Master’s in Combat Systems and CMS
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in combat systems and CMS: 12 modules covering combat system architecture, systems engineering, sensors, tracking and data fusion, real-time software, HMI, tactical data links, decision support, cybersecurity, integration and testing and life-cycle modernisation, under ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, MIL-STD-2525D and STANAG 5516, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Combat Systems and CMS — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom maintains a substantial defence industry, with prime contractors such as BAE Systems and Babcock, and a wide supply chain across the Midlands, the North West, Bristol and Scotland. Land systems, armoured vehicles, munitions and military engineering programmes provide long-term employment for engineers in design, integration, test and sustainment. The Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory oversee procurement and research. Security clearance requirements shape recruitment, and professional standards are maintained through UK defence engineering frameworks.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £6,600 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies and regulators are relevant to defence and military land systems engineering?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence sets its own engineering standards and the Engineering Council regulates professional registration. Professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Engineers' professional structures are relevant. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition for security-cleared or MOD roles is decided by the employer and the relevant authority.
Will a private qualification help with UK defence industry careers?
UK defence employers, including primes and suppliers, often prioritise security clearance eligibility, relevant experience and formal qualifications recognised by the MOD or industry bodies. A private qualification may support your profile but is unlikely to replace these requirements. Ask prospective employers how they would assess it before enrolling.
Is it practical to study this online while working in the UK, and what about language and funding?
Online study means you can continue working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer training sponsorship, though policies vary. Each programme has a fixed number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Confirm the workload and costs 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 functional architecture of a combat system.
Apply model-based systems engineering.
Analyse sensor performance and integration.
Design tracking and data fusion algorithms.
Develop distributed real-time software.
Integrate human control, interface design and cybersecurity into the system.
Develop the architecture of a combat system in the Master's Thesis.
Who it's for
- Combat systems engineers.
- Real-time software architects.
- Data fusion engineers.
- Integration and test engineers.
- Tactical data link specialists.
- Human factors engineers working on operator consoles.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023 (system life cycle processes)
- MIL-STD-2525D (joint military symbology)
- STANAG 5516 (Link 16 tactical data exchange)
- NATO Architecture Framework v4 (enterprise architecture framework)
- OMG Data Distribution Service (DDS) (real-time publish-subscribe middleware)
- MIL-STD-1472H (human engineering)
- IEC 62443 (industrial cybersecurity)
- MIL-STD-882E (system safety)
- Cameo Systems Modeler
- MATLAB Sensor Fusion and Tracking Toolbox
- RTI Connext DDS
- GNAT Ada
- VxWorks
12 modules
1.1Functions of the combat system1.2Combat management system1.3Sensors, effectors and communications1.4The detection and decision cycle1.5Federated and integrated architectures1.6Real-time requirements1.7Naval, land and air systems1.8Aegis and SCOMBA as references1.9Technological evolution1.10Case study: functional diagram of a combat system
2.1Processes according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 152882.2Model-based systems engineering with SysML2.3NATO Architecture Framework2.4Requirements management2.5Interface control documents2.6Open architectures2.7Configuration management2.8Traceability2.9Verification and validation2.10Workshop: SysML modelling of a subsystem
3.1Surveillance radar3.2AESA multifunction radar3.3IFF identification friend or foe3.4Optronics3.5Electronic support measures3.6Sonar3.7Sensor resource management3.8Sensor integration3.9Performance prediction3.10Laboratory: radar equation and coverage
4.1Kalman filter4.2IMM models4.3JPDA and MHT data association4.4Multisensor fusion4.5The JDL model4.6Contact identification4.7Shared tactical picture4.8Registration errors between sensors4.9Evaluation metrics4.10Practical exercise: IMM tracker in MATLAB
5.1Real-time operating systems5.2DDS middleware5.3Software partitioning5.4Concurrent programming5.5Ada and C++ in critical systems5.6Latencies and deadlines5.7Fault tolerance5.8Real-time containers5.9DevSecOps in defence5.10Laboratory: distributed application with DDS
6.1Console design6.2Ergonomics6.3Cognitive workload6.4Tactical visualisation6.5Alert management6.6Decision aids6.7MIL-STD-2525 symbology6.8Usability evaluation6.9Human factors according to MIL-STD-14726.10Workshop: tactical display prototype
7.1Link 11, Link 16 and Link 227.2JREAP7.3Network management7.4Allied interoperability7.5Common operational picture7.6Data gateways7.7Interoperability testing7.8Link security7.9Network planning7.10Case study: tactical data link network plan
8.1Threat evaluation: concepts8.2Resource allocation8.3Safety constraints8.4Meaningful human control8.5Rules of engagement8.6Decision models8.7Scenario simulation8.8Algorithm validation8.9Ethics of decision support8.10Practical exercise: decision support simulation
9.1Threats to combat systems9.2Segmentation according to IEC 624439.3Security accreditation9.4Hardening9.5Monitoring9.6Software supply chain9.7Vulnerability management9.8Incident response9.9Cyber resilience9.10Workshop: cyber risk analysis
10.1Shore-based integration facilities10.2Hardware-in-the-loop10.3Scenario simulation10.4Acceptance testing10.5Sea trials10.6EMC testing10.7Defect management10.8System certification10.9Lessons learned10.10Laboratory: integration test plan
11.1Obsolescence11.2Incremental upgrades11.3Open and modular architectures11.4Software support11.5Embedded artificial intelligence11.6Digital twin of the system11.7Life-cycle costs11.8Operator training11.9Industrial base11.10Case study: modernisation roadmap
12.1System requirements12.2Proposed architecture12.3SysML modelling12.4Tracking and fusion design12.5Operator interface12.6Integration and test plan12.7Cybersecurity and accreditation12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master'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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Cameo Systems Modeler, MATLAB Sensor Fusion and Tracking Toolbox, RTI Connext DDS, GNAT Ada and VxWorks, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for simulating multisensor tracking algorithms, integrating distributed software on test benches and evaluating console usability. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023, MIL-STD-2525D, STANAG 5516, NATO Architecture Framework v4, OMG Data Distribution Service (DDS), MIL-STD-1472H, IEC 62443, MIL-STD-882E.
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.
- An 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 Cameo Systems Modeler, MATLAB Sensor Fusion and Tracking Toolbox, RTI Connext DDS, GNAT Ada and VxWorks, 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), a computer able to run the 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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