Master’s in Advanced Antennas and Beamforming
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in advanced antennas and beamforming (arrays, MIMO, conformal antennas): 12 modules covering antenna theory, antenna types, electromagnetic simulation, arrays, phased arrays and beamforming, adaptive array processing, antennas for communications and radar, metamaterials, antenna measurement and integration, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Advanced Antennas and Beamforming — studying from South Africa
Electronics and telecommunications are substantial sectors in South Africa, with operators such as MTN, Vodacom and Telkom supporting national connectivity. Electronics manufacturers and design houses serve automotive, industrial and consumer markets, and embedded systems engineers are needed across these industries. Research at institutions such as Stellenbosch University and the CSIR contributes to advances in communications and signal processing. Compliance with national radio spectrum rules is overseen by the national communications regulator.
Fees for South Africa: R 166 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies recognise electronics and telecom engineers, and does SEIUM feature?
ECSA registers engineering professionals in South Africa, and the Electronic Communications and Postal Act means telecom roles are regulated through ICASA and related licensing. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body, so check with them before enrolling.
Would this programme help me work in embedded systems or telecoms in South Africa?
South Africa has electronics manufacturers, telecom operators and technology firms that employ embedded and communications engineers. Employers typically weigh practical skills, experience and recognised qualifications. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Ask prospective employers whether they would value it.
Can I study around a job, and what English level is needed?
The programme is entirely online and taught in English, so you need solid English for coursework and tutor communication. Because it is remote, no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each supported by a technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
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
Apply antenna theory to the design of radiators.
Design different antenna types for each application.
Simulate antennas with electromagnetic tools.
Synthesise arrays with controlled patterns.
Implement beamforming and adaptive processing.
Design antennas for communications and radar.
Measure and certify antennas under standardised conditions.
Who it's for
- Antenna engineers.
- Phased array engineers.
- RF engineers.
- Radar engineers.
- Antenna measurement engineers.
- Researchers in applied electromagnetics.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter telecommunications.
What you'll work with
- IEEE 145 (definitions of terms for antennas)
- IEEE 149 (test procedures for antennas)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment) (placing radio equipment on the EU market)
- IEC 62232 (RF field strength and exposure near base stations)
- ETSI EN 302 264 (short-range radar in the 77–81 GHz band)
- 3GPP TS 38.104 (5G NR base station radio transmission and reception)
- ITU-R S.580 (radiation diagrams for earth station antennas)
- CST Studio Suite
- Ansys HFSS
- FEKO
- MATLAB Antenna Toolbox
- Keysight ADS
12 modules
1.1Maxwell's equations and radiation1.2Elementary dipole1.3Radiation pattern1.4Directivity and gain1.5Efficiency and losses1.6Input impedance1.7Polarisation1.8Bandwidth1.9The Friis formula1.10Case study: link budget of a satellite system
2.1Dipoles and monopoles2.2Yagi-Uda antennas2.3Horn antennas2.4Parabolic reflectors2.5Patch antennas2.6Slot antennas2.7Helical antennas2.8Broadband antennas2.9Miniaturised antennas2.10Lab: designing a 5.8 GHz patch
3.1FEM, FDTD and MoM methods3.2Meshing and convergence3.3Ports and excitations3.4Boundary conditions3.5CST and HFSS tools3.6Parametric optimisation3.7Effect of the environment3.8Validating simulations3.9Computational resources3.10Practical exercise: simulating a horn in CST
4.1Array factor4.2Linear and planar arrays4.3Spacing and grating lobes4.4Taylor and Chebyshev amplitude distributions4.5Sidelobes4.6Mutual coupling4.7Active elements4.8Feed networks4.9Sparse arrays4.10Lab: synthesising a low-sidelobe array
5.1Electronic beam steering5.2Phase shifters and delay lines5.3Analogue, digital and hybrid beamforming5.4T/R modules5.5Beam squint and true time delay5.6Array calibration5.7Conformal arrays5.8Thermal management5.9Cost and complexity5.10Practical exercise: beam steering of an 8×8 array
6.1Direction-of-arrival estimation6.2MUSIC and ESPRIT6.3MVDR beamformer6.4Interference cancellation6.5Adaptive nulling6.6Robust beamforming6.7Algorithms on FPGA6.8Microphone arrays6.9Sonar arrays6.10Lab: DoA with MUSIC
7.1Base station antennas7.2Massive MIMO7.3Antennas for mobile terminals7.4Antenna-in-package7.5Antennas for IoT7.6Antennas for Wi-Fi 77.7Antennas for satellite communications7.8Low Earth orbit terminals7.9Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces7.10Practical exercise: MIMO antenna for a router
8.177 GHz automotive radar8.2Weather radar8.3Synthetic aperture radar8.4Civil air surveillance radar antennas8.5Radiometers8.6Radio astronomy antennas8.7Sidelobe and polarisation requirements8.8Radar calibration8.9Application cases8.10Case study: array for an automotive radar
9.1Metamaterials and metasurfaces9.2Frequency-selective surfaces9.3Lens antennas9.4Reflectarrays and transmitarrays9.5Reconfigurable antennas9.6Leaky-wave antennas9.73D-printed antennas9.8Textile antennas9.9Research trends9.10Lab: designing a reflectarray
10.1Anechoic chambers10.2Far field and near field10.3Compact ranges10.4Gain measurement10.5Pattern measurement10.6Efficiency measurement10.7OTA measurements10.8Uncertainty10.9IEEE 149 standards10.10Practical exercise: pattern measurement in an anechoic chamber
11.1Integration into platforms11.2Effect of housings and radomes11.3Coexistence and isolation11.4RF exposure11.5Radio Equipment Directive11.6ETSI standards11.7Product certification11.8Antenna manufacturing11.9Cost and volume11.10Workshop: antenna integration in a vehicle
12.1System requirements12.2Element selection12.3Array design12.4Feed network12.5Beamforming algorithm12.6Simulation12.7Measurements or validation12.8Analysis of results12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lectures 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 CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, FEKO, MATLAB Antenna Toolbox and Keysight ADS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures: anechoic chamber measurements, phased array calibration and validation of simulated patterns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEEE 145, IEEE 149, Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment), IEC 62232, ETSI EN 302 264, 3GPP TS 38.104, ITU-R S.580.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS, FEKO, MATLAB Antenna Toolbox and Keysight ADS, 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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