Master’s in ADAS and Autonomous Driving
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in ADAS and Autonomous Driving, structured in 12 modules covering fundamentals, regulatory framework, analysis and simulation, design, components, systems integration, reliability and risk, validation, operation and project management, with ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), ISO/SAE 21434 and Medini Analyze, and an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in ADAS and Autonomous Driving — studying from South Africa
Regulation, safety and homologation skills are essential across South African industry, from road vehicles and aviation to energy and mining. Engineers must demonstrate compliance with national standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards and sector regulators. Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety analysis is applied in infrastructure, rail, energy and manufacturing projects. Specialists support certification, type approval and risk assessment for both local and export markets.
Fees for South Africa: R 129 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Homologation and standards work in South Africa involves the SABS and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), while ECSA handles engineering registration. Whether a SEIUM qualification is recognised is for employers or these bodies to decide, so check beforehand.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in regulation, safety and RAMS roles?
Employers in automotive, rail, energy and industrial sectors value RAMS and compliance expertise, often tied to recognised certifications and experience. A private qualification may strengthen your profile but will not replace formal requirements. Its value depends on each employer's preference, so ask hiring managers how they would assess it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is delivered fully online in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm time-zone and weekly workload expectations with SEIUM 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
Master the technical fundamentals of ADAS and Autonomous Driving and its regulatory vocabulary.
Apply ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF) and ISO/SAE 21434 to real design and validation decisions.
Build and correlate calculation models with Medini Analyze and ANSYS medini.
Plan and run test campaigns on conformity test benches and in EMC pre-compliance laboratories.
Analyse operating data and translate it into engineering decisions.
Prepare the technical and compliance dossier required by the client or the regulator.
Lead a ADAS and Autonomous Driving project technically from start to finish.
Who it's for
- Functional safety engineers who want to take the lead in ADAS and Autonomous Driving.
- Type-approval managers responsible for certification files and regulatory changes.
- RAMS specialists working on safety-critical products.
- Product quality auditors who need a solid grounding in the applicable standards.
- Regulatory compliance managers.
- Certification managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262 (functional safety of road vehicles)
- ISO 21448 (SOTIF – safety of the intended functionality)
- ISO/SAE 21434 (road vehicle cybersecurity engineering)
- UNECE R155 (cybersecurity management system)
- UNECE R156 (software update management system)
- UNECE R157 (automated lane keeping systems)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety of E/E/PE systems)
- EN 50126 (railway RAMS)
- EN 50128 (railway software)
- EN 50129 (railway safety-related electronic systems)
- Medini Analyze
- ANSYS medini
- Isograph Reliability Workbench
- PTC Windchill FMEA
- Enterprise Architect
12 modules
1.1Core concepts and magnitudes of ADAS and Autonomous Driving1.2Technology landscape and state of the art1.3Technical terminology and reference documentation1.4Physical and engineering principles applied to the case1.5Functional architecture: from requirements to components1.6Interfaces and dependencies with adjacent systems1.7Typical use cases in the sector1.8Common errors and how to detect them early1.9Data sources and quality criteria1.10Guided exercise: initial diagnosis
2.1Applicable regulatory framework: overview2.2Regulatory hierarchy and conflicts between standards2.3Mandatory requirements versus good practice2.4Acceptance criteria and required evidence2.5Technical documentation and traceability2.6Change management and configuration control2.7Audits, inspections and non-conformities2.8Responsibilities and allocation of scope2.9Interpretation of critical clauses2.10Exercise: regulatory checklist
3.1Setting up the model: assumptions and simplifications3.2Selection of tools and working environment3.3Preparation of input data3.4Workflow and good modelling practice3.5Discretisation and case preparation3.6Boundary conditions and load cases3.7Convergence control and numerical verification3.8Sensitivity analysis and parametric study3.9Automation and reuse of models3.10Exercise: building a base model
4.1Reduced-order models and detailed models4.2Coupling between physical domains4.3Parameter calibration with real data4.4Uncertainty propagation4.5Multi-objective optimisation4.6Digital twins and in-service models4.7Computational cost and calculation strategies4.8Cross-validation of results4.9Model documentation and versioning4.10Exercise: complete simulation campaign
5.1Design requirements and starting criteria5.2Solution alternatives and comparative analysis5.3Sizing and safety margins5.4Selection of materials, equipment or components5.5Integration with the rest of the system5.6Cost, schedule and manufacturing constraints5.7Reliability, maintainability and service life5.8Sustainability and efficiency in design5.9Design review and risk management5.10Exercise: documented design proposal
6.1Material families and selection criteria6.2Critical components and their failure modes6.3Manufacturing processes and their limits6.4Tolerances, fits and dimensional control6.5Treatments, coatings and protection6.6Emerging technologies applicable to ADAS and Autonomous Driving6.7Obsolescence and continuity of supply6.8Environmental footprint and circular economy6.9Approval of components and suppliers6.10Exercise: comparative technical data sheet
7.1System architecture and functional breakdown7.2Interface definition and control7.3Protocols and data exchange7.4Progressive integration and interface testing7.5Electromagnetic and environmental compatibility7.6Configuration management of the whole system7.7Resolving conflicts between subsystems7.8Commissioning of the integrated system7.9Traceability from requirements to verification7.10Exercise: interface matrix
8.1Hazard identification and preliminary analysis8.2Failure modes and effects analysis8.3Fault trees and quantitative analysis8.4Allocation of reliability targets8.5Barriers, redundancy and fault tolerance8.6Human factors and operating errors8.7Safety evidence and argumentation8.8Risk management throughout the life cycle8.9Indicators and in-service monitoring8.10Exercise: risk analysis of a case
9.1Verification and validation strategy9.2Test plan: scope and coverage9.3Instrumentation and data acquisition9.4Laboratory testing versus field testing9.5Model-to-measurement correlation9.6Handling uncertainty and tolerances9.7Failure analysis and corrective actions9.8Commissioning and acceptance criteria9.9Documentation of the validation file9.10Exercise: validation report
10.1Commissioning and handover to operation10.2Preventive and predictive maintenance plans10.3Condition monitoring and diagnostics10.4Spare parts, logistics and availability10.5Obsolescence management and upgrades10.6Availability and performance indicators10.7Life-cycle cost10.8Life extension and repowering10.9Decommissioning and end of life10.10Exercise: maintenance plan
11.1Scope, schedule and cost of the technical project11.2Estimating and budget control11.3Procurement and supplier relations11.4Technical teams and communication11.5Technical and economic feasibility analysis11.6Environmental and social criteria11.7Sustainability regulations and reporting11.8Change management and stakeholders11.9Project close-out and lessons learned11.10Exercise: business case
12.1Choice of topic and scope of the work12.2State of the art and review of sources12.3Problem statement and objectives12.4Applied research methodology12.5Technical development supervised by the thesis director12.6Analysis of results and discussion12.7Conclusions and future lines of work12.8Writing the dissertation12.9Preparing the defence12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel and assessment
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Medini Analyze, ANSYS medini, Isograph Reliability Workbench, PTC Windchill FMEA and Enterprise Architect, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real procedures from conformity test benches, EMC pre-compliance laboratories and safety-validation HIL. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 26262, ISO 21448 (SOTIF), ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155, UNECE R156, UNECE R157, IEC 61508, EN 50126 (RAMS), EN 50128, EN 50129.
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 Medini Analyze, ANSYS medini, Isograph Reliability Workbench and PTC Windchill FMEA, 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 suitable computer 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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