Diploma in Safety and Materials for H₂: Compatibility and Testing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in hydrogen safety and materials. 8 modules covering hydrogen properties and hazards, hydrogen embrittlement, material compatibility, material testing, component and tank testing, safe facility design and safety regulations and assessment, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Safety and Materials for H₂: Compatibility and Testing — studying from South Africa
The automotive sector is one of South Africa's most important manufacturing industries, with major plants in the Eastern Cape around Gqeberha, in KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng. Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Ford and Volkswagen South Africa operate assembly and component facilities that export vehicles and parts across Africa and beyond. The sector relies on engineers skilled in powertrain design, vehicle dynamics, quality and production systems. Motorsport activity, including circuits at Kyalami and Zwartkops, adds further demand for performance engineering.
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 recognise automotive engineering skills, and does SEIUM count?
Professional recognition for engineers in South Africa runs through ECSA, which registers engineers, technicians and technologists under the Engineering Profession Act. Automotive trades also fall under bodies such as the MERSETA for skills development. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by a national body, so whether they are recognised is up to the employer or the relevant body to decide.
Will this programme help me find work in South Africa's automotive or motorsport industry?
South Africa has a significant automotive manufacturing and component sector, and motorsport teams and suppliers also hire engineers. Employers typically look at practical experience, recognised qualifications and references. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Speak to potential employers about whether they would value it.
How does the course fit around a job, and how are fees paid?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so choose the level that matches your available time. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Ask your employer whether they 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 properties and hazards of hydrogen.
Analyse hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms.
Select materials compatible with hydrogen.
Plan material tests in hydrogen.
Test components and tanks in line with regulations.
Design safe hydrogen facilities.
Apply the regulations and quantitative risk assessment.
Who it's for
- Materials engineers selecting metals and polymers for hydrogen service.
- Process safety engineers working on hydrogen production and storage.
- High-pressure laboratory technicians carrying out material and component tests.
- Tank design engineers developing type III and type IV pressure vessels.
- Industrial safety consultants advising on ATEX, Seveso and risk analysis.
- Component certification engineers working to UN R134 and GTR 13.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11114-4 (compatibility of materials with hydrogen)
- ASME B31.12 (hydrogen piping and pipelines)
- UN Regulation No. 134 (hydrogen-fuelled vehicles)
- GTR No. 13 (hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles)
- ISO/TR 15916 (safety of hydrogen systems)
- NFPA 2 (Hydrogen Technologies Code)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment for explosive atmospheres)
- ASTM G142 (tensile testing in hydrogen)
- HyRAM+
- DNV Phast
- Ansys Mechanical
- FLACS
8 modules
1.1Physical and chemical properties1.2Flammability limits1.3Minimum ignition energy1.4Invisible flame and detection1.5Diffusion and buoyancy1.6Permeation leaks1.7High-pressure hazards1.8Cryogenic hazards of liquid hydrogen1.9Lessons from historical accidents1.10Case study: analysis of a hydrogen incident
2.1Embrittlement mechanisms2.2Material and environmental factors2.3Ferritic and austenitic steels2.4Aluminium alloys2.5Effect of welding2.6Fatigue crack growth2.7Embrittlement in existing pipelines2.8Design criteria2.9Materials databases2.10Practical exercise: steel selection for a tank
3.1ISO 11114-4 standard3.2Selection of compatible metals3.3Polymers and elastomers3.4Gaskets and seals3.5Explosive decompression damage3.6Materials for liquid hydrogen3.7Composite materials in tanks3.8Barrier coatings3.9ASME B31.12 guidance3.10Workshop: compatibility matrix for a supply system
4.1Tensile tests in hydrogen4.2Slow strain rate testing4.3Fracture toughness tests4.4Fatigue tests in hydrogen4.5Permeation tests4.6ISO 11114-4 disk tests4.7High-pressure test chambers4.8Laboratory safety4.9Interpretation of results4.10Lab: analysis of SSRT test results
5.1UN Regulation No. 1345.2GTR No. 13 on hydrogen vehicles5.3Hydrostatic pressure tests5.4Cycling tests5.5Fire tests5.6Tank permeation tests5.7Valve and regulator tests5.8Component tests to CSA/ANSI HGV5.9Component certification5.10Case study: test plan for a type IV tank
6.1HAZID and HAZOP risk analysis6.2ATEX zone classification6.3Ventilation and dilution6.4Leak detection6.5Safety distances6.6Overpressure protection6.7Vents and stacks6.8Fire protection6.9Functional safety requirements6.10Practical exercise: zone classification of an electrolyser room
7.1Application of the ATEX Directive7.2Pressure Equipment Directive7.3Application of the Seveso Directive7.4ISO/TC 197 standards7.5NFPA 2 hydrogen code7.6Quantitative risk analysis7.7Using the HyRAM+ tool7.8Staff training7.9Emergency plans7.10Workshop: quantitative risk analysis with HyRAM+
8.1Selection of the system8.2Risk analysis8.3Material selection8.4Test plan8.5Safe design of the facility8.6Regulatory analysis of the system8.7Emergency plan8.8Conclusions and areas for improvement8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online 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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is HyRAM+, DNV Phast, Ansys Mechanical and FLACS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: slow strain rate tensile testing in hydrogen, cycling tests on a type IV tank and quantitative risk analysis of a facility. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: ISO 11114-4, ASME B31.12, UN Regulation No. 134, GTR No. 13, ISO/TR 15916, NFPA 2, Directive 2014/34/EU, ASTM G142.
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 HyRAM+, DNV Phast, Ansys Mechanical and FLACS, 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 suitable computer 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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