Diploma in Software Contracts and Platform SLAs
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in software contracts and platform SLAs. 8 modules covering types of technology contracts, scope definition, service level agreements, security and data compliance (GDPR, DORA, Data Act), intellectual property and liability, contract governance and exit planning, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Software Contracts and Platform SLAs — studying from South Africa
Engineering-led businesses in South Africa depend on managers who understand both technology and commercial strategy. The country's industrial policy, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's support for manufacturing and export sectors, shapes investment decisions in engineering firms. Large employers such as Eskom, Transnet and major mining and manufacturing groups look for leaders who can manage complex technical programmes. Skills in project economics, procurement and technology governance are valued across the economy.
Fees for South Africa: R 27 900 (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 South African professional bodies in management or technology policy?
Bodies such as the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa and the South African Qualifications Authority set standards in their own fields, but none automatically recognises a private online qualification. SEIUM's qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body, so check with them directly.
Does this kind of qualification help with career progression in South African business or public policy roles?
Employers in South Africa, including corporates, consultancies and government-linked organisations, often prioritise experience, reputable degrees and professional memberships. A private online qualification in technology management or policy can complement your experience and show specialist focus, but it does not guarantee promotion or a particular role. Ask your employer or target organisation how they view it.
How much time does the course need, and can I get employer funding?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you need good working English and self-discipline. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Many South African employers fund training in general terms, so it is worth asking yours.
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
Distinguish between the different types of technology contracts.
Define the scope of platform services precisely.
Design measurable service level agreements.
Incorporate security and data protection clauses.
Negotiate intellectual property and liability.
Govern the contract throughout its life.
Plan service exit and reversibility.
Who it's for
- Technology contract managers who draft and negotiate SaaS and platform agreements.
- ICT procurement managers buying software and cloud services.
- Technology legal advisers who need a firmer grasp of SLAs and technical annexes.
- Service delivery managers accountable for meeting service levels.
- Supplier management leads overseeing technology vendors.
- IT service governance consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the technology and software sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 – DORA (digital operational resilience of the financial sector and ICT providers)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 – Data Act (fair access to and use of data, cloud switching)
- ISO/IEC 20000-1 (IT service management)
- ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management systems)
- ISO/IEC 19086-1 (cloud service level agreement framework)
- ServiceNow
- Jira Service Management
- DocuSign CLM
- Datadog
8 modules
1.1Software licence versus SaaS service1.2Bespoke development contracts1.3Systems integration contracts1.4Maintenance and support contracts1.5IaaS and PaaS cloud services1.6Framework agreements and work orders1.7Technology outsourcing contracts1.8Public procurement of technology1.9Essential elements of the contract1.10Case study: classifying the contracts of a mobility company
2.1Functional description of the service2.2Technical annexes and specifications2.3Service catalogue2.4Deliverables and milestones2.5Acceptance criteria2.6Scope change management2.7Customer dependencies2.8Interoperability and integrations2.9Documentation and training2.10Workshop: drafting the scope annex for a platform
3.1Designing a measurable SLA3.2Availability and how it is calculated3.3Response and resolution times3.4Incident severity levels3.5Maintenance windows3.6Performance and latency3.7SLA exclusions3.8Penalties and service credits3.9Compliance reporting3.10Practical exercise: calculating credits for downtime
4.1Information security clauses4.2Data processing agreement4.3International data transfers4.4ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications4.5National security frameworks for suppliers4.6Breach notification4.7Customer audits4.8DORA Regulation for ICT providers4.9European Data Act and portability4.10Case study: review of the security clauses of a SaaS
5.1Ownership of developed code5.2Open-source licences in deliverables5.3Supplier warranties5.4Indemnity for rights infringement5.5Limitation of liability5.6Force majeure clauses5.7Technology liability insurance5.8Source code escrow5.9Confidentiality obligations between the parties5.10Workshop: negotiating the limitation of liability clause
6.1Steering committees6.2Supplier performance indicators6.3Management of contractual issues6.4Escalation and dispute resolution6.5Continuous service improvement6.6Price benchmarking6.7Subcontractor management6.8Contract audit6.9Contract management tools6.10Practical exercise: governance dashboard for a platform contract
7.1Pricing models: usage, per user and subscription7.2Price reviews and indexation7.3Term, renewal and notice7.4Termination for breach7.5Exit and transition plan7.6Reversibility and return of data7.7Vendor lock-in risk7.8Supplier business continuity7.9Lessons from contentious terminations7.10Case study: exit from a cloud provider
8.1Selection of the service8.2Scope definition8.3SLA design8.4Security and data clauses8.5Liability regime8.6Governance model8.7Exit plan8.8Final legal review8.9Report 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 is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, DocuSign CLM and Datadog, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for reviewing a SaaS contract, calculating service credits for downtime and simulated negotiation of liability clauses. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (DORA), Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 (Data Act), ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 19086-1.
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 ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, DocuSign CLM and Datadog, 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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