Diploma in Terminal Design, Airside and Security
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in terminal, airside and security design: 8 modules covering functional terminal planning, terminal processors, airside design, airside safety, aviation security, facilities and sustainability, and passenger experience technology, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Terminal Design, Airside and Security — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 24 000 (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 South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
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
Carry out the functional planning of passenger terminals.
Size processors according to levels of service.
Design the airside in line with aerodrome regulations.
Apply operational safety measures in the movement area.
Design aviation security checkpoints.
Integrate sustainability criteria into facilities.
Evaluate technologies that improve the passenger experience.
Who it's for
- Airport planners working on terminal and airside development.
- Terminal design engineers and architects.
- Aerodrome safety managers.
- Airport security managers.
- Airport operations consultants.
- Infrastructure engineers moving into the airport sector.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to work for airport operators.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 14, Volume I (aerodrome design and operations)
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 (aerodrome requirements and administrative procedures)
- ICAO Annex 17 (aviation security)
- Regulation (EC) 300/2008 (common rules on civil aviation security)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998 (detailed aviation security measures)
- ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual)
- EASA CS-ADR-DSN (certification specifications for aerodrome design)
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- CAST Terminal
- AviPLAN
- AnyLogic
8 modules
1.1Terminal concepts: linear, satellite and pier1.2Departing and arriving passenger flows1.3Design peak-hour passengers1.4IATA levels of service1.5Schengen and non-Schengen segregation1.6Transfer flows and connections1.7Space and area programme1.8Modular terminals and growth1.9Universal accessibility in terminals1.10Workshop: area programme for a regional terminal
2.1Sizing of check-in counters2.2Self check-in and bag drop2.3Passport control and automated border gates2.4Boarding areas and gate lounges2.5Baggage reclaim carousels2.6Baggage handling systems2.7Retail areas and dwell time2.8Applied queueing models2.9Passenger flow simulation2.10Practical: sizing of a security checkpoint
3.1Aerodrome reference code3.2Runways, taxiways and shoulders3.3Aprons and aircraft stands3.4Configuration of contact and remote stands3.5Passenger boarding bridges3.6Separation distances on the apron3.7Apron markings and lighting3.8Ground handling and GSE3.9Aircraft de-icing3.10Lab: layout of an apron with code C stands
4.1Obstacle limitation surfaces4.2Runway end safety areas4.3Runway incursion prevention4.4FOD control on the apron4.5Wildlife hazard4.6Apron movement management4.7A-SMGCS surface guidance and control4.8EASA aerodrome certification4.9Movement area inspections4.10Case study: analysis of incursions at an aerodrome
5.1ICAO Annex 175.2Regulation (EC) 300/20085.3Security restricted areas5.4Screening of passengers and cabin baggage5.5EDS equipment and security scanners5.6Staff access control5.7Cargo and mail security5.8National civil aviation security programme5.9Cybersecurity of airport systems5.10Case study: design of a centralised security checkpoint
6.1HVAC for large volumes6.2Daylighting and efficiency6.3Fire protection in terminals6.4Evacuation and emergency exits6.5Environmental building certification6.6Airport Carbon Accreditation6.7Energy management6.8Materials and durability6.9Terminal maintenance6.10Workshop: energy strategy for a terminal
7.1Biometrics and contactless travel7.2Flight information systems7.3Wayfinding and signage7.4Real-time queue management7.5Airport operations centres (AOC)7.6Terminal digital twin7.7BIM systems in airports7.8Peak capacity management7.9Satisfaction indicators7.10Case study: redesign of a boarding process
8.1Design traffic forecast8.2Functional terminal programme8.3Sizing of processors8.4Apron and stand design8.5Operational safety analysis8.6Security checkpoint design8.7Sustainability strategy8.8Conceptual drawings and diagrams8.9Report 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoCAD, Revit, CAST Terminal, AviPLAN and AnyLogic, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: sizing of passenger processors, layout of aprons and aircraft stands, and design of centralised security checkpoints. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 14, Volume I; Regulation (EU) 139/2014; ICAO Annex 17; Regulation (EC) 300/2008; Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998; ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual); EASA CS-ADR-DSN.
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 able to run the programme's 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 AutoCAD, Revit, CAST Terminal, AviPLAN and AnyLogic, 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.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in Rotor Vibration and Active Control
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in rotor vibration and active control. 8 modules covering rotor dynamics, transmission to the fuselage, experimental measurement, blade balancing and…
Diploma in Space Debris Mitigation and End of Life
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in space debris mitigation and end of life: 8 modules covering the debris environment, mitigation regulations, design for mitigation, disposal…
Diploma in Drone Fleet Management and Inspection Data
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in drone fleet management and inspection data. 8 modules covering fleet management, maintenance and airworthiness, operations and compliance, inspection data…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships