Master’s in Digital Substation Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in digital substation engineering. 12 modules covering IEC 61850, process bus architecture, PRP/HSR and PTP networks, GOOSE and sampled-value protection, asset monitoring, SCL engineering, testing and commissioning, IEC 62351 and IEC 62443 cybersecurity and virtualisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Digital Substation Engineering — studying from Canada
Canada's energy sector spans oil and gas in Alberta, hydroelectricity in Québec and Manitoba, nuclear generation in Ontario, and growing wind and solar capacity across several provinces. Transmission and distribution networks are operated by provincial utilities such as Hydro-Québec and Ontario Power Generation, alongside private operators. Grid modernisation, interconnection and energy efficiency are priority areas for engineers. Regulation is handled by provincial energy boards and the federal Canada Energy Regulator.
Fees for Canada: C$9,230 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Who licenses energy and power network engineers in Canada?
Power and energy engineers in Canada usually obtain Professional Engineer licences from provincial associations, which regulate the use of the title and require accredited education and experience. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not official state degrees and not accredited by a national body, so they do not themselves grant licensing. Employers or relevant bodies decide recognition, so verify this first.
Do Canadian utilities and energy employers value this type of training?
Canadian utilities and energy firms, including those in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, typically prioritise licensed engineers and verifiable operational experience. A SEIUM qualification may complement your profile, and a strong final project can help demonstrate skills, but its acceptance is for each employer to decide. Ask employers what they expect before enrolling.
Can I study alongside a job, and what about funding and language?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa and plan sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Instruction is in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is 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 architecture of a digital substation.
Apply the IEC 61850 data model and services.
Design redundant, synchronised communication networks.
Configure protection schemes based on digital messages.
Plan testing and commissioning of digital systems.
Implement cybersecurity measures in substations.
Manage the migration of conventional substations.
Who it's for
- Protection and control engineers.
- Substation automation engineers.
- IEC 61850 specialists.
- Commissioning engineers.
- OT cybersecurity specialists.
- Substation project managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into power transmission.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61850 (series, communication in substations)
- IEC 62351 (security of power system communications)
- IEC 62443 (security of industrial automation systems)
- IEC 62439-3 (PRP and HSR)
- IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3 (PTP profile for power utility automation)
- IEC 61869-9 (digital interface for instrument transformers)
- Royal Decree 337/2014 (Spanish regulation on high-voltage electrical installations)
- IEC 60255 (measuring relays and protection equipment)
- Helinks STS
- Omicron StationScout
- Wireshark
- SEL AcSELerator Architect
- Siemens DIGSI
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Busbar configurations1.2HV and MV switchyard equipment1.3Conventional protection and control systems1.4Limitations of copper wiring1.5The digital substation concept1.6Benefits in cost, safety and space1.7Digitalisation roadmap1.8Experiences of European operators1.9Barriers to adoption1.10Case study: comparison of conventional and digital architectures
2.1Structure of the IEC 61850 series2.2Data model and logical nodes2.3SCL configuration language2.4SSD, SCD, ICD and CID files2.5MMS client-server services2.6High-priority GOOSE messages2.7Sampled values (SV)2.8Editions of the standard2.9Interoperability profiles2.10Laboratory: configuring an IED using SCL
3.1Station, bay and process levels3.2Station bus and process bus3.3Merging units at process level3.4Non-conventional instrument transformers3.5Circuit breakers with integrated electronics3.6Redundant control architectures3.7Control system design3.8Interface with the control centre3.9Integration of existing equipment3.10Practical exercise: architecture design for a 220 kV substation
4.1Industrial Ethernet in substations4.2Network topologies4.3PRP and HSR redundancy4.4PTP time synchronisation4.5VLANs and quality of service4.6Latency and determinism4.7Switches for substations4.8Wide area networks4.9Network testing4.10Laboratory: PRP and PTP on a test network
5.1GOOSE-based protection5.2Teleprotection schemes5.3Distributed busbar differential protection5.4Protection with sampled values5.5Digital interlocking between bays5.6Protection testing5.7Selectivity and timing5.8Topology-adaptive protection5.9Centralised server-based protection5.10Practical exercise: breaker failure scheme using GOOSE
6.1Transformer monitoring6.2Online dissolved gas analysis6.3Circuit breaker monitoring6.4Partial discharge monitoring6.5Thermography and sensors6.6Digital twins of assets6.7Predictive maintenance of switchgear6.8Analytics platforms6.9Integration with ISO 550006.10Case study: monitoring plan for a power transformer
7.1IEC 61850 engineering workflow7.2System configuration tools7.3IED configuration tools7.4Version management7.5Requirements specification7.6Digital project documentation7.7Virtual engineering and twins7.8Factory acceptance testing7.9Change management7.10Workshop: producing a complete SCD file
8.1Conformance testing8.2Interoperability testing8.3Injection of sampled values8.4Simulation of GOOSE messages8.5Test mode according to IEC 618508.6Site acceptance testing8.7Phased commissioning8.8Disturbance records8.9Commissioning lessons8.10Laboratory: protection testing with digital injection equipment
9.1Threats to substations9.2IEC 62351 for communication security9.3IEC 62443 in automation9.4Segmentation and defence in depth9.5Remote access management9.6Security monitoring9.7Patch management9.8Incident response9.9Network code on cybersecurity9.10Practical exercise: risk analysis of a digital substation
10.1Virtualised protection and control10.2Common hardware platforms10.3Containers in substations10.4Edge computing in the substation10.5Synchrophasors and WAMS10.6Integration with DER10.7Renewable collector substations10.8Mobile and modular substations10.9Emerging virtualisation standards10.10Case study: virtualised protection pilot
11.1Migration strategies11.2Retrofit of existing substations11.3Life-cycle costs11.4Staff training11.5Maintenance of digital systems11.6Equipment obsolescence11.7Suppliers and standardisation11.8Project risk management11.9Success indicators11.10Workshop: migration plan for a conventional substation
12.1Definition of the substation12.2Requirements specification12.3Architecture and communications12.4Protection and control schemes12.5IEC 61850 configuration12.6Test plan12.7Cybersecurity and migration12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Helinks STS, Omicron StationScout, Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator Architect and Siemens DIGSI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures for configuring IEDs with SCL files, protection testing with sampled values and GOOSE traffic analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEC 61850, IEC 62351, IEC 62443, IEC 62439-3, IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3, IEC 61869-9, Royal Decree 337/2014, IEC 60255.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 Helinks STS, Omicron StationScout, Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator Architect and Siemens DIGSI, 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 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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