Master’s in Systems Architecture, Multi-Domain & MBSE Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in systems architecture, multi-domain and MBSE engineering. 12 modules covering ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, OMG SysML v2, MBSE methodologies, NAF/DoDAF/UAF frameworks, multi-domain operations, requirements engineering and model-based verification, using Capella, Cameo Systems Modeler and IBM DOORS, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Systems Architecture, Multi-Domain & MBSE Engineering — studying from Ireland
Ireland maintains a small defence force, the Defence Forces, which operates its own engineering corps and equipment maintenance capabilities. Defence procurement and development are handled through the Department of Defence, while much of the wider defence-related industrial activity involves dual-use technologies, electronics and communications systems supplied by domestic and international firms. Engineers in this area typically work on land vehicle maintenance, military communications, protective equipment and systems integration. Policy and procurement are governed by national and European frameworks, including EU defence initiatives.
Fees for Ireland: €9,930 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee defence engineering and does a private qualification count?
Defence in Ireland is overseen by the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces run their own training and technical structures. Engineers Ireland sets general professional engineering standards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state-awarded, and they are not accredited by any national body, so recognition for any defence-related role is decided by the relevant authority or employer.
Do Irish defence and land-systems employers hire people with private online qualifications?
Irish defence-related hiring is limited and often subject to security vetting and specific qualification requirements, so employers set their own criteria. A private online qualification may be taken into account alongside experience, but we cannot say how any employer will view it or guarantee any result. Check requirements for particular roles directly.
Can I study this from Ireland while working, and what is the workload?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without travel or a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Plan your weekly hours realistically around your job.
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
Apply systems thinking to the design of systems of systems.
Model architectures with SysML and MBSE methodologies.
Use architecture frameworks such as NAF, DoDAF and UAF.
Design interoperable architectures in multi-domain environments.
Manage requirements with full traceability.
Analyse architecture alternatives through simulation.
Integrate security and resilience from the design stage.
Who it's for
- Systems architects working on complex systems and systems of systems.
- MBSE engineers adopting SysML, Capella or Cameo in their organisation.
- Requirements engineers responsible for specification and traceability.
- Systems integration engineers planning incremental integration and verification.
- Interoperability managers working in multinational programmes.
- Enterprise architecture consultants using NAF, DoDAF, UAF or TOGAF.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the defence and security sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (system life cycle processes)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 (architecture description)
- OMG SysML v2 (systems modelling language)
- NATO Architecture Framework v4 (NAF)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148 (requirements engineering)
- NIST SP 800-160 (systems security engineering)
- DoDAF 2.02 (US DoD architecture framework)
- Capella
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- IBM DOORS
- Enterprise Architect
- MATLAB/Simulink
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Systems, systems of systems and emergence1.2Architecture versus design1.3Perspectives, views and viewpoints1.4The ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 standard1.5Quality attributes and trade-offs1.6Complexity and coupling1.7Reference architectures1.8The role of the systems architect1.9Architecture governance1.10Case study: decomposition of a coastal surveillance system
2.1Structural diagrams: BDD and IBD2.2Behaviour diagrams: activity and state machines2.3Sequence and use case diagrams2.4Requirements and parametrics2.5Profiles and stereotypes2.6SysML v2: new features and textual language2.7Modelling patterns2.8Good practice for readability2.9Commercial and open-source modelling tools2.10Workshop: SysML model of a subsystem in Cameo
3.1The Arcadia method and the Capella tool3.2INCOSE OOSEM3.3IBM Harmony SE3.4MagicGrid3.5Selecting a methodology3.6Integration with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 processes3.7Model and repository management3.8Reuse and product lines3.9MBSE maturity in the organisation3.10Practical exercise: operational analysis with Arcadia in Capella
4.1NATO NAF v4 framework4.2DoDAF 2.024.3MODAF and UAF4.4TOGAF as a civil reference4.5Metamodels and capability views4.6Operational, service and resource views4.7Capability architecture4.8Strategic alignment of investments4.9Interoperability between frameworks4.10Case study: NAF views of an emergency system
5.1The multi-domain operations concept5.2Integration of land, maritime, air, space and cyber domains5.3Joint command and control architectures5.4Technical, semantic and organisational interoperability5.5Federated Mission Networking5.6Acknowledged and directed systems of systems5.7Shared situational awareness5.8Data management in multi-domain environments5.9Lessons from major international programmes5.10Workshop: map of multi-domain interdependencies
6.1Capturing stakeholder needs6.2Functional and non-functional requirements6.3Requirements quality according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 291486.4Traceability to the model and verification6.5Requirements change management6.6Interface requirements6.7Requirements metrics6.8DOORS and Polarion tools6.9Validation with stakeholders6.10Practical exercise: requirements specification with EARS templates
7.1Analysis of alternatives and trade-offs7.2Parametric models and technical budgets7.3Executable behaviour simulation7.4Co-simulation with FMI/FMU7.5Performance and latency analysis7.6Reliability analysis from the model7.7Multi-objective optimisation7.8Sensitivity analysis7.9Integration with MATLAB and Modelica7.10Lab: parametric trade-off with SysML and Python
8.1Service-oriented architectures8.2Microservices and containers in critical systems8.3Modular open systems architectures (MOSA)8.4DDS middleware for real time8.5Common data models8.6FACE and SOSA reference architectures8.7Software configuration management8.8DevSecOps in complex systems8.9Software quality according to ISO/IEC 250108.10Case study: service architecture with DDS
9.1Functional safety from the architecture9.2Cybersecurity by design9.3STPA and STPA-Sec analysis9.4Threat modelling9.5Resilience of systems of systems9.6Domain separation and partitioning9.7Systems security engineering NIST SP 800-1609.8Assurance arguments9.9Integration with the MBSE model9.10Practical exercise: STPA-Sec analysis on a SysML model
10.1Model-based verification strategy10.2Virtual testing and digital twins10.3Incremental integration10.4Interoperability and experimentation environments10.5Acceptance testing10.6Non-conformance management10.7Operational validation10.8Verification traceability10.9Coverage metrics10.10Workshop: verification matrix generated from the model
11.1Systems engineering management plan (SEMP)11.2Technical reviews: SRR, PDR and CDR11.3Technical risk management11.4Interface management between organisations11.5Model-based cost and scheduling11.6Deploying MBSE in the organisation11.7Systems engineer competencies11.8Systems engineering in European programmes11.9Professional ethics for engineers11.10Case study: preparing a PDR review
12.1Definition of the system of systems12.2Stakeholder and needs analysis12.3Operational and functional modelling12.4Logical and physical architecture12.5Analysis of alternatives12.6Verification plan from the model12.7Interoperability assessment12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master'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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the 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 Capella, Cameo Systems Modeler, IBM DOORS, Enterprise Architect and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for modelling architectures with SysML, analysis of alternatives and parametric trade-offs, and model-based verification. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, OMG SysML v2, NATO Architecture Framework v4, ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148, NIST SP 800-160, DoDAF 2.02.
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 Capella, Cameo Systems Modeler, IBM DOORS, Enterprise Architect 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 degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a suitable computer 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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