Master’s in OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub — OT/IT interoperability and security. 12 modules covering fundamentals, standards, modelling and simulation, design, materials, systems integration, reliability, validation, operation and project management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub — studying from Ireland
Ireland's manufacturing and technology sectors create strong demand for robotics, automation and control engineering, particularly in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food processing and electronics. Research centres and universities contribute work in autonomous systems, sensing and control theory, with links to industry through national research programmes. Engineers in this area design, integrate and commission robotic cells, programmable logic controllers and industrial automation systems. Safety requirements for machinery and robotic systems are overseen by national safety authorities and European machinery standards.
Fees for Ireland: €6,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies relate to robotics and control engineering, and is this qualification recognised?
Robotics and control engineers in Ireland commonly pursue membership through Engineers Ireland, and the Science Foundation Ireland-funded research ecosystem supports the field. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body rather than conferred by the programme.
How do Irish employers in automation and robotics view private online training?
Employers in Ireland's technology and manufacturing automation sectors often value demonstrable project work and practical skills. A private online qualification can support your application, including through the final project, but its weight is at each employer's discretion. No particular role or career outcome is guaranteed.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and what language is it taught in?
The programme is taught entirely in English and delivered 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in Ireland or abroad. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and an assigned technical tutor supports you throughout.
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
Master the technical fundamentals of OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub (OT/IT interoperability and security) and its regulatory vocabulary.
Apply ISO 10218-1 and -2, ISO/TS 15066 (collaborative operation) and ISO 13849 to real design and validation decisions.
Build and correlate calculation models with ROS 2 and MoveIt.
Plan and run test campaigns in a collaborative robot cell and on a 3D vision bench.
Analyse operating data and translate it into engineering decisions.
Prepare the technical and compliance dossier required by the client or the regulator.
Lead the technical side of a OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub project from start to finish.
Who it's for
- Robotics engineers looking to specialise in OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub (OT/IT interoperability and security).
- PLC programmers who want to take on a broader engineering role.
- Machine vision specialists working on automated production.
- Control engineers seeking a systems-level perspective.
- Robot cell integrators.
- Automation managers responsible for line performance.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- ISO 10218-1 and -2 (safety requirements for industrial robots and robot systems)
- ISO/TS 15066 (collaborative robot operation)
- ISO 13849 (safety-related parts of control systems)
- IEC 62061 (functional safety of machinery control systems)
- ISO 3691-4 (driverless industrial trucks, AGV/AMR)
- IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages)
- ISO 9283 (performance criteria for industrial robots)
- IEC 62443 (industrial automation cybersecurity)
- Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (EU machinery safety requirements)
- ROS 2
- MoveIt
- Gazebo
- NVIDIA Isaac Sim
- MATLAB/Simulink
12 modules
1.1Fundamental concepts and quantities of OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub1.2Technology landscape and state of the art1.3Technical terminology and reference documentation1.4Physical and engineering principles applied to the case1.5Functional architecture: from requirements to components1.6Interfaces and dependencies with adjacent systems1.7Typical use cases in the sector1.8Common errors and how to detect them early1.9Data sources and quality criteria1.10Guided initial diagnosis exercise
2.1Applicable regulatory framework: overview2.2Regulatory hierarchy and conflicts between standards2.3Mandatory requirements versus good practice2.4Acceptance criteria and required evidence2.5Technical documentation and traceability2.6Change management and configuration control2.7Audits, inspections and non-conformities2.8Responsibilities and division of scope2.9Interpretation of critical clauses2.10Exercise: regulatory checklist
3.1Setting up the model: assumptions and simplifications3.2Selection of tools and working environment3.3Preparation of input data3.4Workflow and good modelling practice3.5Discretisation and case preparation3.6Boundary conditions and load cases3.7Convergence control and numerical verification3.8Sensitivity analysis and parametric study3.9Automation and reuse of models3.10Exercise: building a base model
4.1Reduced-order and detailed models4.2Coupling between physical domains4.3Parameter calibration with real data4.4Uncertainty propagation4.5Multi-objective optimisation4.6Digital twins and in-service models4.7Computational cost and calculation strategies4.8Cross-validation of results4.9Model documentation and versioning4.10Exercise: complete simulation campaign
5.1Design requirements and starting criteria5.2Solution alternatives and comparative analysis5.3Sizing and safety margins5.4Selection of materials, equipment or components5.5Integration with the rest of the system5.6Cost, schedule and manufacturing constraints5.7Reliability, maintainability and service life5.8Sustainability and efficiency in design5.9Design review and risk management5.10Exercise: documented design proposal
6.1Material families and selection criteria6.2Critical components and their failure modes6.3Manufacturing processes and their limits6.4Tolerances, fits and dimensional control6.5Treatments, coatings and protection6.6Emerging technologies applicable to OPC UA, MQTT Sparkplug and Pub/Sub6.7Obsolescence and continuity of supply6.8Environmental footprint and circular economy6.9Qualification of components and suppliers6.10Exercise: comparative technical data sheet
7.1System architecture and functional breakdown7.2Interface definition and control7.3Protocols and data exchange7.4Progressive integration and interface testing7.5Electromagnetic and environmental compatibility7.6Configuration management of the whole system7.7Resolving conflicts between subsystems7.8Fine-tuning the integrated system7.9Traceability from requirements to verification7.10Exercise: interface matrix
8.1Hazard identification and preliminary analysis8.2Failure modes and effects analysis8.3Fault trees and quantitative analysis8.4Allocation of reliability targets8.5Barriers, redundancies and fault tolerance8.6Human factors and operating errors8.7Safety evidence and argumentation8.8Risk management throughout the life cycle8.9Indicators and in-service monitoring8.10Exercise: risk analysis of a case
9.1Verification and validation strategy9.2Test plan: scope and coverage9.3Instrumentation and data acquisition9.4Laboratory testing versus field testing9.5Correlation between model and measurement9.6Handling uncertainty and tolerances9.7Failure analysis and corrective actions9.8Commissioning and acceptance criteria9.9Documentation of the validation file9.10Exercise: validation report
10.1Commissioning and handover to operation10.2Preventive and predictive maintenance plans10.3Condition monitoring and diagnostics10.4Spare parts, logistics and availability10.5Obsolescence management and upgrades10.6Availability and performance indicators10.7Life-cycle cost10.8Life extension and repowering10.9Decommissioning and end of life10.10Exercise: maintenance plan
11.1Scope, schedule and cost of the technical project11.2Estimating and budget control11.3Procurement and supplier relations11.4Technical teams and communication11.5Technical and economic feasibility analysis11.6Environmental and social criteria11.7Sustainability regulations and reporting11.8Change management and stakeholders11.9Project close-out and lessons learned11.10Exercise: business case
12.1Choice of topic and scope of the thesis12.2State of the art and review of sources12.3Problem statement and objectives12.4Applied research methodology12.5Technical development supervised by the thesis director12.6Analysis of results and discussion12.7Conclusions and future work12.8Writing the dissertation12.9Preparing the defence12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel and assessment
How you'll learn
Training is 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 the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2, MoveIt, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from a collaborative robot cell, a 3D vision bench and a real-time control laboratory. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 10218-1 and -2, ISO/TS 15066, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, ISO 3691-4, IEC 61131-3, ISO 9283, IEC 62443, Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
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.
- 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 ROS 2, MoveIt, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim and MATLAB/Simulink, 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 demonstrable 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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