Postgraduate Diploma in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 h in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP. 8 modules with IEC 61158, IEC 61784-2 and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP — studying from Malta
Malta has a well-developed telecommunications sector, with a history of hosting submarine cable landing points and a substantial base of network and communications providers. The island's regulatory environment supports digital infrastructure, and this has encouraged companies in embedded systems, network engineering and electronics design. Employers include telecommunications operators, software and hardware developers, and multinational technology firms with Maltese engineering teams. Engineers with knowledge of wireless systems, network security and embedded programming find steady demand.
Fees for Malta: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
How are electronics and telecom engineers recognised professionally in Malta?
Engineering titles in Malta are regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Telecommunications is overseen by the Malta Communications Authority, which regulates licensing and spectrum. A SEIUM qualification is a private one, not a state degree and not accredited by a national body, so recognition depends on employers and the relevant authority.
Which Maltese employers hire embedded systems and telecom engineers?
Malta has telecoms operators, electronics manufacturers and component suppliers, iGaming and technology firms that use embedded hardware, and defence and maritime electronics companies. Employers typically assess hands-on design experience and certifications. A private qualification can help your profile, especially alongside practical projects.
Can I fit this programme around work, and what are the practical requirements?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor. You can study from Malta without a student visa. Choose a course length that matches your available time, from 300 hours up to 1,900. Ask about fee instalments and employer sponsorship before enrolling.
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 real-time mechanisms of industrial Ethernet.
Configure EtherCAT networks with distributed clocks.
Implement PROFINET IO networks with MRP redundancy.
Integrate EtherNet/IP devices using the CIP protocol.
Apply functional safety protocols over the bus.
Design network topologies suited to each application.
Diagnose and resolve faults in field networks.
Who it's for
- Automation engineer looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- Industrial network integrator looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- PLC programmer looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- Commissioning technician looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- Motion control engineer looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- Functional safety specialist looking to specialise in EtherCAT/Profinet/EtherNet-IP.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61158
- IEC 61784-2
- IEC 61784-3
- IEC 61918
- IEC 61784-5
- ETG.1000
- IEC 61508
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Limitations of standard Ethernet in control1.2Real-time classes and cycle times1.3Line, ring and star topologies1.4Communication profiles IEC 61784-21.5Industrial physical layer and M12 connectors1.6Managed industrial switches1.7Synchronisation of distributed clocks1.8Diagnostics and signal quality1.9Installation per IEC 619181.10Practice: cycle jitter measurement
2.1On-the-fly frame processing2.2Master and ESC slaves2.3Addressing and datagrams2.4PDO and FMMU mapping2.5ESM state machine2.6Distributed clocks and compensation2.7ESI files and ENI configuration2.8CoE, FoE and EoE2.9Cable redundancy and hot connect2.10Laboratory: configuration in TwinCAT 3
3.1Conformance classes CC-A, CC-B and CC-C3.2RT and IRT communication3.3Controller, device and supervisor3.4GSDML files3.5Naming with DCP3.6Media redundancy MRP3.7Diagnostics with alarms and logs3.8PROFINET over TSN3.9PRONETA tools and analysis3.10Laboratory: PROFINET network in TIA Portal
4.1CIP protocol and object model4.2Explicit and implicit messaging4.3I/O connections and RPI4.4EDS files4.5Device Level Ring DLR4.6CIP Sync and CIP Motion4.7Integration with Logix controllers4.8QoS and prioritisation in EtherNet/IP4.9Connection diagnostics4.10Laboratory: remote I/O in Studio 5000
5.1Black channel principle IEC 61784-35.2FSoE over EtherCAT5.3PROFIsafe over PROFINET5.4CIP Safety over EtherNet/IP5.5Calculation of residual error probability5.6Watchdogs and reaction times5.7Parameterisation and verification of F-devices5.8Integration with IEC 61508 and ISO 138495.9Validation of safety functions5.10Case study: emergency stop on the network
6.1Topology and segment planning6.2Cycle time and load calculation6.3Coexistence with TCP/IP traffic6.4Gateways between protocols6.5Integration with OPC UA6.6Multi-axis synchronised motion6.7Component selection and cabling6.8Network documentation6.9Technical comparison of protocols6.10Workshop: network design for a robotic cell
7.1Frame analysis with Wireshark7.2Error counters and CRC7.3Locating cabling faults7.4Industrial cabling certification7.5EMC and shielding problems7.6Predictive network maintenance7.7Basic cybersecurity in field networks7.8Device firmware management7.9Equipment replacement procedures7.10Practice: resolution of simulated faults
8.1Control application requirements8.2Protocol selection and justification8.3Topology and redundancy design8.4Device configuration8.5Integration of safety functions8.6Performance and diagnostic testing8.7Final technical documentation8.8Cost analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online 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 enrolment period, which makes 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 Beckhoff TwinCAT 3, Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Wireshark, Siemens PRONETA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for measuring cycle times and jitter, network diagnostics with a frame analyser, and validation of safety functions on the bus. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Understand the real-time mechanisms of industrial Ethernet.
Configure EtherCAT networks with distributed clocks.
Implement PROFINET IO networks with MRP redundancy.
Integrate EtherNet/IP devices using the CIP protocol.
Apply functional safety protocols over the bus.
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 English to follow technical standards documentation.
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 between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3, Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Wireshark and Siemens PRONETA. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own 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 higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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