Master’s in High-Power Fast Charging (HPC)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in high-power fast charging (HPC). 12 modules covering fast-charging physics, power electronics, HPC station architecture, vehicle-charger communication under ISO 15118, grid connection, safety to IEC 61851-23, site design, thermal management, operation, testing and deployment, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in High-Power Fast Charging (HPC) — studying from South Africa
Two-wheeler transport is significant in South Africa, both for commuting and for delivery services, and the motorcycle and scooter market has grown steadily. Local assembly and distribution of motorcycles and scooters are supported by importers and manufacturers, and the sector interacts with road safety regulation and licensing. Engineers working on two-wheelers focus on chassis design, braking systems, emissions and rider safety. Growing interest in electric scooters and light mobility is also shaping demand.
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
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Professional engineering registration runs through ECSA, and motorcycle-related standards and testing involve bodies such as the SABS. Whether a SEIUM qualification is recognised is for employers or the relevant body to decide, so check before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in the two-wheeler sector?
Motorcycle manufacturers, importers, dealers and component suppliers may value engineering depth in vehicle dynamics, powertrains or design. A private qualification can add to your profile, but it does not carry official status, so its impact depends on employer preference and your existing experience. Speak to potential employers to understand their view.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is fully online and taught 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. Ask SEIUM about time-zone expectations and weekly workload 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
Understand the physical limits of fast battery charging.
Design power electronics stages for chargers.
Define architectures for high-power stations.
Master vehicle-charger communication protocols.
Solve grid connection and power quality issues.
Apply safety and certification standards.
Plan fast-charging deployments.
Who it's for
- Fast-charging engineers
- Power electronics engineers
- Interoperability specialists
- Charging station designers
- Charging network operations engineers
- Certification engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join charger manufacturers
What you'll work with
- IEC 61851-23 (DC electric vehicle charging stations)
- ISO 15118-20 (second-generation vehicle-to-grid communication interface)
- IEC 62196-3 (DC and AC/DC vehicle couplers)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR, alternative fuels infrastructure)
- DIN SPEC 70121 (digital communication for DC charging)
- UL 2202 (electric vehicle charging system equipment)
- IEC 61000-3-12 (limits for harmonic currents)
- OCPP 2.0.1 (Open Charge Point Protocol)
- PLECS
- MATLAB/Simulink
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- Ansys Icepak
12 modules
1.1Charging power and C-rate1.2Electrochemical limitations of the cell1.3Lithium plating1.4Charging curves of real vehicles1.5400 V and 800 V architectures1.6Temperature and preconditioning1.7Optimal state of charge for charging1.810–80% charging time1.9Vehicle comparison1.10Case study: analysis of charging curves
2.1Active front-end (AFE) rectifiers2.2Isolated DC/DC converters2.3LLC and DAB topologies2.4Silicon carbide semiconductors2.5Stackable power modules2.6Efficiency and losses2.7Power factor and harmonics2.8Liquid cooling of modules2.9Component reliability2.10Lab: simulation of a DAB converter
3.1Integrated and distributed chargers3.2Dispensers and power cabinets3.3Dynamic power sharing3.4Common DC bus3.5Liquid-cooled charging cables3.6CCS2 and NACS connectors3.7Megawatt Charging System3.8Transformer units3.9Storage integration3.10Practical: architecture of a 1.2 MW station
4.1DIN SPEC 701214.2ISO 15118-2 and -204.3Plug & Charge4.4PLC communication over the control pilot line4.5CHAdeMO and GB/T4.6DC charging sequence4.7Power negotiation4.8Cross-brand interoperability4.9Common communication errors4.10Case study: trace analysis of a failed charging session
5.1Medium-voltage connection5.2Transformer sizing5.3Impact on the distribution grid5.4Harmonics and flicker5.5Reactive power compensation5.6Power limitation5.7Batteries as a buffer5.8Demand tariffs5.9Grid services5.10Workshop: grid connection study
6.1IEC 61851-23 requirements6.2IEC 61851-1 general requirements6.3Connectors to IEC 62196-36.4North American certification to UL 22026.5DC electrical safety6.6Insulation monitoring6.7Arc protection6.8Safety of liquid-cooled cables6.9Charger electromagnetic emissions6.10Practical: safety verification of a charger
7.1Corridors and service stations7.2Bay layout7.3Accessibility and vehicles with trailers7.4Truck charging7.5Civil works and ducting7.6Fire protection7.7Lighting and security7.8User amenities7.9Site maintenance7.10Case study: design of a motorway station
8.1Heat dissipation in power cabinets8.2Cooling of cables and connectors8.3Component thermography8.4Operation in extreme climates8.5Temperature derating8.6Fan noise8.7Cooling circuit maintenance8.8CFD simulation of cabinets8.9Long-term thermal reliability8.10Lab: thermography of a connector
9.1OCPP 2.0.1 protocol9.2Backend and CPMS9.3Remote charger monitoring9.4Diagnostics and OTA updates9.5Payments and terminals9.6Availability and SLAs9.7Incident management9.8Session data9.9Cybersecurity in operation9.10Practical: simulation of an OCPP backend
10.1Type testing10.2Interoperability testing10.3Testivals and plugfests10.4Performance testing10.5Metering and legal metrology10.6Field testing10.7Validation with different vehicles10.8EMC testing10.9CE marking of the charger10.10Case study: test plan for a new charger
11.1AFIR Regulation and targets11.2Operators and networks11.3Equipment costs11.4Charger manufacturers11.5Technological evolution of chargers11.6Heavy-duty vehicle charging11.7Robotic and automated charging11.8Deployment strategy11.9Lessons from existing networks11.10Workshop: corridor deployment plan
12.1Site or product definition12.2Demand study12.3Electrical architecture design12.4Equipment selection12.5Grid connection12.6Station design12.7Operation and software12.8Economic analysis of the project12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are 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 PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and Ansys Icepak, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: analysis of ISO 15118 communication traces, design of HPC stations on corridors and interoperability testing with vehicles. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEC 61851-23, ISO 15118-20, IEC 62196-3, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR), DIN SPEC 70121, UL 2202, IEC 61000-3-12, OCPP 2.0.1.
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 PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and Ansys Icepak, 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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