Master’s in RF, Antennas and Communications Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in RF, antennas and communications engineering: 12 modules covering propagation, transmission lines and microwave networks, antenna theory and arrays, RF circuits, transceiver architectures, digital and mobile communications, satellite links and electromagnetic simulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in RF, Antennas and Communications Engineering — studying from the United States
Electronics and telecommunications are foundational to the American economy, with research and manufacturing hubs in California, Texas, Arizona, New York and Oregon. Semiconductor investments and wireless network deployment are driving demand for hardware, firmware and systems engineers. Embedded systems now appear across automotive, medical, industrial and consumer products, requiring expertise in real-time software and secure design. Regulatory compliance with federal spectrum and safety rules is a key part of professional practice.
Fees for the United States: US$9,970 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies relate to electronics, embedded systems and telecom engineering?
The IEEE is the main professional body for electronics and telecom engineers in the US, and it publishes widely used standards. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio and telecom equipment. Professional Engineer licensure from state boards exists but is less common in this field. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not official degrees, so recognition rests with employers or relevant bodies.
How do US electronics and telecom employers regard private online qualifications?
US semiconductor, telecom and embedded-systems employers typically look for accredited degrees, hands-on design experience and familiarity with relevant standards. A private online qualification can document focused study, but it is not a standard requirement and its value is decided by each employer. Practical design projects and certifications often carry more weight.
Can I study embedded systems from the US around a full-time role?
Yes, the programmes are online, taught in English, and do not need a student visa. The commitment is roughly 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. An assigned technical tutor supports your progress. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers fund training, so ask whether your employer offers support.
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
Analyse electromagnetic wave propagation in different environments.
Design matching networks and microwave circuits.
Design antennas and arrays for specific applications.
Size radio frequency transceiver architectures.
Apply digital and mobile communication techniques.
Measure and validate radio systems in line with current regulations.
Develop a complete radio system from specification to prototype.
Who it's for
- Radio frequency engineers.
- Antenna designers.
- Communication systems engineers.
- Radio planning engineers.
- RF test engineers.
- Satellite communications engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the telecommunications sector.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive)
- ETSI EN 300 328 (wideband transmission systems in the 2.4 GHz band)
- ETSI EN 301 489-1 (EMC standard for radio equipment and services)
- Recommendation ITU-R P.525 (calculation of free-space attenuation)
- Recommendation ITU-R P.530 (propagation data for terrestrial line-of-sight systems)
- 3GPP TS 38.104 (5G NR base station radio transmission and reception)
- Real Decreto 1066/2001 (Spanish regulation on protection against radio emissions)
- IEEE 145 (standard for definitions of terms for antennas)
- Ansys HFSS
- CST Studio Suite
- Keysight PathWave ADS
- MATLAB Antenna Toolbox
- GNU Radio
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Maxwell's equations in phasor form1.2Plane waves and polarisation1.3Free-space propagation1.4Reflection, refraction and diffraction1.5Multipath fading1.6Okumura-Hata and COST 231 path loss models1.7Tropospheric and ionospheric propagation1.8Rain and gas attenuation1.9Radio spectrum and bands1.10Practical exercise: radio link calculation
2.1Transmission line and the telegrapher's equation2.2Characteristic impedance and reflection2.3Smith chart2.4Matching with stubs and λ/4 transformers2.5Microstrip, stripline and coplanar waveguide2.6Rectangular waveguides2.7S-parameters and two-port networks2.8Dividers, couplers and hybrids2.9Microwave filters2.10Lab: S-parameter measurement with a VNA
3.1Radiation pattern and directivity3.2Gain, efficiency and effective aperture3.3Input impedance and bandwidth3.4Dipoles and monopoles3.5Loop antennas3.6Microstrip patch antennas3.7Horns and parabolic reflectors3.8Broadband and log-periodic antennas3.9Circularly polarised antennas3.10Practical exercise: design of a 2.4 GHz patch
4.1Array factor4.2Linear and planar arrays4.3Dolph-Chebyshev pattern synthesis4.4Phase shifters and electronic beam steering4.5Grating lobes and spacing4.6Mutual coupling between elements4.7Corporate feed networks4.8Antennas for MIMO systems4.9Array calibration4.10Workshop: simulation of an 8-element array
5.1Low-noise amplifiers5.2Power amplifiers and efficiency5.3Mixers and frequency conversion5.4Oscillators and phase noise5.5PLL frequency synthesisers5.6SAW and BAW filters5.7Switches and attenuators5.8Noise figure and the Friis formula5.9Linearity, IP3 and compression5.10Lab: characterisation of an LNA
6.1Dual-conversion superheterodyne receiver6.2Direct conversion and zero IF6.3Direct RF sampling6.4Software-defined radio6.5Gain and noise budget6.6Dynamic range and blocking6.7IQ imbalance and DC offset6.8Polar and Doherty transmitters6.9Baseband digital predistortion6.10Practical exercise: receiver budget
7.1ASK, PSK and QAM modulation7.2OFDM multicarrier modulation7.3Channel coding and FEC7.4Carrier and symbol synchronisation7.5Channel equalisation7.6Error rate and Eb/N07.7Spread spectrum techniques7.8Shannon channel capacity7.9Diversity and combining7.10Lab: QAM transmission with SDR
8.1Cellular network architecture8.2LTE: physical layer8.35G NR: numerology and frames8.4Massive MIMO in base stations8.5Cell planning and frequency reuse8.6Handovers and mobility8.7Private 5G networks8.8Spectrum and auctions8.9Evolution towards 6G8.10Case study: urban coverage planning
9.1Point-to-point radio links9.2Fresnel zones and clearance9.3Availability and fade margin9.4GEO, MEO and LEO orbits9.5Satellite link budget9.6Earth stations and VSAT9.7Broadband LEO constellations9.8Interference and coordination9.9Free-space optical links9.10Practical exercise: Ka-band link budget
10.1Method of moments10.2Finite-difference time-domain10.3Frequency-domain finite elements10.4RF circuit simulation10.5Circuit and field co-simulation10.6Meshing and convergence10.7Simulation of platforms and installations10.8Validation with measurements10.9Design optimisation10.10Workshop: complete modelling of an antenna
11.1Spectrum analyser11.2Vector network analyser11.3Antenna measurement in an anechoic chamber11.4Near field and far field11.5Power and EVM measurement11.6Radio equipment testing11.7Human exposure to electromagnetic fields11.8Spectrum management and licensing11.9Radio inspection and monitoring11.10Lab: radiation pattern measurement
12.1Radio system definition12.2RF requirements specification12.3Antenna and circuit design12.4Full-wave electromagnetic simulation12.5Radio prototype manufacture12.6Laboratory measurements12.7Link performance analysis12.8Conclusions on the radio system12.9Master'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 the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Keysight PathWave ADS, MATLAB Antenna Toolbox and GNU Radio, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: S-parameter measurement with a vector network analyser, antenna characterisation in an anechoic chamber, and transmission and reception with software-defined radio. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Directive 2014/53/EU, ETSI EN 300 328, ETSI EN 301 489-1, Recommendation ITU-R P.525, Recommendation ITU-R P.530, 3GPP TS 38.104, Real Decreto 1066/2001, IEEE 145.
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'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 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 Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Keysight PathWave ADS, MATLAB Antenna Toolbox and GNU Radio, 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'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.
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