Diploma in Pilot/Operator Accreditation and Technical Evidence
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in pilot/operator accreditation and technical evidence. 8 modules covering personnel accreditation frameworks, automotive test drivers, UAS operators, competence assessment, technical evidence, competence management systems and interaction with authorities, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Pilot/Operator Accreditation and Technical Evidence — studying from South Africa
Regulation, safety and homologation skills are essential across South African industry, from road vehicles and aviation to energy and mining. Engineers must demonstrate compliance with national standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards and sector regulators. Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety analysis is applied in infrastructure, rail, energy and manufacturing projects. Specialists support certification, type approval and risk assessment for both local and export markets.
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 professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Homologation and standards work in South Africa involves the SABS and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), while ECSA handles engineering registration. Whether a SEIUM qualification is recognised is for employers or these bodies to decide, so check beforehand.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in regulation, safety and RAMS roles?
Employers in automotive, rail, energy and industrial sectors value RAMS and compliance expertise, often tied to recognised certifications and experience. A private qualification may strengthen your profile but will not replace formal requirements. Its value depends on each employer's preference, so ask hiring managers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is delivered fully online in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm time-zone and weekly workload expectations with SEIUM before enrolling.
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 personnel certification frameworks.
Design programmes for test drivers and safety drivers.
Apply the training requirements for UAS operators.
Assess competence with valid and reliable methods.
Generate and retain technical evidence for accreditation.
Manage competence systems and audits.
Work with authorities in authorisation processes.
Who it's for
- Test pilot and test driver training managers.
- Competence system auditors.
- Certified examiners.
- UAS operations coordinators.
- Regulatory compliance technicians.
- Test safety managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter automotive and vehicle testing.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC 17024 (requirements for bodies certifying persons)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules for the operation of UAS)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS and third-country operators)
- ISO 34502 (test scenarios for automated driving systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR, personal data protection)
- Moodle
- Docebo
- SafetyCulture iAuditor
- Excel competence matrices
- DroneDeploy
8 modules
1.1Certification of persons according to ISO/IEC 170241.2Differences between competence, qualification and authorisation1.3Test pilots and safety drivers1.4Operators of uncrewed systems1.5Certification and accreditation bodies1.6Design of certification schemes1.7Impartiality and confidentiality requirements1.8Certification and renewal cycle1.9Registers of certified persons1.10Case study: analysis of an existing certification scheme
2.1Test driver qualification levels2.2Track and public road training2.3Authorisations for testing automated vehicles2.4Safety drivers in automated driving2.5Fatigue and attention management2.6Takeover procedures2.7Driving simulator training2.8Assessment of driving skills2.9Logging of hours and manoeuvres performed2.10Practical: safety driver training programme
3.1European regulation on uncrewed aircraft systems3.2Open, specific and certified categories3.3Remote pilot certificates3.4Risk assessment with the SORA methodology3.5Theoretical and practical pilot training3.6Operator registration with the national aviation authority3.7Insurance and operator liability3.8Oversight and surveillance by the national aviation authority3.9European standard scenarios (STS)3.10Workshop: training file for the specific category
4.1Task analysis and professional profiles4.2Competence matrices by role4.3Design of theoretical tests4.4Design of practical tests4.5Structured observation of performance4.6Objective assessment rubrics4.7Validity and reliability of tests4.8Training and calibration of examiners4.9Management of failed results4.10Practical: rubric for a practical assessment
5.1The concept of objective evidence5.2Training and practice records5.3Telemetry data as evidence5.4Video and event records5.5Signed assessment reports5.6Integrity and tamper-proofing of records5.7Retention and archiving of evidence5.8Personal data protection5.9Use of evidence in audits5.10Workshop: evidence dossier for a test driver
6.1Competence management manual6.2Associated procedures and records6.3Internal audit programme6.4Management of organisational change6.5Personnel competence indicators6.6Management of operational incidents6.7Continuing training plans6.8Management review of the system6.9Continuous improvement of the programme6.10Case study: audit of a pilot programme
7.1Preparing authorisation applications7.2Inspections and oversight actions7.3Incident notification and reporting7.4Technical communication with the authority7.5Handling requests for information7.6Balancing transparency and confidentiality7.7Time limits in administrative procedures7.8Administrative appeals and representations7.9Good practice in regulatory relations7.10Practical: responding to a request from the authority
8.1Definition of the profile to be accredited8.2Analysis of regulatory requirements8.3Design of the training programme8.4Design of the assessment system8.5Evidence generation plan8.6Structure of the management system8.7Internal audit plan8.8Programme budget8.9Report 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 work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Moodle, Docebo, SafetyCulture iAuditor, Excel competence matrices and DroneDeploy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for practical assessments of safety drivers, UAS pilot training files and audits of competence programmes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC 17024, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, ISO 34502 and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), together with national UAS rules and automated-vehicle testing authorisation schemes.
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 Moodle, Docebo, SafetyCulture iAuditor, Excel competence matrices and DroneDeploy, 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 is required.
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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