Master’s in High-Power Hydraulic Systems Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in high-power hydraulic systems engineering. 12 modules covering high-pressure components, high-flow circuits, dynamics and transients, thermal management, fluids and filtration, advanced electro-hydraulic control, energy efficiency, safety and UNE-EN ISO 4413, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in High-Power Hydraulic Systems Engineering — studying from Australia
Off-road and special-purpose vehicles are central to Australia's mining, agriculture, construction and emergency services sectors. Remote geography and harsh conditions create strong demand for robust machinery, including haul trucks, agricultural equipment and specialist fire and rescue vehicles. Engineers work on hydraulics, drivetrains, operator safety and machine automation. Employers include mining equipment manufacturers and dealers, agricultural machinery firms, construction companies and government fleet agencies.
Fees for Australia: A$12,600 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will this qualification be recognised by Australian engineering bodies for off-road vehicle work?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by Engineers Australia or any national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body assessing your application. Engineers Australia assesses competence independently, so check its requirements before enrolling if membership is your goal.
Which Australian employers work with off-road and special vehicles and machinery?
Mining and agricultural equipment makers, fleet operators, defence and emergency service vehicle suppliers, and four-wheel-drive modification businesses are examples. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria. Relevant experience and a practical final project are often as important as the qualification.
Can I study this online while working in Australia, and is there support?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online and taught in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. You can study from anywhere in Australia without a student visa. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible; check the total hours and plan a realistic schedule.
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
Design high-power, high-flow hydraulic circuits.
Select components for high pressures.
Analyse transients, resonances and cavitation.
Size the thermal management of the circuit.
Implement electro-hydraulic position and force control.
Apply high-pressure safety requirements.
Improve the energy efficiency of existing systems.
Who it's for
- High-power hydraulics engineers.
- Systems engineers for mining equipment.
- Electro-hydraulic control engineers.
- Hydraulic reliability specialists.
- Hydraulic test engineers.
- Maintenance technicians for large machines seeking an engineering-level view.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the mining sector.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN ISO 4413 (hydraulic fluid power)
- ISO 6162-2 (four-bolt high-pressure flanges)
- ISO 18752 (hydraulic hoses)
- ISO 4406 (particle contamination code)
- ISO 6743-4 (classification of hydraulic fluids)
- UNE-EN ISO 13849-1 (safety of control systems)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
- Simcenter Amesim
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Automation Studio
- Hopsan
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Applications in mining, cranes and drilling1.2Working pressures from 350 to 450 bar1.3Hydraulic power density1.4Reliability challenges at large scale1.5Multi-pump architectures1.6Comparison with electric drives1.7Lifecycle costs1.8Technology trends in the sector1.9Industrial reference cases1.10Case study: circuit of a 250 t mining excavator
2.1Large-displacement piston pumps2.2High-torque, low-speed motors2.3Cartridge valves and logic elements2.4Forged valve blocks2.5High-pressure steel tubing2.6Multi-spiral hoses2.7Four-bolt high-pressure flanges2.8Seals and sealing at high pressure2.9Component selection criteria2.10Laboratory: selection of flanges and tubing
3.1Open and closed power circuits3.2Flow summation between pumps3.3Two-way logic valves3.4Priorities between functions3.5Regeneration in large cylinders3.6Control of pressure losses3.7Water hammer in long lines3.8Line sizing and velocities3.9Standardised circuit diagrams3.10Practical exercise: boom circuit with flow summation
4.1Hydraulic stiffness of the actuator4.2Natural frequency of the system4.3Water hammer and pressure peaks4.4Pump flow pulsation4.5Cavitation and aeration4.6Damping of oscillations4.7Resonances in pipework4.8Dynamic modelling of the circuit4.9Mitigation techniques4.10Laboratory: measurement of pressure transients
5.1Losses and heat generation5.2Air-oil and water-oil heat exchangers5.3Hydraulically driven fans5.4Reservoir design5.5Oil operating temperature5.6Viscosity at cold start5.7Operation in extreme climates5.8Thermal simulation of the system5.9Cooling package design5.10Practical exercise: sizing an oil cooler
6.1High viscosity index mineral fluids6.2HFC and HFD fire-resistant fluids6.3HEES biodegradable fluids6.4Viscosity selection6.5High-pressure filtration strategy6.6Water control in the fluid6.7Dissolved air and foam6.8Periodic fluid analysis6.9Change intervals6.10Case study: fluid for underground mining
7.1Large proportional valves7.2Closed-loop position control7.3Force control in mobile presses7.4Cylinder synchronisation7.5Electronic pump control7.6Robust control algorithms7.7High-pressure sensors7.8Fieldbus communication7.9Control system diagnostics7.10Laboratory: synchronisation of two cylinders
8.1Throttling losses in valves8.2Variable displacement pumps8.3Independent metering of inlet and outlet8.4Recovery of potential energy8.5Variable-speed pumps8.6High-efficiency architectures8.7Field efficiency measurement8.8Improvements to existing circuits8.9Published success stories8.10Case study: reducing losses in a crane
9.1Hazards of stored hydraulic energy9.2Fluid injection injuries9.3Hose whip and restraints9.4Protective sleeves and shields9.5Safety valves and hose-burst valves9.6Lockout and tagout9.7Requirements of ISO 44139.8Accumulators and pressure equipment9.9Safe work procedures9.10Case study: depressurisation procedure
10.1Predictive maintenance of pumps10.2Condition sensors in the circuit10.3Oil analysis programmes10.4Thermography of components10.5Locating internal leaks10.6Failure analysis of pumps and motors10.7Replacement strategies10.8Management of critical spare parts10.9Downtime costs10.10Practical exercise: diagnosis by pressure and flow
11.1System modelling in Amesim11.2Models of high-pressure components11.3Validation with measured data11.4High-power test benches11.5Pressure endurance tests11.6Hardware-in-the-loop testing of the control11.7Circuit optimisation11.8Test data management11.9Technical validation reports11.10Laboratory: simulation of a 400 kW circuit
12.1Definition of machine and power12.2Work function requirements12.3Circuit architecture12.4Component selection12.5Dynamic analysis of the circuit12.6System thermal management12.7Safety analysis12.8Efficiency assessment12.9Master'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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, Automation Studio and Hopsan, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: measurement of pressure transients, testing of high-pressure components and diagnosis of high-power circuits. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UNE-EN ISO 4413, ISO 6162-2, ISO 18752, ISO 4406, ISO 6743-4, UNE-EN ISO 13849-1, Directive 2014/68/EU.
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 Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, Automation Studio and Hopsan, 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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