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 20 400 (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 model-based systems engineering.
Integrate ethical values as system requirements.
Model human control over automated systems.
Analyse safety from the model architecture.
Ensure the integrity and transparency of models.
Generate evidence for legal reviews.
Deliberate on real system architecture cases.
Who it's for
- MBSE systems engineers.
- Systems architects in defence and aerospace programmes.
- System safety engineers.
- Requirements managers.
- Ethical engineering consultants.
- Technical programme managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system life cycle processes)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 (architecture description)
- IEEE 7000-2021 (addressing ethical concerns during system design)
- OMG SysML (systems modelling language)
- NATO Architecture Framework (NAF)
- MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148 (requirements engineering)
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- Capella
- IBM Rhapsody
- Enterprise Architect
- Eclipse Papyrus
8 modules
1.1Systems engineering and the life cycle1.2From documents to models1.3The SysML language1.4Requirements, structure and behaviour1.5Military reference architectures1.6The NATO Architecture Framework (NAF)1.7Traceability in models1.8Model simulation1.9The digital thread1.10Practical exercise: SysML model of a simple system
2.1Value-sensitive engineering2.2Identifying indirect stakeholders2.3Ethical requirements as system requirements2.4Safety, privacy and human control2.5Life-cycle sustainability2.6Accessibility and human factors2.7Conflicts between requirements2.8Transparent prioritisation2.9The ethical engineering process2.10Workshop: ethical requirements in a model
3.1Human-system interaction3.2Levels of automation3.3Modelling operator decisions3.4Human intervention points3.5Workload and situational awareness3.6Interfaces and explainability3.7Degraded modes3.8Validation with users3.9Documenting responsibilities3.10Lab: modelling a supervisory control loop
4.1Model-based hazard analysis4.2STPA and safety control4.3Fault trees from the model4.4Connected safety cases4.5Software safety4.6Cybersecurity from the architecture4.7Residual risk and acceptance4.8Independent model review4.9Change management4.10Practical exercise: STPA analysis of a function
5.1Quality and validity of models5.2Bias in modelling assumptions5.3Transparency of assumptions5.4Intellectual property of models5.5Sharing between allies5.6Confidentiality and classification5.7Model auditing5.8Configuration management5.9Integrity of design information5.10Case study: hidden assumptions in a performance model
6.1Article 36 legal review6.2Integrating the review into the life cycle6.3Evidence from the model6.4System safety standards6.5Technical authority requirements6.6Responsibility of the integrator6.7Contracts and ethical requirements6.8Responsible AI principles6.9Export of technical data6.10Workshop: model evidence for a legal review
7.1Successful MBSE programmes7.2System integration failures7.3Command and control systems7.4Uncrewed systems7.5Logistic support systems7.6Ethics of the systems engineer7.7Communicating with decision-makers7.8Training in ethical engineering7.9Future scenarios7.10Case study: ethical review of a command architecture
8.1Selected system8.2Stakeholders and values8.3Architecture model8.4Traced ethical requirements8.5Safety analysis8.6Evidence for the review8.7Recommendations8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Cameo Systems Modeler, Capella, IBM Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect and Eclipse Papyrus, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: modelling ethical requirements in SysML, STPA analysis of critical functions and architecture reviews with users. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, IEEE 7000-2021, OMG SysML, NATO Architecture Framework (NAF), MIL-STD-882E, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148.
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 Cameo Systems Modeler, Capella, IBM Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect and Eclipse Papyrus, 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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