Master’s in Land Electronic Warfare (EW/ECM/ECCM)
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in land electronic warfare (EW/ECM/ECCM), structured in 12 modules covering land propagation, radar, tactical communications, receivers and signal processing, electronic support, attack and protection, spectrum management, EMC and modelling and testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Land Electronic Warfare (EW/ECM/ECCM) — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
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
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and 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 with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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 radio propagation in land environments.
Know the fundamentals of radar and tactical communications.
Design receiver and signal-processing chains.
Apply direction-finding and geolocation techniques.
Analyse the doctrinal principles of electronic attack and protection.
Manage the spectrum and electromagnetic compatibility.
Assess the legal and ethical framework of spectrum operations.
Who it's for
- Electronic warfare systems engineers.
- Signal processing engineers.
- Spectrum managers in defence or telecommunications.
- RF engineers moving into defence applications.
- EMC engineers working on military platforms.
- Doctrine analysts.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into defence.
What you'll work with
- AJP-3.6 (NATO doctrine for electromagnetic warfare)
- MIL-STD-461G (EMI control requirements for subsystems and equipment)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international treaty governing spectrum use)
- MIL-STD-464D (electromagnetic environmental effects for systems)
- ITU-R P.1546-6 (point-to-area propagation prediction)
- ITU-R P.526-16 (propagation by diffraction)
- MIL-STD-188-125-1 (HEMP protection for fixed ground-based facilities)
- Wassenaar Arrangement (export controls on dual-use goods and technologies)
- MATLAB
- GNU Radio
- Keysight SystemVue
- Ansys STK
- Radio Mobile
12 modules
1.1Frequency bands of interest1.2Effect of terrain1.3Diffraction by obstacles1.4ITU-R P.526 and P.1546 models1.5Multipath1.6Vegetation attenuation1.7Urban environments1.8Radio noise1.9Planning tools1.10Practical exercise: coverage calculation with a propagation model
2.1The radar equation2.2Pulsed, CW and FMCW radar2.3Doppler processing2.4Range and velocity resolution2.5Ground clutter2.6Ground surveillance radars2.7Radar signal processing2.8Sensitivity and detection2.9Antenna architectures2.10Laboratory: simulation of an FMCW radar
3.1VHF and UHF radios3.2Tactical waveforms3.3The frequency-hopping principle3.4Radio networks3.5Software-defined radio3.6MANET networks3.7Satellite communications3.8Network planning3.9Network management3.10Practical exercise: network plan for a unit
4.1Superheterodyne receivers4.2Digital receivers4.3Sensitivity and dynamic range4.4FFT spectral analysis4.5Signal detection4.6Modulation classification with machine learning4.7Parameter measurement4.8Emitter databases4.9Receiver calibration4.10Laboratory: modulation classification
5.1Principles of electronic support5.2Interferometry5.3Amplitude comparison5.4TDOA and FDOA techniques5.5Location accuracy5.6Data fusion5.7Direction-finding antennas5.8Sources of error5.9Calibration5.10Practical exercise: position estimation by TDOA
6.1Doctrinal taxonomy6.2Signal-to-interference ratio6.3The decoy concept6.4Effects on civil GNSS6.5Legal restrictions6.6Risk of self-interference6.7Spectrum coordination6.8Effects assessment6.9Public lessons from recent conflicts6.10Case study: impact of GNSS interference on civil aviation
7.1Frequency and space diversity7.2Spread spectrum7.3Adaptive antennas7.4Null steering7.5Space-time processing7.6Low probability of intercept7.7Positioning and timing resilience7.8Emission control7.9Operator training7.10Laboratory: simulation of an adaptive antenna
8.1AJP-3.6 doctrine8.2Spectrum planning8.3Resolution of frequency conflicts8.4Spectrum databases8.5Coordination with civil authorities8.6Management tools8.7Allied interoperability8.8Exercises8.9Lessons learned8.10Workshop: spectrum management plan for an exercise
9.1MIL-STD-461G requirements9.2MIL-STD-464D requirements9.3HEMP protection9.4Shielding9.5Co-site interference9.6Vehicle integration9.7EMC testing9.8Lightning protection9.9Electrical bonding9.10Case study: co-site in a command vehicle
10.1Simulation of electromagnetic environments10.2Hardware-in-the-loop10.3Scenario generators10.4Test ranges10.5Data management10.6Verification, validation and accreditation10.7Digital twins10.8Acceptance testing10.9System certification10.10Practical exercise: HIL scenario for a receiver
11.1International humanitarian law11.2ITU Radio Regulations11.3Harmful interference11.4Protection of the civilian population11.5Export control11.6Professional ethics11.7Accountability11.8Dual-use technologies11.9National spectrum regulations11.10Case study: legal analysis of an interference case
12.1Choice of topic12.2State of the art12.3Requirements and scope12.4Methodology12.5Modelling and simulation12.6Testing or validation12.7Analysis of results12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are 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 MATLAB, GNU Radio, Keysight SystemVue, Ansys STK and Radio Mobile, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: simulation of electromagnetic environments, hardware-in-the-loop receiver testing and co-site compatibility analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: AJP-3.6, MIL-STD-461G, ITU Radio Regulations, MIL-STD-464D, ITU-R P.1546-6, ITU-R P.526-16, MIL-STD-188-125-1, Wassenaar Arrangement.
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 MATLAB, GNU Radio, Keysight SystemVue, Ansys STK and Radio Mobile, 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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