Master’s in Transmissions, Hydraulics & Actuators Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in transmission, hydraulics and actuator engineering. 12 modules covering off-highway transmissions, mobile hydraulics, pumps, valves, actuators, power-shift and hydrostatic drives, mechatronics and UNE-EN ISO 4413, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Transmissions, Hydraulics & Actuators Engineering — studying from the United Kingdom
Off-road, special vehicles and heavy machinery are important to the United Kingdom's manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Companies in the Midlands, the North East and Scotland produce construction equipment, agricultural machinery, specialist vehicles and mining equipment. JCB, headquartered in Staffordshire, is a prominent example, alongside many specialist suppliers. Engineers work on hydraulics, powertrain, chassis and control systems, meeting regulatory and safety requirements for working machines.
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
Are there UK professional bodies that recognise off-road and specialist vehicle engineering training?
Relevant UK bodies include the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institute of the Motor Industry and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. Recognition for membership usually depends on accredited qualifications and experience. SEIUM's courses are private and not accredited by any national body, so the relevant institution would decide independently whether to accept any of the training.
Will UK employers in construction, agriculture or specialist vehicles value this qualification?
Employers in these sectors often prioritise practical skills, machinery experience and familiarity with safety standards. A private online qualification may strengthen an application where it evidences specialist knowledge, particularly through a final project, but its value is decided by each employer. Ask prospective employers how they regard such training.
Can I study alongside work in the UK, and how are fees handled?
Programmes are fully online, taught in English and fit around work schedules, with an assigned technical tutor for guidance. Study ranges from 300 to 1,900 hours depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. No visa is needed because you study from within the UK.
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
Select transmissions for off-highway machines.
Design oil-hydraulic circuits.
Select pumps, motors and valves.
Size linear and rotary actuators.
Calibrate power-shift and hydrostatic transmissions.
Simulate hydraulic and mechatronic systems.
Apply hydraulic safety regulations.
Who it's for
- Transmission engineers in off-highway machinery.
- Mobile hydraulics engineers.
- Mechatronics engineers developing machine control.
- Simulation engineers modelling hydraulic and drive systems.
- Hydraulic diagnostic technicians looking to deepen their engineering knowledge.
- Product engineers in construction, agricultural or forestry equipment.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the construction machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN ISO 4413 (hydraulic fluid power)
- ISO 1219-1 (hydraulic graphical symbols)
- ISO 4406 (particle contamination code)
- ISO 18752 (hydraulic hoses)
- UNE-EN ISO 13849-1 (safety of control systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (machinery)
- ISO 6336 (load capacity of gears)
- Simcenter Amesim
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Automation Studio
- KISSsoft
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Fixed-gear mechanical transmissions1.2Power-shift with torque converter1.3Closed-circuit hydrostatic transmissions1.4Hydromechanical power-split transmissions1.5Series electric transmissions1.6Selection criteria by application1.7Part-load efficiency1.8Transmission supplier market1.9Integration with engine and axles1.10Case study: transmission for a wheel loader
2.1Properties of hydraulic fluids2.2Continuity and Bernoulli equations2.3Pressure losses in pipes2.4ISO 1219 symbols2.5Basic circuit components2.6Elementary control circuits2.7Viscosity and operating temperature2.8Compressibility and hydraulic stiffness2.9Heat generation and dissipation2.10Laboratory: assembling a basic circuit
3.1External gear pumps3.2Balanced vane pumps3.3Axial piston units3.4Low-speed radial piston motors3.5Variable displacement control3.6Volumetric and mechanical efficiency3.7Unit selection criteria3.8Noise and flow pulsation3.9Maintenance and bearing life3.10Practical exercise: pump selection
4.1Spool directional control valves4.2Electro-hydraulic proportional valves4.3High-response servo valves4.4Load sensing systems4.5Load-independent flow sharing4.6Counterbalance and brake valves4.7Pressure control and relief valves4.8Compensated flow control4.9Valve control electronics4.10Laboratory: proportional valve
5.1Types of hydraulic cylinders5.2Rod and barrel sizing5.3Seals and sealing systems5.4Rod buckling5.5End-of-stroke cushioning5.6Vane and rack-and-pinion rotary actuators5.7Electromechanical screw actuators5.8Compact electro-hydraulic actuators5.9Integrated position sensors5.10Workshop: cylinder sizing
6.1Torque converter operation6.2Wet multi-plate clutches6.3Planetary gear sets6.4Electronic shift control6.5Shift quality and comfort6.6Gearbox lubrication and cooling6.7Shaft and gear design6.8Clutch failure modes6.9Calibration of fill pressures6.10Practical exercise: gear shift calibration
7.1Closed-circuit pump-motor7.2Automotive and pedal control7.3Efficiency versus speed7.4Speed range with dual-displacement motors7.5Hydrostatic traction control7.6Circuit sizing7.7Charge pump and flushing valves7.8Integration with axles and brakes7.9Validation on track and gradient7.10Case study: hydrostatic drive of a site dumper
8.1Pressure, position and angle sensors8.2Programmable mobile controllers8.3CAN bus communication8.4Software development to IEC 61131-38.5PID control algorithms8.6Cylinder position control8.7Force and pressure control8.8Sensor and actuator diagnostics8.9Safety of control functions8.10Laboratory: cylinder position control
9.1Hydraulic simulation in Amesim9.2Control modelling in Simulink9.3Hydraulic component models9.4Validation with bench data9.5Circuit parameter optimisation9.6System dynamics and stability9.7Hardware-in-the-loop testing of the control9.8Mechanical and hydraulic co-simulation9.9Selection of simulation tools9.10Practical exercise: load sensing circuit model
10.1Particle and water contamination10.2Filtration and cleanliness codes10.3Failure modes of pumps and motors10.4Wear of seals and oil seals10.5Locating external leaks10.6In-service oil analysis10.7Inspection of hoses and fittings10.8Maintenance planning10.9Failure and downtime costs10.10Case study: loss of hydraulic power
11.1Requirements of ISO 441311.2Functional safety to ISO 1384911.3European Machinery Regulation11.4Accumulators and pressure equipment11.5Hoses and connections to ISO 1875211.6Fluid injection injuries11.7Training of hydraulic technicians11.8Inspection before intervention11.9Circuit risk assessment11.10Case study: risks of a circuit
12.1Definition of machine and cycle12.2Functional motion requirements12.3Transmission selection12.4Hydraulic circuit design12.5Actuator sizing12.6Control strategy12.7Simulation of the complete system12.8Safety analysis12.9Master'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 the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, Automation Studio and KISSsoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: bench assembly of circuits, transmission calibration and diagnosis of hydraulic systems. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UNE-EN ISO 4413, ISO 1219-1, ISO 4406, ISO 18752, UNE-EN ISO 13849-1, Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, ISO 6336.
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 Simcenter Amesim, MATLAB/Simulink, Automation Studio and KISSsoft, 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 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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