Diploma in Military GNSS and Critical Standards
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in military GNSS and critical standards. 8 modules covering constellations and signals, governmental services, receiver architecture, interference, PNT resilience, military and civil standards and receiver testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Military GNSS and Critical Standards — 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 33 400 (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
Describe the architecture and signals of GNSS systems.
Distinguish open services from authorised governmental services.
Analyse the internal operation of GNSS receivers.
Assess vulnerabilities to interference and spoofing.
Design resilient PNT architectures.
Apply military and civil standards to navigation equipment.
Plan receiver test and certification campaigns.
Who it's for
- GNSS systems engineers.
- Resilient PNT specialists.
- Navigation receiver engineers.
- Test and certification engineers.
- Radio spectrum analysts.
- Aeronautical navigation consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- IS-GPS-200 (GPS space segment and user interface)
- Galileo OS SIS ICD (Galileo Open Service signal-in-space interface)
- STANAG 4294 (NATO navigation equipment)
- Decision 1104/2011/EU (access to the Galileo PRS)
- RTCA DO-229 (SBAS receiver performance)
- ICAO Annex 10 (aeronautical telecommunications)
- IMO Resolution A.1046(27) (worldwide radionavigation system)
- GNSS-SDR
- RTKLIB
- gLAB
- MATLAB Navigation Toolbox
- Spirent SimGEN
8 modules
1.1GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou1.2Space, control and user segments1.3Signals and frequency bands1.4Ranging codes1.5Navigation message1.6Reference systems and time scales1.7SBAS and EGNOS augmentation1.8Error sources1.9Accuracy, integrity, continuity and availability1.10Case study: DOP geometry analysis
2.1GPS Precise Positioning Service (PPS)2.2M-code and modernisation2.3Galileo Public Regulated Service2.4Decision 1104/2011/EU on the PRS2.5Security modules in receivers2.6Cryptographic key governance2.7Open versus authorised services2.8Allied interoperability2.9European space policy on PNT2.10Workshop: comparison of GNSS services
3.1Receiver radio-frequency chain3.2Signal acquisition3.3DLL and PLL tracking loops3.4Software-defined receivers3.5Antennas and CRPA adaptive antennas3.6Integration with inertial systems3.7Time to first fix3.8High-dynamics performance3.9Receiver type approval3.10Lab: GNSS signal processing with SDR
4.1Intentional and unintentional interference4.2Effects of interference on the receiver4.3Signal spoofing: concept and risks4.4Interference detection4.5Spectrum monitoring4.6Incidents in aviation and maritime navigation4.7Interference reporting4.8Impact on critical infrastructure4.9Vulnerability assessment4.10Case study: analysis of an interference episode
5.1Adaptive antennas and nulling5.2Galileo OSNMA authentication5.3Hybrid navigation with INS5.4Alternative PNT sources5.5Atomic clocks and timekeeping5.6Multi-constellation and multi-frequency5.7RAIM and ARAIM5.8Resilient PNT architectures5.9US Executive Order 139055.10Exercise: resilience assessment of a receiver
6.1Structure of GNSS standards6.2IS-GPS-200 interface specification6.3Galileo OS SIS ICD6.4STANAG 4294 on navigation equipment6.5RTCA DO-229 for SBAS receivers6.6ICAO Annex 106.7IMO requirements for radionavigation6.8Environmental and EMC testing6.9Information security in receivers6.10Workshop: compliance matrix for a receiver
7.1Constellation simulators7.2Laboratory performance testing7.3Field testing7.4Robustness testing in a controlled environment7.5Anechoic chambers for GNSS7.6Signal recording and playback7.7Certification and type approval7.8Test data quality7.9Verification reports7.10Lab: testing with a GNSS simulator
8.1Definition of the critical application8.2Performance requirements8.3Selection of constellations and signals8.4Receiver architecture8.5Resilience measures8.6Regulatory compliance matrix8.7Test plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on SEIUM's 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 GNSS-SDR, RTKLIB, gLAB, MATLAB Navigation Toolbox and Spirent SimGEN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: tests with constellation simulators, analysis of interference episodes and evaluation of multi-constellation receivers. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IS-GPS-200, Galileo OS SIS ICD, STANAG 4294, Decision 1104/2011/EU, RTCA DO-229, ICAO Annex 10 and IMO Resolution A.1046(27).
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. A university degree is not required.
- 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 GNSS-SDR, RTKLIB, gLAB, MATLAB Navigation Toolbox and Spirent SimGEN, 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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