Master’s in Electrolysers (PEM/Alkaline/SOEC)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in electrolysers (PEM, alkaline and SOEC), with 12 modules covering electrolysis electrochemistry, alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM technologies, balance of plant, renewable integration, large-scale plant engineering, testing, O&M and hydrogen economics (ISO 22734, IEC 62282-8-201, RED III), with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Electrolysers (PEM/Alkaline/SOEC) — studying from the United Kingdom
Energy engineering in the United Kingdom spans offshore wind, nuclear, gas, grid infrastructure and energy storage, with regional hubs in Aberdeen, Teesside, Humberside and the South West. The transition to net zero drives investment in transmission and distribution networks, renewable generation and digital grid management. Operators such as National Grid, SSE and Scottish Power employ engineers in planning, operations and asset management. The energy regulator Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator shape market rules and system planning.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £4,930 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies are relevant to energy and networks engineering qualifications?
In the UK, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Energy Institute are the main professional bodies for energy and networks, and the Engineering Council handles chartered registration. Regulation of the sector is by Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for the relevant body and employers to decide.
Do UK energy and network operators value private online qualifications?
UK energy utilities, network operators and grid contractors typically hire on the basis of competence, safety training, professional registration and project experience. A private qualification may support your profile, but its relevance is decided by each employer. Demonstrated practical work and progress towards professional registration usually matter most.
How does online study fit a UK working life, and what about funding?
Programmes are fully online, so you can study around your UK job and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, and an assigned technical tutor supports your progress. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers sponsor job-related training, which varies by employer. Check the programme hours and funding options 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 electrochemical fundamentals of electrolysis.
Compare alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM technologies.
Design the balance of plant of an electrolyser.
Integrate electrolysers with renewable generation.
Design large-scale electrolysis plants.
Characterise electrolysers with standardised tests.
Assess the levelised cost of hydrogen.
Who it's for
- Electrolyser engineers
- Hydrogen process engineers
- Electrochemical test engineers
- Renewable integration engineers
- Hydrogen project managers
- Electrochemistry researchers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into green hydrogen
What you'll work with
- ISO 22734 (hydrogen generators using water electrolysis)
- IEC 62282-8-201 (test procedures for power-to-power and electrolysis systems)
- Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III renewable energy directive)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 (RFNBO production rules)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment for explosive atmospheres)
- EN IEC 60079-10-1 (classification of explosive gas atmospheres)
- Aspen Plus
- MATLAB/Simulink
- HOMER Pro
- Python with Pyomo
- COMSOL Multiphysics
12 modules
1.1Thermodynamics of water splitting1.2Reversible and thermoneutral voltage1.3Activation and ohmic overpotentials1.4Polarisation curves1.5Faradaic and energy efficiency1.6Specific consumption in kWh/kg1.7Reaction kinetics1.8Influence of pressure and temperature1.9Technology comparison1.10Lab: polarisation curve of a cell
2.1Alkaline operating principle2.2Potassium hydroxide electrolyte2.3Nickel electrodes2.4Diaphragms and separators2.5Stack configuration2.6Atmospheric and pressurised electrolysers2.7Part-load operation2.8Degradation and service life2.9Manufacturers and state of the art2.10Practical exercise: balance of a 10 MW alkaline stack
3.1PEM operating principle3.2Perfluorosulfonic acid membranes3.3Iridium and platinum catalysts3.4Diffusion layers and bipolar plates3.5High current density operation3.6Dynamic response to renewables3.7Degradation mechanisms3.8Reducing precious metals3.9Manufacturers and state of the art3.10Lab: dynamic test of a PEM stack
4.1SOEC operating principle4.2Ceramic cell materials4.3High-temperature operation4.4Integration with waste heat4.5Co-electrolysis of steam and CO24.6Reversible SOEC/SOFC mode4.7Thermal degradation mechanisms4.8Thermal start-up cycles4.9SOEC pilot projects4.10Practical exercise: integrating an SOEC with industrial heat
5.1Anion exchange membrane electrolysers5.2Precious-metal-free materials5.3Proton ceramic electrolysers5.4Seawater electrolysis5.5Decoupled electrolysis with mediators5.6Technology readiness level (TRL)5.7Materials research5.8Cost outlook5.9Technology roadmap5.10Case study: assessment of an emerging technology
6.1Rectifiers and transformers6.2Power quality of rectifiers6.3Water treatment and purification6.4Gas-liquid separation6.5Hydrogen drying and purification6.6Oxygen management6.7Cooling systems6.8Product compression6.9Instrumentation and control6.10Lab: design of hydrogen purification
7.1Coupling to photovoltaics and wind7.2Off-grid operation7.3Grid-connected operation7.4Joint sizing of electrolyser and renewables7.5Load factor and costs7.6Intermediate hydrogen storage7.7Flexibility services to the grid7.8Operational optimisation7.9RFNBO correlation criteria7.10Practical exercise: optimal sizing with hourly profiles
8.1Plants of hundreds of megawatts8.2Modular design and scale-up8.3Plant layout8.4High-power electrical infrastructure8.5Water supply8.6Plant safety8.7ATEX zone classification8.8Construction and logistics8.9Commissioning8.10Case study: a 200 MW plant in Spain
9.1JRC harmonised test protocols9.2Performance testing9.3Durability testing9.4Accelerated degradation testing9.5Impedance spectroscopy9.6Post-mortem analysis9.7Dynamic response testing9.8Performance certification9.9Warranty validation9.10Lab: impedance spectroscopy of a cell
10.1Operating strategies10.2Plant control10.3Degradation monitoring10.4Stack maintenance10.5Stack replacement10.6Water quality in operation10.7Plant availability10.8Performance indicators10.9Warranty management10.10Workshop: maintenance plan for a PEM plant
11.1Investment costs per kW11.2Levelised cost of hydrogen11.3Sensitivity to electricity prices11.4Learning curves11.5Materials supply chain11.6Critical raw materials11.7Electrolyser manufacturing in Europe11.8European Hydrogen Bank11.9Offtake agreements11.10Practical exercise: LCOH of different technologies
12.1Definition of the application12.2Technology selection12.3Electrolyser sizing12.4Balance of plant design12.5Integration with renewables12.6Safety analysis12.7Economic evaluation of the project12.8Conclusions and future lines of 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 it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, HOMER Pro, Python with Pyomo and COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for polarisation curves and impedance spectroscopy, stack durability testing and simulation of operation with renewable profiles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 22734, IEC 62282-8-201, Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184, ISO 14687, Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), EN IEC 60079-10-1.
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 Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, HOMER Pro, Python with Pyomo and COMSOL Multiphysics, 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 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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