Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849. 8 modules covering IEC 61508, ISO 13849-1 and IFA SISTEMA. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849 — studying from South Africa
Electronics and telecommunications are substantial sectors in South Africa, with operators such as MTN, Vodacom and Telkom supporting national connectivity. Electronics manufacturers and design houses serve automotive, industrial and consumer markets, and embedded systems engineers are needed across these industries. Research at institutions such as Stellenbosch University and the CSIR contributes to advances in communications and signal processing. Compliance with national radio spectrum rules is overseen by the national communications regulator.
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 recognise electronics and telecom engineers, and does SEIUM feature?
ECSA registers engineering professionals in South Africa, and the Electronic Communications and Postal Act means telecom roles are regulated through ICASA and related licensing. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body, so check with them before enrolling.
Would this programme help me work in embedded systems or telecoms in South Africa?
South Africa has electronics manufacturers, telecom operators and technology firms that employ embedded and communications engineers. Employers typically weigh practical skills, experience and recognised qualifications. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Ask prospective employers whether they would value it.
Can I study around a job, and what English level is needed?
The programme is entirely online and taught in English, so you need solid English for coursework and tutor communication. Because it is remote, 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 supported by a technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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 IEC 61508 safety lifecycle.
Carry out risk assessments according to ISO 12100.
Design safety functions and calculate the PL according to ISO 13849.
Calculate hardware integrity metrics according to IEC 61508.
Structure safety cases with GSN arguments.
Gather and verify functional safety evidence.
Maintain compliance throughout the life of the system.
Who it's for
- Functional safety engineer looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- Functional safety assessor looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- Machinery design engineer looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- CE marking manager looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- Control systems engineer looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- Industrial safety consultant looking to specialise in Safety Case IEC 61508/ISO 13849.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61508
- ISO 13849-1
- ISO 12100
- ISO 13849-2
- IEC 62061
- Reglamento (UE) 2023/1230
- Directiva 2006/42/CE
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Concepts of risk, hazard and harm1.2IEC 61508 safety lifecycle1.3Safety functions and E/E/PE systems1.4Low and high demand modes1.5SIL integrity and PL level1.6Relationship between IEC 61508, IEC 62061 and ISO 138491.7Machinery Directive and Regulation 2023/12301.8Functional safety management1.9Competence and independent assessment1.10Case study: lifecycle of a machine
2.1ISO 12100 process2.2Hazard identification2.3Risk estimation and graphs2.4Determination of PLr according to ISO 13849-12.5SIL allocation according to IEC 620612.6Inherently safe, protective and information measures2.7Specification of safety functions2.8Residual risk and documentation2.9Task and operating mode analysis2.10Workshop: risk assessment of a cell
3.1Categories B, 1, 2, 3 and 43.2MTTFd, DCavg and CCF3.3Designated architectures3.4PL calculation with SISTEMA3.5Proven components and safety principles3.6Safety software SRESW and SRASW3.7Validation according to ISO 13849-23.8Diagnostics and test intervals3.9Common design errors3.10Laboratory: PL calculation of an emergency stop
4.1IEC 61508-2 hardware requirements4.2Safe failure fraction SFF4.3Hardware fault tolerance HFT4.4Calculation of PFDavg and PFH4.5Architectural constraints4.6Systematic faults and systematic capability4.7IEC 61508-3 software requirements4.8Techniques and measures by SIL4.9Certified elements and proven in use4.10Practice: PFH calculation of a subsystem
5.1Concept and purpose of the safety case5.2Claims, arguments and evidence5.3GSN notation5.4Product and process arguments5.5Argumentation patterns5.6Confidence and assurance arguments5.7Management of assumptions and limitations5.8Modular safety case5.9Argument editing tools5.10Workshop: GSN argument for a function
6.1Functional safety plan6.2Traceability of safety requirements6.3FMEDA analysis6.4Fault tree analysis6.5Verification and validation reports6.6Functional safety assessment6.7Change management and its impact6.8Findings log6.9Independent review of the case6.10Case study: FMEDA of an I/O module
7.1Notified and certification bodies7.2Machine technical file7.3EU Declaration of Conformity7.4Component certification7.5Maintenance of the safety case in operation7.6Periodic testing and proof testing7.7Modifications and re-evaluation7.8Lessons from incidents7.9Professional ethics in safety7.10Practice: audit of a technical file
8.1System and context of use8.2Risk assessment8.3Specification of safety functions8.4Design and calculation of PL or SIL8.5Complete GSN argument8.6Gathering of evidence8.7Critical review of the case8.8Maintenance plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IFA SISTEMA, exida exSILentia, Adelard ASCE, Isograph Reliability Workbench, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real validation procedures for machine safety functions, independent review of safety cases, and PL and PFH calculation of subsystems. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the IEC 61508 safety lifecycle.
Carry out risk assessments according to ISO 12100.
Design safety functions and calculate the PL according to ISO 13849.
Calculate hardware integrity metrics according to IEC 61508.
Structure safety cases with GSN arguments.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow the reading of 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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with IFA SISTEMA, exida exSILentia, Adelard ASCE, Isograph Reliability Workbench. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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