Master’s in Range Extenders and Micro-Hybrids (48 V)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in range extenders and micro-hybrids (48 V). 12 modules covering start-stop systems, 48 V electrical architecture (VDA 320, ISO 21780), mild hybrid electric machines and batteries, range extenders, control strategies, modelling and simulation, integration and validation (ISO 26262, WLTP, RDE), applications, cost and regulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Range Extenders and Micro-Hybrids (48 V) — studying from Malta
Malta has a strong culture of two-wheeled transport, with scooters and motorcycles widely used given the island's dense traffic and limited parking. This has created a steady market for dealerships, workshops and parts suppliers serving riders. Engineers interested in 2-wheelers can find roles in servicing, technical support and the importation of vehicles and components. Opportunities also arise in electric scooter and light mobility, which are gaining attention in urban policy discussions.
Fees for Malta: €6,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Does a SEIUM qualification count for regulated vehicle engineering in Malta?
Vehicle type approval and homologation in Malta follow EU frameworks administered through the Transport Malta authority. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private and not official state degrees or accredited by any national body. Whether they are recognised for particular roles is decided by employers or the relevant body, so it is worth confirming before enrolling.
What career opportunities for 2-wheeler engineers exist in Malta?
Malta has a small market for motorcycles and two-wheelers, mainly through dealerships, importers, servicing and parts supply. Opportunities are limited compared with larger countries, so many professionals work in adjacent areas such as electronics or design. Employers decide how much value they place on a private online qualification, so direct conversations with them are advisable.
Is the programme workload manageable alongside work, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English. Hours range from 300 for specialist courses to 1,900 for master's programmes, so choose according to the time you can commit. Fees are payable in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and each student has an assigned technical tutor for guidance.
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
Compare micro-hybrids, mild hybrids and range extenders.
Design 48 V electrical architectures.
Size 48 V electric machines and batteries.
Select and model range extenders.
Develop energy control strategies.
Integrate and validate systems in the vehicle.
Assess cost and regulatory compliance.
Who it's for
- 48 V systems engineers.
- Powertrain electrification engineers.
- Calibration engineers working on hybrid strategies.
- Range extender specialists.
- Simulation engineers in vehicle energy modelling.
- Validation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- VDA 320 (48 V electrical systems in vehicles)
- ISO 21780 (48 V supply voltage requirements)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 (WLTP) (light vehicle emissions type approval)
- ISO 26262 (road vehicle functional safety)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/631 (CO2 standards for cars)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 (Euro 7) (vehicle emissions type approval)
- ISO 16750-2 (electrical loads on vehicle equipment)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- GT-SUITE
- AVL Cruise M
- Vector CANape
12 modules
1.1Degrees of vehicle electrification1.2The micro-hybrid and mild hybrid concept1.3The range extender concept1.4Benefits in fuel consumption and emissions1.5Cost per gram of CO2 avoided1.6WLTP cycles and type approval1.7REEV utility factor1.8Commercial 48 V cases1.9Commercial REEV cases1.10Case study: comparison of solutions in a compact car
2.1Automatic start and stop2.2Reinforced starter motors2.3Smart alternators with regeneration2.4AGM and EFB batteries2.512 V energy management2.6Stop-in-motion strategies2.7Comfort and driver perception2.8Limitations of the micro-hybrid2.9Fault diagnosis2.10Practical exercise: analysis of a start-stop cycle
3.1The VDA 320 standard for 48 V3.2Coexistence of 12 V and 48 V3.3Bidirectional DC/DC converters3.448 V distribution and wiring3.5Protection and safety3.6DC electric arcs3.7High-consumption 48 V loads3.8Electric compressors and heaters3.9Electric turbocharger and e-compressor3.10Laboratory: electrical balance of a 48 V network
4.1Belt starter generators (BSG)4.2Crankshaft integrated starter generators (ISG)4.3P0 to P4 positions in 48 V4.4Reluctance and permanent magnet machines4.5Air and water cooling4.6Torque control and regeneration4.7Torque assist at pull-away4.8Engine-off coasting (sailing)4.9Efficiency and losses4.10Case study: sizing a BSG
5.1Power versus energy requirements5.2High-power cells5.3Compact pack design5.4Pack cooling5.5BMS for 48 V5.6Location in the vehicle5.7Service life under micro-cycles5.8Safety testing5.9Battery system cost5.10Practical exercise: sizing a 48 V pack
6.1REEV series architecture6.2Dedicated combustion engines6.3Wankel rotary engines6.4Gas microturbines6.5Fuel cells as range extenders6.6High-speed generators6.7Optimum operating point6.8Noise, vibration and perception6.9Integration into electric platforms6.10Laboratory: REEV model in Simulink
7.1Energy management in mild hybrids7.2Brake energy recovery7.3Range extender start-up strategies7.4State-of-charge management7.5Predictive control with navigation7.6Fuel consumption optimisation7.7Cold-start emissions strategies7.8Test bench calibration7.9Robustness of strategies7.10Case study: start-up strategy for a REEV
8.1Longitudinal vehicle models8.2Combustion engine models8.3Electric machine models8.4Battery models8.5Simulation over type-approval cycles8.6System co-simulation8.7Parameter optimisation8.8Validation with tests8.9GT-SUITE and AVL tools8.10Practical exercise: simulation of a mild hybrid over WLTP
9.1Integration in the engine bay9.2Thermal management of the assembly9.3System electromagnetic compatibility9.4Functional safety to ISO 262629.5Chassis dynamometer testing9.6RDE emissions testing9.7Extreme climate testing9.8System durability9.9Validation plan9.10Laboratory: chassis dynamometer test
10.1Light commercial vehicles10.2Motorcycles with 48 V10.3Light machinery with 48 V10.4Urban fleet vehicles10.5Niche and sports vehicles10.6REEVs in delivery trucks10.7REEVs in the Chinese market10.8Comparison with battery electric vehicles10.9Choice of solution by segment10.10Case study: solution for a delivery van
11.1System cost by component11.2Fleet CO2 regulations11.3Euro 7 and emissions11.4DGT environmental labelling11.5Tax incentives and labels11.6Customer perception11.7Manufacturer strategies11.848 V system suppliers11.9The future of mild hybridisation11.10Workshop: business case for a 48 V system
12.1Definition of the target vehicle12.2Architecture selection12.3Component sizing12.4System modelling12.5Control strategy12.6Simulation and results12.7Economic analysis of the solution12.8Technical conclusions 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 each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, AVL Cruise M and Vector CANape, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for simulating mild hybrids over type-approval cycles, sizing BSG machines and 48 V batteries, and calibrating range extender strategies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: VDA 320, ISO 21780, Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 (WLTP), ISO 26262, Regulation (EU) 2019/631, Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 (Euro 7), ISO 16750-2.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, AVL Cruise M and Vector CANape, 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, plus 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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