Diploma in Quality Control in Defence
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in quality control in defence, structured in 8 modules covering quality management systems (ISO 9001:2015, AQAP-2110), government quality assurance (STANAG 4107), quality tools, life-cycle quality, supply chain management, inspection and testing, and non-conformities and improvement, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Quality Control in Defence — 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 16 700 (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
Implement management systems in line with ISO 9001, AQAP-2110 and AS9100.
Understand government quality assurance under STANAG 4107.
Apply statistical quality tools.
Prepare quality plans throughout the life cycle.
Manage quality in the supply chain.
Design inspection and sampling plans.
Resolve non-conformities through root cause analysis.
Who it's for
- Quality engineers in the defence industry.
- Management system auditors.
- Government quality assurance inspectors.
- Supplier quality managers.
- Metrology technicians.
- Continuous improvement managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- AQAP-2110 (NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development and production)
- ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems)
- STANAG 4107 (mutual acceptance of government quality assurance)
- AQAP-2070 (NATO mutual government quality assurance process)
- AQAP-2105 (NATO requirements for deliverable quality plans)
- AS9100D (aerospace quality management system)
- AS9102 (aerospace first article inspection)
- ISO 2859-1 (sampling procedures for inspection by attributes)
- Minitab
- SAP QM
- ETQ Reliance
- Q-Pulse
8 modules
1.1The ISO 9001:2015 standard1.2AQAP-2110 requirements1.3The AS9100D standard1.4PECAL publications1.5The process approach1.6Risk-based thinking1.7Interested parties1.8Documented information1.9System audit1.10Practical exercise: process map for a supplier
2.1The GQA concept2.2STANAG 41072.3The AQAP-2070 publication2.4National quality authority2.5Mutual recognition between nations2.6Quality assurance delegations2.7Assurance plans2.8Contractor oversight2.9Certificates of conformity2.10Case study: government quality assurance plan
3.1The seven basic tools3.2Statistical process control3.3Capability indices Cp and Cpk3.4Measurement system analysis3.5Design of experiments3.6The 8D methodology3.7FMEA to AIAG-VDA3.8Six Sigma3.9Lean manufacturing3.10Laboratory: gauge R&R study with Minitab
4.1Contractual requirements4.2AQAP-2105 quality plans4.3Quality in design4.4Verification and validation4.5AS9102 first article inspection4.6Production part approval4.7Configuration management4.8AQAP-2210 software quality4.9Delivery and acceptance4.10Workshop: quality plan to AQAP-2105
5.1Supplier evaluation5.2Second-party audits5.3Flow-down of requirements5.4Counterfeit parts under AS55535.5Counterfeit prevention under AS61745.6Component obsolescence5.7Traceability5.8Supplier indicators5.9Supplier development5.10Case study: prevention of counterfeit components
6.1Inspection plans6.2Sampling to ISO 2859-16.3Dimensional metrology6.4Non-destructive testing6.5Acceptance tests6.6Equipment calibration6.7Quality records6.8Certificates of conformity6.9Product release6.10Practical exercise: sampling plan by attributes
7.1Non-conformity management7.2Material review board7.3Concessions and deviations7.4Corrective actions7.5Root cause analysis7.6Cost of poor quality7.7Key indicators7.8Management review7.9Continuous improvement7.10Case study: 8D report on a non-conformity
8.1Description of the product and the company8.2Contractual and AQAP requirements8.3Process map8.4Quality plan8.5Supplier control8.6Inspection plan8.7Non-conformity management8.8Indicators and audits8.9Report 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 can be combined with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Minitab, SAP QM, ETQ Reliance and Q-Pulse, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for supplier audits, first article inspection and process capability studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: AQAP-2110, ISO 9001:2015, STANAG 4107, AQAP-2070, AQAP-2105, AS9100D, AS9102, ISO 2859-1.
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 Minitab, SAP QM, ETQ Reliance and Q-Pulse, 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.
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