Apply now
Postgraduate DiplomaCivil, Rail & Smart Cities Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Incident Investigation and Methodologies

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Incident Investigation and Methodologies. 8 modules covering Directive (EU) 2016/798 (railway safety, accident investigation), Royal Decree 623/2014 (railway accident investigation and CIAF) and advanced Excel. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Interpret the regulatory framework for railway accident investigation.

02

Organise the initial response and fieldwork following an occurrence.

03

Collect and preserve physical and documentary evidence and records.

04

Carry out the technical analysis of causal factors.

05

Apply interview techniques and human factors analysis.

06

Use systemic causal analysis methodologies.

07

Write safety recommendations and an investigation report.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Railway accident investigator looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Human factors analyst looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Traffic safety technician looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Causal analysis consultant looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Lessons learned manager looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Railway technical expert looking to specialise in Incident Investigation and Methodologies.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join accident investigation bodies.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Directive (EU) 2016/798 (railway safety, accident investigation)
  • Royal Decree 623/2014 (railway accident investigation and CIAF)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/572 (structure of investigation reports)
  • Law 38/2015 on the Railway Sector
  • Regulation (EU) No 1078/2012 (CSM on monitoring)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) No 402/2013 (CSM on risk evaluation)
  • ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Directive (EU) 2016/798 and investigation bodies
  2. 1.2Railway Accident Investigation Commission
  3. 1.3Serious accidents, accidents and incidents
  4. 1.4Independence of the investigation
  5. 1.5Separation between technical and judicial investigation
  6. 1.6Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/572 on reports
  7. 1.7Notification obligations
  8. 1.8European network of investigation bodies
  9. 1.9Major accidents as a reference
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a published CIAF report
  1. 2.1Activation of the investigation team
  2. 2.2Evidence preservation
  3. 2.3Safety at the scene
  4. 2.4Photography and drone photogrammetry
  5. 2.5Recording positions and track marks
  6. 2.6Recovery of debris and components
  7. 2.7Custody of evidence
  8. 2.8Coordination with judicial authorities
  9. 2.9Investigation diary
  10. 2.10Workshop: fieldwork plan for a derailment
  1. 3.1Juridical on-board recorders
  2. 3.2Interlocking and CTC records
  3. 3.3Communications recordings
  4. 3.4ERTMS and ASFA data
  5. 3.5Maintenance records
  6. 3.6Meteorological data
  7. 3.7Timeline reconstruction
  8. 3.8Video analysis
  9. 3.9Data integrity and traceability
  10. 3.10Laboratory: timeline reconstruction from a recorder
  1. 4.1Derailment mechanics
  2. 4.2Nadal criterion and Y/Q ratio
  3. 4.3Collision analysis
  4. 4.4Metallurgical analysis of fractures
  5. 4.5Infrastructure failures
  6. 4.6Rolling stock failures
  7. 4.7Signalling failures
  8. 4.8Dynamic simulation for reconstruction
  9. 4.9Laboratory testing
  10. 4.10Practical: analysis of a derailment using the Y/Q ratio
  1. 5.1Cognitive interview techniques
  2. 5.2Interview planning
  3. 5.3Witnesses and personnel involved
  4. 5.4Analysis of errors and violations
  5. 5.5Fatigue and staff condition
  6. 5.6Workload and task design
  7. 5.7Operational communications
  8. 5.8Organisational factors
  9. 5.9Safety culture
  10. 5.10Workshop: interview script for a train driver
  1. 6.1Reason's Swiss cheese model
  2. 6.2Barrier analysis
  3. 6.3Cause tree
  4. 6.4ECFA methodology of events and causal factors
  5. 6.5STAMP and CAST method
  6. 6.6AcciMap analysis
  7. 6.7Five whys method
  8. 6.8Comparison of methodologies
  9. 6.9Investigator bias
  10. 6.10Practical: CAST analysis of an incident
  1. 7.1Structure of the final report
  2. 7.2Drafting findings and causes
  3. 7.3Formulating safety recommendations
  4. 7.4Addressees and recommendation follow-up
  5. 7.5Interim reports
  6. 7.6Consultation of parties
  7. 7.7Publication and dissemination
  8. 7.8Internal investigations within railway undertakings
  9. 7.9Effectiveness indicators for recommendations
  10. 7.10Case study: drafting safety recommendations
  1. 8.1Selection of the occurrence to study
  2. 8.2Evidence gathering
  3. 8.3Sequence reconstruction
  4. 8.4Technical analysis
  5. 8.5Human and organisational factors analysis
  6. 8.6Application of a causal methodology
  7. 8.7Safety recommendations
  8. 8.8Final report
  9. 8.9Project report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

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 intake 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 advanced Excel, NVivo, Causal analysis tools (TapRooT), Visio, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for analysing railway juridical recorders, reconstructing event sequences and conducting structured interviews with witnesses. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with a track record in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Selection of the occurrence to study

Interpret the regulatory framework for railway accident investigation.

Evidence gathering

Organise the initial response and fieldwork following an occurrence.

Sequence reconstruction

Collect and preserve physical and documentary evidence and records.

Technical analysis

Carry out the technical analysis of causal factors.

Human and organisational factors analysis

Apply interview techniques and human factors analysis.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Railway accident investigatorHuman factors analystTraffic safety technicianCausal analysis consultantLessons learned managerRailway technical expert
Admissions & scholarships

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.
  • Spanish language proficiency sufficient to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. This is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The programme uses advanced Excel, NVivo, Causal analysis tools (TapRooT), Visio, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the final 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
Postgraduate Diploma1,000 $

Postgraduate Diploma in Change Management and Risk Assessment

Online 800 h postgraduate diploma in Change Management and Risk Assessment. 8 modules covering Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 402/2013 (common safety method for risk evaluation and…

800 hOnlineCivil, Rail & Smart Cities
Postgraduate Diploma1,220 $

Diploma in Construction Auditing and Regulatory Compliance

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in construction auditing and regulatory compliance. 8 modules covering audit principles and techniques, regulatory compliance in construction, quality, environmental and…

6–8 monthsOnlineCivil, Rail & Smart Cities
Postgraduate Diploma1,000 $

Postgraduate Diploma in Automation and Control in Water Plants

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Automation and Control in Water Plants. 8 modules covering IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages), IEC 62443 (industrial control system cybersecurity) and…

800 hOnlineCivil, Rail & Smart Cities
Postgraduate Diploma in Incident Investigation and MethodologiesEnrol
Related programmes

More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities

Diploma in Collaborative Planning and LPSView programme →Diploma in Seismic Rehabilitation and VulnerabilityView programme →Diploma in Rehabilitation Works Management and Quality ControlView programme →Diploma in 4D/5D Planning and Digital Construction ControlView programme →Diploma in Wind Fatigue and Dynamic ResponseView programme →Diploma in Skyscraper Aerodynamics and Wind ComfortView programme →

All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.