Aeronautical electrical systems course (MEA)
Online course of 300 hours in aeronautical electrical systems for the more-electric aircraft (MEA): 6 modules covering aircraft electrical architecture, power generation and conversion, electrical distribution and protection, high-power electrical loads, and electrical safety and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Aeronautical electrical systems course (MEA) — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £537 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours 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 electrical architecture of a more-electric aircraft.
Analyse on-board power generation and conversion systems.
Design electrical distribution and protection schemes.
Assess the impact of high-power electrical loads.
Apply the power quality requirements of MIL-STD-704F.
Integrate safety and certification criteria into electrical design.
Model an on-board electrical system dynamically.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical electrical systems engineers moving towards MEA architectures.
- Power electronics engineers applying converter design to aircraft networks.
- Systems certification engineers dealing with electrical requirements.
- Systems integration engineers working on on-board power networks.
- EWIS wiring engineers responsible for interconnection and protection.
- MEA architecture specialists consolidating their system-level view.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter aircraft manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process for civil airborne systems)
- CS-25 Subpart F (EASA) (equipment requirements for large aeroplanes)
- CS-25 Subpart H EWIS (EASA) (electrical wiring interconnection systems)
- SAE AS50881 (aerospace vehicle wiring)
- MIL-STD-461G (control of electromagnetic interference)
- MATLAB/Simulink with Simscape Electrical
- PLECS
- Synopsys SaberRD
- Siemens Capital
- ETAP
6 modules
1.1Evolution towards the more-electric aircraft1.2Replacement of pneumatic and hydraulic systems1.3Variable-frequency AC networks1.4270 V DC and 28 V DC networks1.5Primary and secondary distribution1.6Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 cases1.7Electrical load analysis1.8Normal and degraded operating modes1.9Trends towards the all-electric aircraft1.10Practical exercise: electrical load analysis of a regional aircraft
2.1Integrated starter-generators2.2Electric auxiliary power units2.3Transformer rectifier units (TRU)2.4ATRU converters and autotransformers2.5Static inverters for AC loads2.6Bidirectional DC-DC converters2.7Power quality and harmonics2.8Quality requirements under MIL-STD-704F2.9High-voltage DC generation2.10Lab: simulation of an 18-pulse ATRU
3.1Primary distribution panels3.2Solid-state power controllers (SSPC)3.3Circuit breakers and relays3.4Differential and overcurrent protection3.5Arc fault circuit interrupters3.6EWIS wiring and interconnection3.7Grounding and current return structure3.8Electromagnetic compatibility of the electrical network3.9Data buses for distribution control3.10Workshop: protection coordination on a 115 V bus
4.1Electromechanical actuators (EMA)4.2Electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHA)4.3Electric air conditioning system4.4Electrothermal ice protection4.5Electric landing gear brakes4.6Electric engine start4.7Load management and shedding4.8Thermal impact of power electronics4.9Electric fuel and hydraulic pumps4.10Case study: load shedding after a generator failure
5.1CS-25.1351 to 1365 requirements5.2ARP4761 safety assessment5.3ARP4754A systems development5.4DO-160G environmental testing5.5Lightning and HIRF5.6Zonal and particular risk analysis5.7Thermal management and ventilation5.8Certification documentation5.9Load compatibility analysis5.10Case study: analysis of total loss of generation
6.1Definition of the target architecture6.2Selection of voltage levels6.3Sizing of generation and conversion6.4Design of distribution and protection6.5Dynamic system modelling6.6Analysis of failures and degraded modes6.7Justification of regulatory compliance6.8Thermal integration of power electronics6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the 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 with Simscape Electrical, PLECS, Synopsys SaberRD, Siemens Capital and ETAP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: simulation of on-board electrical networks, power quality analysis and degraded-mode studies. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160G, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761, CS-25 Subpart F (EASA), CS-25 Subpart H EWIS (EASA), SAE AS50881, MIL-STD-461G.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's 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 300 hours over 3 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 with Simscape Electrical, PLECS, Synopsys SaberRD, Siemens Capital and ETAP, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's 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.
Related programmes
HPC course for aerospace simulation
Online course of 300 hours in HPC for aerospace simulation. 6 modules covering high-performance computing architectures, parallel programming, productive cluster use, large-scale aerospace simulation, and performance…
Passenger Terminal Design Course
Online course of 300 hours in passenger terminal design. 6 modules covering terminal concepts, passenger processors, baggage handling systems, terminal architecture and services and terminal simulation…
Ethics course on the use of drones
Online course of 300 hours in ethics in the use of drones, structured in 6 modules covering applied ethics, privacy and data protection, public use and…
More in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
All Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships