Diploma in Military Certification and Airworthiness (EMAR/EASA Mil)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in military certification and airworthiness (EMAR/EASA Mil). 8 modules covering type certification, certification bases, technical disciplines, military design organisations, certification testing, modifications and national authorities under the EMACC Handbook, EMAR 21 and Royal Decree 866/2015, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Military Certification and Airworthiness (EMAR/EASA Mil) — 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 27 900 (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 phases of the military type certification process.
Build certification bases from the EMACC.
Select means of compliance for each technical discipline.
Set up a design organisation in line with EMAR 21.
Plan witnessed certification tests.
Certify modifications and integrations on in-service aircraft.
Interpret the role of national authorities and their lessons learned.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical certification engineers.
- Compliance verification engineers.
- Design organisation managers.
- Certification test engineers.
- Aeronautical programme managers.
- Airworthiness technical inspectors.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- EMACC Handbook (European military airworthiness certification criteria)
- EMAR 21 (certification of military aircraft and design/production organisations)
- Real Decreto 866/2015 (Spanish military airworthiness regulation)
- CS-25 (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
- CS-23 (certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
- MIL-HDBK-516C (airworthiness certification criteria)
- MIL-HDBK-1763 (aircraft-store compatibility)
- AMC 25.1309 (system design and analysis)
- IBM DOORS
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- Siemens Teamcenter
8 modules
1.1Phases of the certification process1.2Application and familiarisation1.3Establishing the certification basis1.4Certification review items1.5Certification plan1.6Means of compliance 0 to 91.7Demonstration and witnessing1.8Declaration of compliance1.9Issue of the type certificate1.10Practical exercise: certification plan for a change
2.1Structure of the EMACC2.2Selection of criteria from CS-23, 25, 27 and 292.3Special conditions2.4Equivalent levels of safety2.5Justified exemptions2.6Specific military requirements2.7Aircraft derived from civil types2.8Applicable amendments2.9Change control of the basis2.10Case study: certification basis for a training aircraft
3.1Structures and loads3.2System safety to 13093.3Powerplant3.4Avionics and software3.5Flying qualities3.6Electromagnetic compatibility and lightning3.7Human factors3.8Fire protection3.9Weight and balance3.10Workshop: means of compliance matrix by discipline
4.1Design organisation requirements4.2Independent airworthiness function4.3Compliance verification engineers4.4Privileges of the organisation4.5Change classification procedure4.6Subcontractor control4.7Authority oversight4.8Design organisation exposition4.9Performance indicators4.10Case study: audit of design procedures
5.1Ground certification tests5.2Certification flight tests5.3Witnessing by the authority5.4Conformity of test articles5.5Experimental permit to fly5.6Instrumentation and data5.7Test risk management5.8Test reports5.9Discrepancy management5.10Practical exercise: witnessing programme
6.1Integration of mission systems6.2Major changes to in-service aircraft6.3Aircraft-store compatibility to MIL-HDBK-17636.4Embodiment of changes across the fleet6.5Structural repairs6.6Original manufacturer data6.7Intellectual property rights6.8Updates to certified software6.9Modification documentation6.10Case study: certification of a sensor pod
7.1Spain's Defence Airworthiness Authority7.2Technical role of INTA7.3Life cycle of a national programme7.4Acceptance of EASA civil certificates7.5Eurofighter, A400M and PC-21 programmes7.6Relationship with industry7.7Certification file7.8Communication with the authority7.9Lessons learned7.10Case study: lessons from the A400M accident in Seville
8.1Description of the product or change8.2Classification and scope8.3Proposed certification basis8.4Certification plan8.5Compliance matrix8.6Test plan8.7Organisation documentation8.8Schedule and risks8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the 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 the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IBM DOORS, Cameo Systems Modeler and Siemens Teamcenter, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for witnessed certification tests, design organisation audits and verification of compliance matrices. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EMACC Handbook, EMAR 21, Real Decreto 866/2015, CS-25, CS-23, MIL-HDBK-516C, MIL-HDBK-1763, AMC 25.1309.
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 able to run 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 IBM DOORS, Cameo Systems Modeler and Siemens Teamcenter, 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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