Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) provides specialised training in the use of electrical stimulation for the rehabilitation and improvement of motor function in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. This Postgraduate Diploma focuses on the application of controlled electrical currents to activate specific muscles, facilitating movement and promoting functional recovery. It includes knowledge of neurophysiology, design of stimulation programmes, and the selection of equipment and parameters appropriate for each clinical case. It focuses on clinical practice and research in the field of rehabilitation, with an emphasis on improving patients' quality of life.
The programme includes practical training in the use of different FES devices, as well as the assessment and monitoring of patients. Topics covered include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other conditions that may benefit from FES. Participants will learn to integrate FES into comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, using gait analysis and biomechanics tools to optimise outcomes. This training prepares participants for professional roles in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitation medicine, improving care for patients with motor disabilities.
Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) — studying from Australia
Health technology and biomechanics are growing areas in Australia, supported by a strong medical research sector and an established medical device industry. Wearable devices and occupational safety systems are increasingly used in mining, construction and healthcare. Medical devices are regulated nationally, requiring engineers to understand conformity, risk management and clinical evaluation. Employers include medical device manufacturers, hospitals, research institutes such as those affiliated with universities, and workplace safety consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$2,050 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by Engineers Australia or other professional bodies for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications and are not accredited by Engineers Australia or any other national body. Recognition is decided by individual employers and, where relevant, by the professional body assessing your application. Engineers Australia assesses skills and experience independently, so check directly with the body you hope to join before enrolling.
Which Australian employers might value this training in health, biomechanics or wearable safety work?
Employers in Australian medical device firms, rehabilitation services, workplace health and safety teams and wearable technology companies may consider advanced engineering training when hiring. Whether they value a private qualification depends on each employer's own policy and on your existing experience. Speaking with prospective employers about how they view private qualifications is a sensible step.
Can I study this alongside full-time work in Australia, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from any time zone, including Australian time zones, around your work hours. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible; ask your employer whether they fund training. Plan for the workload of 300 to 1,900 hours depending on the programme, and confirm the schedule with SEIUM.
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
Explain the neuromuscular physiology relevant to electrical stimulation.
Select safe and effective stimulation parameters.
Design electrodes and controlled current output stages.
Implement open-loop and closed-loop control strategies.
Apply FES to gait and standing.
Develop FES applications for the upper limb.
Plan the clinical evaluation and regulatory compliance of the system.
Who it's for
- Neurostimulation engineer who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Rehabilitation engineer who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Biomedical hardware engineer who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Neuroprosthetics researcher who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Biomedical control engineer who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Clinical specialist in rehabilitation technologies who wishes to specialise in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter hospitals and rehabilitation services.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60601-2-10 (nerve and muscle stimulators)
- IEC 60601-1 (safety of medical electrical equipment)
- ISO 14971 (risk management)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR)
- IEC 60601-1-2 (electromagnetic compatibility)
- IEC 62304 (medical device software)
- ISO 14708-3 (neurostimulator implants)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Action potential and nerve excitability1.2Motor unit and recruitment1.3Muscle fibres and types of contraction1.4Upper and lower motor neurones1.5Spinal cord injury: levels and the ASIA scale1.6Stroke and motor control1.7Denervated versus intact peripheral nerve1.8Stimulation-induced muscle fatigue1.9Neural plasticity and rehabilitation1.10Case study: selecting candidates for FES
2.1Electrode–tissue interface2.2Amplitude, pulse width and frequency2.3Monophasic and biphasic pulses2.4Intensity–duration curve2.5Non-physiological recruitment order2.6Charge density and safety limits2.7Current-controlled versus voltage-controlled stimulation2.8NMES, TENS and FES: differences2.9Models of muscle response2.10Laboratory: recruitment curve with a stimulator
3.1Surface electrodes: hydrogel and textiles3.2Implantable and percutaneous electrodes3.3Multi-field electrodes and selectivity3.4Architecture of a stimulator3.5Output stages and current sources3.6Isolation and electrical safety3.7Power supply and battery management3.8Wireless stimulation3.9Standard IEC 60601-2-103.10Practical: waveform analysis with an oscilloscope
4.1Open-loop control and sequences4.2Closed-loop control with sensors4.3Inertial and force sensors4.4Control via voluntary EMG4.5PID and adaptive control4.6Musculoskeletal models for control4.7Gait phase detection4.8Brain–computer interfaces and FES4.9Fatigue compensation4.10Laboratory: closed-loop control of wrist flexion
5.1Foot drop and peroneal nerve stimulation5.2FES-assisted gait5.3FES cycling in spinal cord injury5.4Standing and transfers5.5FES rowing5.6Hybrid systems with exoskeletons5.7Cardiovascular effects and pressure ulcer prevention5.8Commercial devices for foot drop5.9Evidence in stroke and multiple sclerosis5.10Case study: FES cycling programme
6.1Grasp and reach in tetraplegia6.2Hand neuroprostheses6.3FES in stroke rehabilitation6.4Diaphragm stimulation6.5Bladder control and sacral stimulation6.6Dysphagia and pharyngeal stimulation6.7Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation6.8Controlled contralateral stimulation6.9Integration with rehabilitation robotics6.10Workshop: designing a grasp protocol with FES
7.1Outcome measures: Fugl-Meyer and gait speed7.2Designing clinical trials with FES7.3Safety: burns, autonomic dysreflexia and contraindications7.4Classification and CE marking of the stimulator7.5ISO 14971 applied to stimulators7.6Usability in home use7.7Patient adherence7.8Clinical practice guidelines7.9Cost-effectiveness7.10Practical: critical appraisal of a published trial
8.1Definition of the clinical application8.2System requirements8.3Selection of electrodes and parameters8.4Control strategy8.5Prototype or simulation8.6Clinical evaluation plan8.7Risk analysis8.8Regulatory plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the 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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, OpenSim, LabVIEW, Python (SciPy), COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real test-bench procedures for measuring stimulation pulses, FES-assisted sessions on a cycle ergometer, and gait analysis with stimulation. Assessment is continuous by 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.
Explain the neuromuscular physiology relevant to electrical stimulation.
Select safe and effective stimulation parameters.
Design electrodes and controlled current output stages.
Implement open-loop and closed-loop control strategies.
Apply FES to gait and standing.
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 technical regulatory texts.
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, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme works with MATLAB/Simulink, OpenSim, LabVIEW, Python (SciPy), COMSOL Multiphysics. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute 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 credited towards the advanced programme. Please consult the recognition policy when enrolling.
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