Diploma in Weld Integrity under Irradiation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in weld integrity under irradiation: 8 modules covering irradiation damage in metals, welding metallurgy, reactor vessel embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking, in-service inspection, fracture mechanics and repair and ageing management, under ASME BPVC Section XI, ASME BPVC Section III and ASTM E1921, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Weld Integrity under Irradiation — 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 27 900 (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
Explain the mechanisms of irradiation damage in metals.
Relate welding metallurgy to in-service behaviour.
Evaluate reactor vessel embrittlement and surveillance programmes.
Analyse stress corrosion cracking in welds.
Apply qualified in-service inspection techniques.
Carry out integrity assessments using fracture mechanics.
Plan repairs and ageing management.
Who it's for
- Structural integrity engineers.
- Nuclear welding engineers.
- In-service inspection specialists.
- Nuclear materials engineers.
- Ageing management analysts.
- Non-destructive testing inspectors.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into the nuclear energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection of nuclear power plant components)
- ASME BPVC Section III (construction of nuclear facility components)
- ASTM E1921 (master curve for fracture toughness)
- ASTM E185 (surveillance programmes for reactor vessels)
- 10 CFR 50.61 (fracture toughness requirements for protection against pressurised thermal shock)
- USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.99 (Rev. 2) (radiation embrittlement of reactor vessel materials)
- IAEA SSG-48 (ageing management for nuclear power plants)
- ASTM E23 (notched bar impact testing)
- Abaqus
- SRIM
- ANSYS Mechanical
- CIVA
8 modules
1.1Atomic displacements and dpa1.2Point defects and dislocation loops1.3Hardening and embrittlement1.4Radiation-induced segregation1.5Swelling1.6Helium and transmutation1.7Irradiation creep1.8Neutron spectrum and fluence1.9Ion irradiation simulation1.10Case study: dpa calculation with SRIM
2.1Welding thermal cycles2.2Heat-affected zone2.3Weld microstructures2.4Residual stresses2.5Ferritic reactor vessel steels2.6Austenitic stainless steels2.7Nickel alloys 82 and 1822.8Dissimilar metal welds2.9Internal cladding2.10Laboratory: macrograph of a welded joint
3.1Ductile-to-brittle transition curve3.2RTNDT shift3.3Influence of copper, nickel and phosphorus3.4Surveillance programmes3.5Charpy specimens3.6ASTM E1921 master curve3.7Regulatory Guide 1.993.810 CFR 50.61 requirements3.9Thermal annealing3.10Practical exercise: estimating the transition temperature shift
4.1Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking4.2PWSCC in Alloy 1824.3Primary water chemistry4.4Crack growth rate4.5Mitigation by peening and MSIP4.6Weld overlays4.7Inspection of susceptible locations4.8Industry cases4.9Predictive models4.10Workshop: SCC risk assessment
5.1ASME XI requirements5.2Phased array ultrasonics5.3TOFD technique5.4Inspection qualification5.5Remote in-vessel inspection5.6Eddy currents5.7Radiography5.8Access and personnel dose5.9Interpretation of indications5.10Laboratory: phased array inspection of a weld
6.1Linear elastic fracture mechanics6.2J-integral6.3Flaw evaluation according to ASME XI6.4Pressurised thermal shock6.5Leak-before-break criterion6.6Environmentally assisted fatigue6.7Finite element analysis6.8Probabilistic methods6.9Safety margins6.10Practical exercise: evaluating a detected flaw
7.1Repair welding7.2Welding of irradiated material7.3Helium-induced cracking7.4Ageing management programmes7.5Long-term operation7.6IAEA SSG-48 guide7.7Documentation and traceability7.8Lessons from operating experience7.9Research lines7.10Case study: repair plan for a nozzle
8.1Component selection8.2Irradiation history8.3Metallurgical characterisation8.4Embrittlement assessment8.5Inspection plan8.6Integrity assessment8.7Ageing management plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Abaqus, SRIM, ANSYS Mechanical and CIVA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for Charpy testing of surveillance specimens, phased array ultrasonic inspection of welds and fracture mechanics flaw evaluations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASME BPVC Section XI, ASME BPVC Section III, ASTM E1921, ASTM E185, 10 CFR 50.61, USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.99 (Rev. 2), IAEA SSG-48, ASTM E23.
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 Abaqus, SRIM, ANSYS Mechanical and CIVA, 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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