Diploma in Legal Framework of Space and ITAR/EAR
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Space Law and ITAR/EAR. 8 modules covering international and national space law, export controls, ITAR, EAR, compliance programmes and space contracts and liability under the Outer Space Treaty (1967), ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) and EAR (15 CFR 730-774), with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Legal Framework of Space and ITAR/EAR — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
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
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
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
Interpret the international treaties of space law.
Compare national and European space legislation.
Understand dual-use export control regimes.
Apply the requirements of the ITAR.
Classify products under the EAR.
Design internal compliance programmes.
Analyse contracts and liability in space activities.
Who it's for
- Export control managers in the space and defence industries.
- Lawyers specialising in space law.
- Regulatory compliance consultants.
- Space contract managers.
- Space regulatory analysts.
- Government affairs managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join the space industry.
What you'll work with
- Outer Space Treaty (1967) (principles governing the activities of states in outer space)
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR 120-130) (US defence export controls)
- Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 730-774) (US dual-use export controls)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU dual-use export control regime)
- Liability Convention (1972) (international liability for damage caused by space objects)
- Registration Convention (1975) (registration of objects launched into outer space)
- Wassenaar Arrangement (export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods)
- Spanish Law 53/2007 (control of foreign trade in defence and dual-use material)
- Descartes Visual Compliance
- SAP GTS
- Consolidated Screening List (ITA)
- Amber Road
- Excel
8 modules
1.1The 1967 Outer Space Treaty1.2The 1968 Rescue Agreement1.3The 1972 Liability Convention1.4The 1975 Registration Convention1.5The 1979 Moon Agreement1.6UN General Assembly resolutions1.7Functions of COPUOS and its Legal Subcommittee1.8The Artemis Accords and resource exploitation1.9Peaceful use and the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction1.10Workshop: analysis of a launching state's obligations
2.1Comparative national space laws2.2The French LOS and its authorisation regime2.3The UK Space Industry Act 20182.4Spanish regulation and the national registry2.5The Luxembourg space resources law2.6The proposed EU Space Act2.7The Union Space Programme2.8Compulsory insurance and state guarantees2.9National registration of launched objects2.10Case study: comparison of licensing regimes
3.1Fundamentals of dual-use export control3.2The Wassenaar Arrangement3.3The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)3.4Dual-use Regulation (EU) 2021/8213.5Control lists and classification3.6Export licences in the EU3.7Export control in Spain3.8Intangible technology transfers3.9Sanctions and embargoes3.10Practical exercise: classification of a satellite component
4.1The Arms Export Control Act (AECA)4.2The US Munitions List (USML)4.3Category XV spacecraft4.4Defence services and technical data4.5DSP-5 licences and TAA agreements4.6Exemptions and re-exports4.7Registration with the DDTC4.8ITAR-free clauses in Europe4.9Voluntary disclosures and penalties4.10Case study: ITAR impact on a European programme
5.1The EAR and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)5.2The Commerce Control List (CCL)5.39x515-series ECCNs5.4De minimis rule and foreign direct product rule5.5Licences and licence exceptions5.6Entity List and restricted parties5.7Re-exports from Europe5.8Classification and self-classification5.9EAR compliance programmes5.10Practical exercise: determining the ECCN of a subsystem
6.1Elements of an internal compliance programme6.2Classification and jurisdiction matrix6.3Access control for technical data6.4Staff training6.5Export programme audits6.6Supplier and customer management6.7Restricted party screening6.8Recordkeeping and document retention6.9Compliance culture6.10Case study: designing an internal compliance programme
7.1Launch contracts and cross-waivers7.2Third-party liability7.3Launch and in-orbit space insurance7.4Intellectual property in space programmes7.5Contracts with space agencies7.6Cybersecurity and regulation7.7Ethics and responsible use of space7.8Transparency and confidence-building measures7.9Dispute resolution7.10Case study: liability clauses in a launch contract
8.1Description of the mission or company8.2Applicable international framework8.3National licensing requirements8.4Export classification8.5ITAR and EAR analysis8.6Internal compliance programme8.7Legal risk map8.8Recommendations and roadmap8.9Report 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 the intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original legal texts and applied exercises. The working software is Descartes Visual Compliance, SAP GTS, the Consolidated Screening List (ITA), Amber Road and Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for classifying space products under ITAR and EAR, preparing space licence applications and designing internal compliance programmes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Outer Space Treaty (1967), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR 120-130), Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 730-774), Regulation (EU) 2021/821, Liability Convention (1972), Registration Convention (1975), Wassenaar Arrangement, Spanish Law 53/2007.
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 Descartes Visual Compliance, SAP GTS, Consolidated Screening List (ITA), Amber Road and Excel, 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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