Diploma in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ground penetrating radar (GPR). 8 modules covering GPR principles, equipment and antennas, data acquisition, processing, interpretation, numerical modelling and special applications under ASTM D6432, ETSI EN 302 066 and ECC Decision (06)08, with ReflexW and an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) — 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 the physical principles of ground penetrating radar.
Select antennas and frequencies according to the target.
Plan and carry out acquisition surveys.
Process and interpret radargrams.
Numerically model propagation in the subsurface.
Apply spectrum regulations and professional practice standards.
Prepare subsurface detection reports.
Who it's for
- GPR technicians.
- Geophysicists.
- Infrastructure inspection engineers.
- Technical archaeologists.
- Subsurface detection specialists.
- Signal processing engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into civil engineering.
What you'll work with
- ASTM D6432 (guide for using GPR for subsurface investigation)
- ETSI EN 302 066 (ground- and wall-probing radar imaging applications)
- ECC Decision (06)08 (spectrum use by ground- and wall-probing radar)
- ASCE 38-22 (subsurface utility infrastructure data)
- CWA 14747-1 (test and evaluation of mine action detectors)
- ISO 19115 (geographic metadata)
- ReflexW
- GPR-SLICE
- gprMax
- MATGPR
- QGIS
8 modules
1.1Electromagnetic propagation in the subsurface1.2Permittivity and conductivity of materials1.3Velocity and attenuation1.4Reflection at interfaces1.5Vertical and horizontal resolution1.6Penetration depth1.7Diffraction hyperbolas1.8Noise and clutter1.9Limitations of the method1.10Practical: calculation of velocity and resolution
2.1Architecture of a GPR system2.2Shielded and unshielded antennas2.3Centre frequencies2.4Impulse and stepped-frequency systems2.5Multichannel systems2.6GNSS positioning2.7Odometers and carts2.8Calibration2.9Spectrum regulations2.10Case study: equipment selection for an application
3.1Survey planning3.2Grids and profiles3.3Acquisition parameters3.4Field velocity measurement3.5Ground conditions3.6Field documentation3.7Quality control3.8Safety on public roads3.93D acquisition3.10Lab: acquisition survey in a street
4.1Time-zero correction4.2Background removal4.3Frequency filters4.4Gains4.5Migration4.6Hyperbola velocity analysis4.7Depth slices4.83D visualisation4.9Processing with ReflexW4.10Practical: radargram processing
5.1Recognition of buried utilities5.2Concrete structures5.3Stratigraphy5.4Cavities5.5Archaeological remains5.6Contamination and moisture5.7Interpretation ambiguities5.8Integration with other methods5.9ASCE 38 quality levels5.10Case study: interpretation of an urban profile
6.1Finite-difference time-domain method6.2Models with gprMax6.3Modelling heterogeneous materials6.4Antenna modelling6.5Full-waveform inversion6.6Machine learning in GPR6.7Model validation6.8Synthetic data6.9Comparison with real data6.10Lab: simulation of reflections with gprMax
7.1Mine detection in humanitarian action7.2Dual metal-detector/GPR systems7.3Testing according to CWA 14747-17.4Bridge inspection7.5Tunnels and underground works7.6Glaciology7.7Airborne GPR7.8Non-destructive testing of pavements7.9Reports and professional standards7.10Workshop: subsurface detection report
8.1Definition of the objective8.2Equipment selection8.3Acquisition plan8.4Data processing8.5Supporting numerical modelling8.6Interpretation8.7Technical report8.8Recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 ReflexW, GPR-SLICE, gprMax, MATGPR and QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: locating buried utilities in a street, numerical modelling of reflections with gprMax and inspection of a concrete slab. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM D6432, ETSI EN 302 066, ECC Decision (06)08, ASCE 38-22, CWA 14747-1, ISO 19115.
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 ReflexW, GPR-SLICE, gprMax, MATGPR and QGIS, 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.
Related programmes
Diploma in CMS Architectures and Data Fusion
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in CMS architectures and data fusion. 8 modules covering CMS software architecture, data models and middleware, estimation and tracking, multi-sensor…
Diploma in MIL-STD-810 Environmental Testing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in MIL-STD-810 environmental testing: 8 modules covering the MIL-STD-810H tailoring philosophy, climatic and dynamic tests, environmental agents, combined tests, signal…
Diploma in Nuclear Component Integrity Assessment
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in nuclear component integrity assessment. 8 modules covering components and degradation mechanisms, fracture mechanics, non-destructive testing, design and assessment codes,…
More in Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems
All Defense, Military Engineering & Land Systems programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships