Master’s in Automotive Electronics Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in automotive electronics engineering, structured in 12 modules covering vehicle E/E architecture, automotive requirements and qualification, in-vehicle networks, AUTOSAR software, ISO 26262 functional safety, vehicle cybersecurity, electric propulsion, ADAS, body electronics, automotive EMC and validation and production, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Automotive Electronics Engineering — 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 110 000 (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
Analyse the electronic architecture of current vehicles.
Apply the quality and qualification requirements of the automotive sector.
Design vehicle communications with CAN, LIN and Ethernet.
Develop software compliant with AUTOSAR and Automotive SPICE.
Integrate functional safety and cybersecurity requirements.
Design and validate electronics for electric propulsion and ADAS.
Develop a complete automotive electronic system.
Who it's for
- Automotive electronics engineers
- AUTOSAR software engineers
- Functional safety engineers
- Vehicle cybersecurity engineers
- ECU validation engineers
- ADAS systems engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a vehicle manufacturer
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262 (road vehicle functional safety)
- ISO/SAE 21434 (road vehicle cybersecurity engineering)
- UNECE R155 (cybersecurity management system)
- UNECE R10 (vehicle electromagnetic compatibility)
- AEC-Q100 (automotive integrated circuit qualification)
- ISO 16750-2 (electrical loads for vehicle equipment)
- CISPR 25 (radio disturbance limits for vehicle components)
- IATF 16949 (automotive quality management)
- Vector CANoe
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Vector DaVinci
- ETAS INCA
- dSPACE SCALEXIO
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Evolution of the E/E architecture1.2Electronic control units1.3Domain and zonal architectures1.4The software-defined vehicle1.512 V and 48 V power networks1.6High-voltage architecture1.7Wiring harnesses and connectors1.8On-board diagnostics1.9Trends in centralised computing1.10Case study: migration from a distributed to a zonal architecture
2.1Thermal and mechanical environments2.2Automotive mission profiles2.3AEC-Q component qualification2.4The ISO 16750 standard2.5Reliability and target failure rate2.6IATF 16949 quality management2.7Part approval through PPAP2.8Zero-defect quality2.9Traceability in production2.10Practical exercise: mission profile of an under-bonnet ECU
3.1CAN and CAN FD bus3.2LIN bus for body electronics3.3FlexRay in critical systems3.4100BASE-T1 automotive Ethernet3.5SOME/IP and services3.6Central vehicle gateways3.7Designing DBC and ARXML databases3.8Network load analysis3.9CANoe analysis tools3.10Lab: CAN network simulation with CANoe
4.1AUTOSAR Classic architecture4.2AUTOSAR Adaptive platform4.3Basic software configuration4.4OSEK and POSIX operating systems4.5The Automotive SPICE process4.6Model-based development4.7Calibration with XCP4.8Diagnostics with the UDS protocol4.9Over-the-air software updates4.10Practical exercise: AUTOSAR component with a diagnostic interface
5.1ISO 26262 concepts5.2HARA analysis and ASIL5.3Safety concept5.4Safe hardware: metrics5.5Safe software and partitioning5.6Safety of the intended functionality5.7Safety microcontrollers5.8Safety validation5.9The safety case5.10Workshop: safety concept for an anti-pinch window lifter
6.1Life cycle according to ISO/SAE 214346.2UNECE R155 regulation6.3TARA threat analysis6.4ECU security architecture6.5Hardware security modules6.6Secure communication with SecOC6.7Security in diagnostics6.8Incident management across the fleet6.9UNECE R156 regulation6.10Case study: TARA of a central gateway
7.1Electric vehicle architecture7.2Traction inverters7.3High-voltage DC-DC converters7.4On-board chargers7.5Battery management systems7.6High-voltage electrical safety7.7Propulsion thermal management7.8Fast charging and protocols7.9Insulation and monitoring7.10Lab: state-of-charge estimation in a BMS
8.1Levels of automation8.2Automotive radar8.3Cameras and vision8.4Automotive LiDAR sensors8.5Sensor fusion8.6Autonomous driving computers8.7Scenario-based validation8.8The Euro NCAP programme8.9Regulation of automated systems8.10Practical exercise: radar-camera fusion with real data
9.1LED lighting control9.2Keyless entry systems9.3Electronic climate control9.4Powered seats and mirrors9.5Infotainment systems9.6Digital instrument cluster9.7Actuator control9.8Quiescent power management9.9User communications9.10Workshop: quiescent current of a body ECU
10.1UNECE R10 regulation10.2CISPR 25 standards10.3ISO 11452 tests10.4ISO 7637 transients10.5ISO 10605 electrostatic discharge10.6PCB design for automotive10.7Input filtering and protection10.8EMC in electric vehicles10.9Vehicle-level testing10.10Lab: conducted emissions according to CISPR 25
11.1The V-model development process11.2ECU hardware design11.3Design verification11.4Product validation11.5Durability testing11.6Industrialisation of the electronic product11.7End-of-line testing11.8Design and process FMEA11.9Engineering change management11.10Case study: validation plan for an ECU
12.1Definition of the electronic system12.2Technical and regulatory requirements12.3Hardware and software architecture12.4Functional safety analysis12.5Cybersecurity analysis12.6Implementation or simulation12.7Validation plan12.8Conclusions on automotive electronics12.9Thesis 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, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Vector CANoe, MATLAB/Simulink, Vector DaVinci, ETAS INCA and dSPACE SCALEXIO, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation and analysis of vehicle CAN and Ethernet networks, electromagnetic compatibility testing according to CISPR 25 and ECU validation on hardware-in-the-loop benches. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155, UNECE R10, AEC-Q100, ISO 16750-2, CISPR 25, IATF 16949.
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'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 Vector CANoe, MATLAB/Simulink, Vector DaVinci, ETAS INCA and dSPACE SCALEXIO, 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 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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