Diploma in Radar and Optical Signatures in Defence
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in radar and optical signatures in defence. 8 modules covering radar cross-section electromagnetics, numerical RCS prediction, infrared, visible and ultraviolet signatures, sensors, platform signature modelling and signature reduction, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Radar and Optical Signatures 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 20 400 (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
Understand the physical mechanisms of radar scattering.
Predict radar cross-section using asymptotic and full-wave methods.
Calculate infrared signatures from thermal radiation.
Analyse visible and ultraviolet signatures.
Understand the basic operation of acquisition sensors.
Model the signatures of complete platforms.
Evaluate signature reduction strategies within the regulatory framework.
Who it's for
- Radar signature engineers.
- Infrared signature specialists.
- Electromagnetic modelling analysts.
- Electro-optical engineers broadening into signature work.
- Researchers in low-observability materials.
- Defence systems engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- IEEE Std 1502-2007 (radar cross-section test procedures)
- ASTM E1933 (infrared emissivity measurement with radiometers)
- IEEE Std 211-2018 (definitions of terms for radio wave propagation)
- CIE 15:2018 (colorimetry)
- EU Common Military List (export control of military equipment)
- Altair FEKO
- MuSES
- ShipIR
- MODTRAN
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Plane waves and scattering1.2Rayleigh, resonance and optical regions1.3RCS of a sphere, plate and cylinder1.4Dihedrals and trihedrals1.5Polarisation1.6Specular reflection and diffraction1.7Surface and travelling waves1.8Cavities and ducts1.9Bistatic radar cross-section1.10Practical exercise: analytical RCS of a plate
2.1Physical optics2.2Geometrical and uniform theory of diffraction2.3Physical theory of diffraction2.4Method of moments2.5Multilevel fast multipole method (MLFMM)2.6Meshing and convergence2.7Prediction software2.8Validation against measurements2.9Computational cost2.10Laboratory: RCS of a simplified model
3.1Planck, Stefan-Boltzmann and Wien laws3.2Emissivity and reflectivity3.3Thermal balance of surfaces3.4Plume radiation3.5Atmospheric transmission3.6MWIR and LWIR bands3.7Radiometric contrast3.8Effect of sun and sky3.9Diurnal variation3.10Practical exercise: radiance of a painted surface
4.1Natural illumination4.2Reflectance and colour4.3Luminance contrast4.4Specular glint4.5Wakes and smoke4.6Ultraviolet emission from plumes4.7Shadows4.8Human visual perception4.9Natural and urban backgrounds4.10Workshop: measured visual contrast
5.1Types of radar5.2Principles of IRST sensors5.3Electro-optical cameras5.4Johnson criteria5.5NETD and MRTD5.6Multispectral sensors5.7Sensor fusion5.8Acquisition range5.9Atmospheric limitations5.10Case study: Johnson criteria for a thermal camera
6.1Thermal models with MuSES6.2Ship signatures with ShipIR6.3Land vehicles6.4Aircraft6.5Environment modelling6.6Model validation6.7Uncertainty6.8Assessment scenarios6.9Signature digital twins6.10Laboratory: thermal model of a vehicle
7.1Principles of radar signature reduction7.2Absorbing materials7.3Low-emissivity coatings7.4Thermal management7.5Integrated multispectral design7.6Measurement standards7.7Information protection7.8Export controls7.9Ethics in defence engineering7.10Case study: trade-off between signature and cost
8.1Platform definition8.2Bands of interest8.3Geometric model8.4Radar prediction8.5Infrared prediction8.6Contribution analysis8.7Reduction measures8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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 you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Altair FEKO, MuSES, ShipIR, MODTRAN and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for numerical radar cross-section prediction, thermal modelling of platforms and field radiometric measurements. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrated project.
Standards covered: IEEE Std 1502-2007, ASTM E1933, IEEE Std 211-2018, CIE 15:2018 and the EU Common Military List.
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 Altair FEKO, MuSES, ShipIR, MODTRAN and MATLAB, 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 capable of running 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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