Master’s in Decommissioning, Decontamination and Clearance (D&D) Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in decommissioning, decontamination and clearance (D&D) engineering. 12 modules covering the regulatory framework, radiological characterisation, decontamination of systems and structures, cutting and segmentation, clearance, waste management, radiation protection, project planning and final site closure, with IAEA GSR Part 6, Directive 2013/59/Euratom and VISIPLAN, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Decommissioning, Decontamination and Clearance (D&D) Engineering — studying from South Africa
South Africa is one of the few African countries with an operating nuclear power programme, centred on the Koeberg power station near Cape Town, operated by Eskom. The country also has nuclear research and fuel cycle activity through the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, known as Necsa, based at Pelindaba near Pretoria. Nuclear engineers work on reactor operation, safety, fuel management and decommissioning. The National Nuclear Regulator is the independent authority that licenses and oversees nuclear activities.
Fees for South Africa: R 166 000 (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 professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Nuclear activities in South Africa are regulated by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), and professional registration runs through ECSA. Acceptance of a private qualification in this regulated field rests with employers or the relevant authority, so verify before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in nuclear engineering?
Nuclear employers, including Eskom and specialist contractors, typically require formally recognised qualifications, security clearances and regulatory competence. A private SEIUM qualification may add background knowledge but is unlikely to meet formal requirements on its own. Discuss this with employers in the nuclear sector to understand how they would view it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before enrolling.
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 regulatory framework for decommissioning and closure.
Plan the radiological characterisation of a facility.
Select decontamination techniques for systems and structures.
Design cutting and segmentation strategies for components.
Apply the criteria for clearance of materials.
Manage radiation protection and waste across the project.
Verify the end state and prepare the closure declaration.
Who it's for
- Nuclear decommissioning engineers.
- Decontamination technicians.
- Clearance specialists.
- Decommissioning site managers.
- Radiation protection technicians.
- Nuclear project planners.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the radioactive waste management sector.
What you'll work with
- IAEA GSR Part 6 (decommissioning of facilities)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards for radiation protection)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Spanish regulation on protection against ionising radiation)
- IAEA GSR Part 3 (radiation protection and safety of radiation sources)
- NUREG-1575 MARSSIM (radiation survey and site investigation)
- Directive 2011/70/Euratom (management of spent fuel and radioactive waste)
- Royal Decree 102/2014 (Spanish regulation on spent fuel and radioactive waste management)
- VISIPLAN
- RESRAD
- MicroShield
- Primavera P6
- Autodesk Revit
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Life cycle of a nuclear facility1.2Shutdown, decommissioning and closure phases1.3IAEA requirements in GSR Part 61.4The Spanish framework and the role of ENRESA1.5Transfer of ownership after shutdown1.6Preliminary and final decommissioning plans1.7End state of the site and intended uses1.8Experience at José Cabrera and Garoña1.9NEA international programmes1.10Case study: regulatory milestones of a decommissioning project
2.1Operating history and documentary study2.2Activation inventory of the vessel and shielding2.3Contamination of systems and surfaces2.4Difficult-to-measure radionuclides and scaling factors2.5Sampling of concrete and metals2.6Gamma scanning and gamma imaging cameras2.73D laser scanning and radiological models2.8Characterisation databases2.9Characterisation uncertainties2.10Laboratory: radiological map of a pump room
3.1Decontamination objectives and factors3.2CORD and LOMI chemical processes3.3Chemical decontamination of the primary circuit3.4Management of decontamination effluents3.5Electrochemical decontamination of parts3.6Ultrasonics and chemical baths3.7Abrasive and dry ice blasting3.8Ultra-high-pressure water3.9Effectiveness assessment and final measurements3.10Practical exercise: process selection for a steam generator
4.1Penetration of contamination into concrete4.2Surface scabbling and milling4.3Laser ablation of coatings4.4Decontamination gels and foams4.5Strippable coatings and fixatives4.6Selective demolition of layers4.7Dust and aerosol control4.8Verification of decontaminated surfaces4.9Cost-dose optimisation of techniques4.10Case study: decontamination of the fuel building
5.1Segmentation of reactor vessel internals5.2Abrasive water jet cutting5.3Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting5.4Diamond wire for large components5.5Mechanical cutting with saws and milling cutters5.6Underwater segmentation and particle control5.7One-piece removal of large components5.8Remote handling and cutting robots5.9Packaging of segmented parts5.10Workshop: segmentation plan for a PWR vessel
6.1Concepts of clearance and exemption6.2Clearance levels under RD 1029/20226.3IAEA recommendations in GSR Part 36.4Unconditional and conditional clearance6.5Measurement methodology for clearance6.6Package monitors and portal monitors6.7Recycling of cleared metals6.8Management of concrete rubble6.9Process documentation and traceability6.10Practical exercise: clearance file for scrap metal
7.1Forecasting volumes by category7.2Minimisation from project design7.3Segregation at source and transit areas7.4Conditioning of very low-level waste7.5Transport and disposal containers7.6Management of special and mixed waste7.7Irradiated graphite and its challenges7.8El Cabril acceptance criteria7.9Project waste accounting7.10Case study: waste balance of a PWR plant
8.1ALARA optimisation in planning8.2Dose forecasting with 3D models8.3Temporary shielding and containment8.4Ventilation with HEPA filtration8.5Control of internal contamination8.6Respiratory protective equipment8.7Electronic dosimetry and telemetry8.8Contractor management and training8.9Project collective dose indicators8.10Laboratory: dose simulation with VISIPLAN
9.1Work breakdown structure9.2ISDC cost classification9.3Critical path scheduling9.4Risk and uncertainty management9.5Procurement and alliance models9.6Supply chain management9.7Use of BIM and digital twins9.8Document and configuration management9.9Progress control and earned value9.10Workshop: cost estimate for a decommissioning phase
10.1Decommissioning safety analysis10.2Conventional hazards in demolition10.3Fires and explosions during cutting10.4Liquid and gaseous effluents10.5Environmental radiological monitoring10.6Groundwater management10.7Environmental impact assessment10.8Communication with municipalities and the public10.9Emergency plans during decommissioning10.10Case study: risk assessment of a demolition
11.1Final radiological survey of the site11.2Statistical sampling design with MARSSIM11.3Dose criteria for release11.4Residual dose modelling with RESRAD11.5Partial release of land11.6Landscape restoration of the site11.7Closure declaration and transfer11.8Post-closure monitoring11.9International lessons learned11.10Practical exercise: final sampling plan for an outdoor area
12.1Selection of the facility to be studied12.2Radiological and materials inventory12.3Proposed decontamination strategy12.4Cutting and segmentation plan12.5Waste management and clearance12.6Dose and risk assessment12.7Planning and cost estimate12.8Project conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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, making it compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VISIPLAN, RESRAD, MicroShield, Primavera P6 and Autodesk Revit, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for pre-decommissioning radiological characterisation, decontamination and cutting planning, and material clearance files. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IAEA GSR Part 6 Decommissioning of Facilities, Directive 2013/59/Euratom, Royal Decree 1029/2022 (Regulation on health protection against the risks of exposure to ionising radiation), IAEA GSR Part 3 Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources, NUREG-1575 MARSSIM, Directive 2011/70/Euratom and Royal Decree 102/2014.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with VISIPLAN, RESRAD, MicroShield, Primavera P6 and Autodesk Revit, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme 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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