Diploma in Ethics in Industrial Sovereignty
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ethics in industrial sovereignty. 8 modules covering strategic autonomy, ethical foundations, the European regulatory framework (Regulation (EU) 2019/452, Directive 2009/81/EC, Regulation (EU) 2021/697), industrial dependencies, corporate responsibility and governance, with NVivo and an assigned technical tutor.
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 concepts of industrial sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Analyse the ethical dilemmas of defence industrial policy.
Interpret the European framework for investment screening and procurement.
Assess technological and industrial dependencies.
Apply corporate responsibility and human rights frameworks.
Evaluate the social and territorial impact of strategic industry.
Formulate ethical recommendations for industrial policy.
Who it's for
- Defence industrial policy analysts.
- Business ethics consultants.
- Public affairs managers.
- Strategic investment analysts.
- Compliance advisers.
- Defence economics researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2019/452 (screening of foreign direct investment)
- Directive 2009/81/EC (defence and security procurement)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/697 (European Defence Fund)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1525 (Act in Support of Ammunition Production, ASAP)
- Arms Trade Treaty (international regulation of the trade in conventional arms)
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (responsible business conduct)
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (corporate human rights responsibility)
- NVivo
- Orbis (Bureau van Dijk)
- Power BI
- Zotero
8 modules
1.1Concepts of sovereignty and autonomy1.2European defence technological and industrial base1.3History of industrial policy1.4Globalisation and dependencies1.5Critical technologies1.6Economic security1.7The protectionism debate1.8Public and private actors1.9Sovereignty indicators1.10Case study: analysis of a technological dependency
2.1Ethics of industrial policy2.2The common good and security2.3Distributive justice2.4Ethics of the arms trade2.5Intergenerational responsibility2.6Transparency and accountability2.7Conflicts of interest2.8Ethics of state intervention2.9Dilemmas between efficiency and sovereignty2.10Workshop: structured ethical debate
3.1Foreign investment screening3.2Defence procurement3.3European Defence Fund3.4Act in Support of Ammunition Production3.5European Defence Industrial Strategy3.6State aid3.7Competition and mergers3.8Export control3.9National framework3.10Case study: screening of a foreign investment
4.1Dependency mapping4.2Critical raw materials4.3Semiconductors and electronics4.4Software and cloud4.5Intellectual property4.6Talent and capabilities4.7Funding and access to capital4.8Concentration risks4.9Reduction strategies4.10Practical: assessment of industrial dependencies
5.1UN Guiding Principles5.2OECD Guidelines5.3Human rights due diligence5.4Integrity and anti-corruption5.5Corporate governance5.6Sustainability reporting5.7ESG criteria and defence financing5.8Stakeholder relations5.9Grievance mechanisms5.10Case study: due diligence of a defence company
6.1Skilled employment6.2Territorial cohesion6.3Industrial clusters6.4Technology transfer to the civil sector6.5SMEs and the supply chain6.6Training and universities6.7Gender equality in industry6.8Social acceptance6.9Impact assessment6.10Workshop: territorial impact assessment of a plant
7.1Public decision-making bodies7.2Parliamentary involvement7.3Independent technical advice7.4Policy evaluation7.5Public communication7.6International cooperation7.7Comparative cases7.8Future scenarios7.9Policy recommendations7.10Practical: recommendations report
8.1Case selection8.2Stakeholder analysis8.3Applicable regulatory framework8.4Dependency analysis8.5Ethical assessment8.6Social impact8.7Governance proposal8.8Final opinion8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your 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 each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is NVivo, Orbis (Bureau van Dijk), Power BI and Zotero, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: ethical analysis of a foreign investment in a strategic company, assessment of industrial dependencies and a debate on European strategic autonomy. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2019/452, Directive 2009/81/EC, Regulation (EU) 2021/697, Regulation (EU) 2023/1525, Arms Trade Treaty, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
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 NVivo, Orbis (Bureau van Dijk), Power BI and Zotero, 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 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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