Master’s in Space Policy and Law, ITAR/EAR & Export Controls Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in space policy and law, ITAR/EAR and export controls engineering. 12 modules covering the UN space treaties, national space legislation, space policy and governance, ITAR, EAR, EU dual-use controls, internal compliance programmes, space contracts and liability, spectrum and orbits, and new legal and ethical challenges, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Space Policy and Law, ITAR/EAR & Export Controls Engineering — 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 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 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
Interpret the United Nations treaties governing space activities.
Analyse national legislation on the licensing and supervision of operators.
Classify products and technologies under ITAR, the EAR and European dual-use rules.
Design internal export control compliance programmes.
Assess liability, insurance and contracting in space projects.
Manage spectrum and orbital positions before the ITU.
Evaluate the ethical and security implications of space policies.
Who it's for
- Export compliance managers in the space and defence industries.
- Space law advisers.
- Space policy analysts.
- Space activity licensing managers.
- Space regulation consultants.
- International contracts managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the space industry.
What you'll work with
- 1967 Outer Space Treaty (principles governing the activities of States in outer space)
- 1972 Liability Convention (international liability for damage caused by space objects)
- 1975 Registration Convention (registration of objects launched into outer space)
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 CFR 120-130)
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR, 15 CFR 730-774)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (EU export control regime for dual-use items)
- Spanish Law 8/2014 (foreign trade in defence and dual-use material)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international use of the radio spectrum and orbits)
- Descartes Visual Compliance
- SAP GTS
- Amber Road (E2open)
- Westlaw
- Microsoft Purview
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Origins of space law and COPUOS1.2The 1967 Outer Space Treaty1.3The Rescue Agreement1.4The Liability Convention1.5The Registration Convention1.6The Moon Agreement and its limited ratification1.7General Assembly principles and resolutions1.8Soft law and sustainability guidelines1.9Current debates at COPUOS1.10Case study: liability analysis of the Cosmos 954 case
2.1State obligations of authorisation and supervision2.2Space laws of France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom2.3FAA and FCC licensing in the United States2.4The Spanish framework and the Spanish Space Agency2.5National registries of space objects2.6Insurance and guarantee requirements2.7Space resources laws2.8The proposed European Union space law2.9Comparison of licensing regimes2.10Workshop: licence application file for an operator
3.1European space policy and the role of ESA3.2EU programmes: Galileo, Copernicus and IRIS²3.3United States space policy and Artemis3.4The Artemis Accords and their principles3.5Emerging space powers3.6Space security and strategic stability3.7Initiatives on norms of responsible behaviour3.8Space diplomacy and cooperation3.9The link between industrial policy and space3.10Case study: comparison of national space strategies
4.1Rationale for export controls4.2The Wassenaar Arrangement and the MTCR4.3Dual-use items versus defence articles4.4Concepts of export, re-export and transfer4.5Technology, technical data and services4.6Intangible exports and cloud transfers4.7End users and end uses4.8Sanctioned entity lists4.9Economic sanctions and embargoes4.10Practical exercise: identifying controlled transactions
5.1Structure of the ITAR5.2The USML munitions list and Category XV5.3Jurisdiction and the determination procedure5.4Registration with the DDTC5.5DSP-5 licences and TAAs5.6Defence services and technical data5.7Foreign persons and nationalities5.8Violations, voluntary disclosures and penalties5.9ITAR-free products and their limits5.10Case study: analysis of a technical assistance agreement
6.1Structure of the EAR6.2The Commerce Control List (CCL)6.3ECCNs and the 9x515 series6.4De minimis rule and foreign direct product rule6.5Applicable licence exceptions6.6Entity and end-user lists6.7Classification and self-classification6.8Records and recordkeeping obligations6.9Space export control reforms6.10Practical exercise: ECCN classification of a satellite subsystem
7.1Regulation (EU) 2021/8217.2Annex I and product categories7.3Individual, global and general authorisations7.4Catch-all controls7.5Intra-Community transfers of defence products7.6Spanish regulations and the competent authority7.7Defence material and Common Position 2008/9447.8Technical assistance and brokering7.9Coordination between Member States7.10Workshop: Spanish export licence application
8.1Elements of a compliance programme8.2Management commitment8.3Export risk assessment8.4Product and technology classification8.5Control of visitors and foreign staff8.6Supplier and customer management8.7Training and awareness8.8Internal audits and improvement8.9IT tools for compliance8.10Case study: design of an internal compliance programme
9.1Launch contracts and their clauses9.2Cross-waivers of liability9.3Satellite manufacturing contracts9.4Launch and in-orbit insurance9.5Third-party liability9.6Arbitration and dispute resolution9.7ESA procurement9.8Intellectual property in space projects9.9Financing and security interests over assets9.10Workshop: analysis of a launch contract
10.1The ITU Constitution and Convention10.2The Radio Regulations10.3Coordination and notification procedures10.4Equitable access to geostationary positions10.5Non-geostationary systems and EPFD limits10.6Deployment milestones for constellations10.7Harmful interference and its resolution10.8World Radiocommunication Conferences10.9National spectrum licences10.10Case study: the ITU filing process
11.1Space resources and mining11.2Space debris and liability11.3In-orbit servicing and consent11.4Space traffic management11.5Cybersecurity of space systems11.6Privacy and Earth observation11.7Protection of the dark sky11.8Ethics of the militarisation of space11.9Space tourism and private crewed flights11.10Practical exercise: legal opinion on a space resources case
12.1Selecting the legal or policy problem12.2Review of regulatory sources12.3Comparative analysis of regimes12.4Compliance risk assessment12.5Proposed solution or policy12.6Impact analysis12.7Ethical and security discussion12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 each intake, so the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is Descartes Visual Compliance, SAP GTS, Amber Road (E2open), Westlaw and Microsoft Purview, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for classifying space products against control lists, licence analysis for an international mission and compliance assessment across a supply chain. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the 1972 Liability Convention, the 1975 Registration Convention, ITAR (22 CFR 120-130), EAR (15 CFR 730-774), Regulation (EU) 2021/821, Spanish Law 8/2014 and the ITU Radio Regulations.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 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 Descartes Visual Compliance, SAP GTS, Amber Road (E2open), Westlaw and Microsoft Purview, 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 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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