Diploma in Unmanned Naval Systems (USV/UUV)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in unmanned naval systems (USV/UUV). 8 modules covering mission types, hydrodynamics, energy and propulsion, navigation and control, acoustic communications and sensors, autonomy and regulation under COLREG 1972, IMO MSC.1/Circ.1604 and STANAG 4748, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Unmanned Naval Systems (USV/UUV) — 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 24 000 (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 types and missions of unmanned naval systems.
Apply hydrodynamic principles to USV and AUV design.
Size energy and propulsion systems.
Design underwater navigation and control solutions.
Integrate sensors and acoustic communications.
Programme autonomous missions with human supervision.
Analyse the regulatory and ethical framework of maritime autonomy.
Who it's for
- Autonomous marine vehicle engineers.
- Underwater robotics specialists.
- Navigation and control engineers.
- Hydrographers.
- Unmanned systems operators.
- Maritime autonomy researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter naval defence.
What you'll work with
- COLREG 1972 (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea)
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1604 (interim guidelines for MASS trials)
- STANAG 4748 (JANUS underwater acoustic communications)
- DNV-CG-0264 (autonomous and remotely operated ships)
- Lloyd's Register Code for Unmanned Marine Systems (classification of unmanned vessels)
- IHO S-44 (standards for hydrographic surveys)
- MOOS-IvP
- ROS 2
- MSS Toolbox for MATLAB
- Stonefish
- SonarWiz
8 modules
1.1Unmanned surface and underwater vehicles1.2Autonomous vehicles versus ROVs1.3Hydrography and mine countermeasures missions1.4Maritime surveillance1.5Classification of unmanned maritime systems1.6International reference programmes1.7Civil autonomous vessels1.8General system architecture1.9Concept of operations1.10Practical exercise: comparison of commercial platforms
2.1Resistance and propulsion2.2Stability and seakeeping2.3Hull forms for USVs2.4Hydrodynamics of torpedo-shaped AUVs2.5Buoyancy and trim2.6Manoeuvrability2.7Fossen 6-degree-of-freedom models2.8CFD of marine vehicles2.9Towing tank tests2.10Laboratory: manoeuvring model in MATLAB
3.1Lithium-ion batteries3.2Fuel cells3.3Underwater gliders3.4Electric thrusters3.5Endurance estimation3.6Battery safety3.7Underwater charging stations3.8Thermal management3.9Diesel-electric propulsion for USVs3.10Workshop: energy budget of an AUV
4.1Inertial navigation and DVL4.2LBL and USBL acoustic positioning4.3GNSS at the surface4.4Extended Kalman filter4.5Heading and depth control4.6Line-of-sight guidance4.7COLREG compliance for USVs4.8Collision avoidance4.9Terrain-referenced navigation4.10Practical exercise: INS-DVL fusion in simulation
5.1Acoustic modems5.2Radio and satellite communications5.3Side-scan sonar5.4Multibeam echosounder5.5Synthetic aperture sonar5.6Underwater cameras and laser5.7CTD oceanographic sensors5.8JANUS protocol, STANAG 47485.9Mission data management5.10Case study: side-scan sonar survey
6.1Autonomy architectures6.2The MOOS-IvP environment6.3ROS on marine vehicles6.4Mission planning6.5Onboard decision-making6.6Multi-vehicle cooperation6.7Human supervision6.8Fault management6.9Launch and recovery6.10Laboratory: inspection mission in MOOS-IvP
7.1COLREG and autonomous ships7.2IMO work on MASS7.3Legal status of the autonomous ship7.4Interim guidelines for MASS trials7.5DNV and Lloyd's Register classification rules7.6Operational safety7.7Environmental impact7.8Ethics of maritime autonomy7.9Law of the sea and unmanned systems7.10Case study: COLREG compliance assessment
8.1Definition of the civil or defence mission8.2Platform requirements8.3Preliminary hydrodynamic design8.4Energy system8.5Navigation and sensors8.6Autonomy architecture8.7Regulatory and safety analysis8.8Sea trials plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme 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 MOOS-IvP, ROS 2, MSS Toolbox for MATLAB, Stonefish and SonarWiz, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for autonomous navigation sea trials, side-scan sonar surveys and towing tank manoeuvring tests. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: COLREG 1972, IMO MSC.1/Circ.1604, STANAG 4748, DNV-CG-0264, Lloyd's Register Code for Unmanned Marine Systems, IHO S-44.
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 able to run 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 MOOS-IvP, ROS 2, MSS Toolbox for MATLAB, Stonefish and SonarWiz, 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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