Postgraduate Diploma in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems. 8 modules covering EN 12663-1 (structural requirements for car bodies), EN 15227 (crashworthiness) and SIMPACK. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems — studying from the United Kingdom
Civil and infrastructure engineering is a major employment sector in the United Kingdom, with significant activity in transport, water, energy and urban regeneration. Rail projects such as HS2 and ongoing network upgrades by Network Rail create demand for engineers in track, signalling, structures and systems. Smart city initiatives in cities including Manchester, Glasgow and Milton Keynes apply digital technologies to mobility, utilities and public services. Major contractors and consultancies including Balfour Beatty, Arup and AECOM employ civil and rail professionals across the country.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £746 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK professional bodies are relevant to civil and rail engineering qualifications?
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and, for rail, bodies such as the Permanent Way Institution and the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers are relevant in the UK. Chartered status is handled through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so you should confirm with ICE or the relevant institution how your study would be treated.
Do UK civil, rail and smart city employers recognise online private qualifications?
UK infrastructure employers, including consultancies, contractors, rail operators and local authorities, generally recruit based on competence, professional registration and project experience. A private qualification can add to your profile, but employers decide its relevance. Practical experience and progress towards professional registration usually carry more weight.
How does online study fit with a UK working schedule, and what about funding?
Online study lets you keep working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers support job-related training, which is common practice in general terms but varies by employer. Each programme has a defined number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Review the 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
Describe the functional architecture of rolling stock.
Analyse the car body and bogie structure.
Define the traction system and its integration.
Size auxiliary systems such as air conditioning and auxiliary power.
Apply brake and safety requirements.
Integrate on-board control and communications.
Design comfort, accessibility and interior solutions.
Who it's for
- Rolling stock engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Bogie engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Traction systems engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Auxiliary systems engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Railway homologation engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Railway interiors engineer looking to specialise in Train Architecture and Auxiliary Systems.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join rolling stock manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- EN 12663-1 (structural requirements for car bodies)
- EN 15227 (crashworthiness)
- EN 45545-2 (fire protection)
- EN 13749 (bogie frames)
- EN 50155 (electronic equipment on rolling stock)
- EN 14531 (braking performance calculation)
- Regulation (EU) 1302/2014 (TSI for locomotives and passenger rolling stock)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Types: high-speed, regional, metro and tram1.2Multiple units and locomotives1.3Articulation and formation1.4Gauges and kinematic envelopes1.5Equipment layout within the train1.6Axle loads and mass1.7TSI for locomotives and passenger rolling stock1.8Train lifecycle1.9Interfaces with infrastructure1.10Case study: comparison of two train architectures
2.1Car body materials: steel, aluminium and stainless steel2.2Structural strength according to EN 126632.3Crash resistance according to EN 152272.4Motor and trailer bogies2.5Primary and secondary suspension2.6Jacobs bogies2.7Wheels, axles and bearings2.8Couplers and buffers2.9Weight and lightweighting2.10Workshop: verification of car body design loads
3.1Electric traction chain3.2Main transformer3.3IGBT converters and inverters3.4Asynchronous and permanent magnet synchronous motors3.5Electric braking and regeneration3.6Diesel and bi-mode traction3.7Battery and hydrogen traction3.8Tractive effort–speed curves3.9Train energy consumption3.10Practical: running simulation and consumption
4.1Auxiliary converter and low-voltage networks4.2Batteries and chargers4.3Compressors and air production4.4Air conditioning according to EN 147504.5Lighting and emergency lighting4.6Door systems4.7Toilets and water systems4.8Passenger information4.9Sanding and flange lubrication4.10Workshop: auxiliary load balance
5.1Pneumatic brake and distributor5.2Disc and block brakes5.3Electropneumatic brake5.4Emergency brake5.5Magnetic track brakes and eddy current brakes5.6Anti-slip protection5.7Braking distance calculation according to EN 145315.8Dead man's device5.9Fire detection5.10Laboratory: calculation of a braking distance
6.1Train Communication Network (TCN)6.2MVB and WTB buses6.3On-board Ethernet according to IEC 613756.4TCMS control and monitoring system6.5On-board diagnostics6.6Railway software according to EN 506576.7On-board cybersecurity6.8Integration with on-board ERTMS6.9Video surveillance and communications6.10Practical: train network architecture
7.1Interior design and seat layout7.2TSI for persons with reduced mobility7.3Fire protection according to EN 455457.4Interior and exterior noise7.5Ride comfort according to EN 122997.6Indoor air quality7.7Cab ergonomics7.8Interior materials7.9Maintainability of interiors7.10Case study: accessibility audit of a train
8.1Customer and service requirements8.2Definition of the formation8.3Selection of the traction chain8.4Sizing of auxiliaries8.5Braking and safety system8.6TCMS control architecture8.7Regulatory verification8.8Mass, energy and maintainability8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SIMPACK, CATIA, ANSYS Mechanical, MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for static car body tests, dynamic track tests and braking tests. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the functional architecture of rolling stock.
Analyse the car body and bogie structure.
Define the traction system and its integration.
Size auxiliary systems such as air conditioning and auxiliary power.
Apply brake and safety requirements.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses SIMPACK, CATIA, ANSYS Mechanical and MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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