Postgraduate Diploma in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans. 8 modules with RTCA DO-160G, RTCA DO-254 and Siemens Questa. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans — 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 33 400 (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
Understand the aeronautical equipment certification framework.
Select DO-160G environmental categories.
Plan electrical and electromagnetic compatibility tests.
Draft traceable test plans and procedures.
Apply the DO-254 design assurance cycle.
Verify complex electronic hardware with full coverage.
Prepare SOI audits with the authority.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical certification engineer who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- Avionics hardware engineer who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- FPGA verification engineer who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- Environmental test engineer who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- Aeronautical quality assurance manager who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- Aeronautical systems engineer who wants to specialise in DO-160/DO-254 and Test Plans.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter the aviation sector.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-160G
- RTCA DO-254
- SAE ARP4754B
- SAE ARP4761A
- EUROCAE ED-14G
- EUROCAE ED-80
- FAA AC 20-152A
- RTCA DO-178C
8 modules · 800 h
1.1EASA and FAA authorities1.2CS-25 and Part 25 certification bases1.3ETSO and TSO approvals1.4ARP4754B system development1.5ARP4761A safety assessment1.6DAL design assurance levels1.7Relationship between DO-160, DO-254 and DO-178C1.8EUROCAE and RTCA equivalence1.9Role of the DER and the CVE1.10Case study: certification route for an LRU
2.1Structure and categories of DO-160G2.2Temperature and altitude2.3Temperature variation and humidity2.4Operational shock and crash safety2.5Sinusoidal and random vibration2.6Watertightness and fluids2.7Sand, dust and fungus2.8Salt fog2.9Declaration of environmental categories2.10Practical exercise: selecting categories for an equipment item
3.1Power input, section 163.2Voltage spikes, section 173.3Audio frequency susceptibility3.4Magnetic field susceptibility3.5Conducted and radiated RF susceptibility3.6RF emission, section 213.7Induced lightning, section 223.8Direct lightning effects3.9Electrostatic discharge, section 253.10Workshop: EMC test plan for an LRU
4.1Environmental qualification plan4.2Detailed test procedures4.3Configuration of the equipment under test4.4Acceptance and performance criteria4.5Test sequence and units4.6Witnesses and authority presence4.7Laboratories and accreditation4.8Deviations and their management4.9Environmental qualification report4.10Laboratory: vibration test procedure
5.1Scope of DO-254 and AC 20-152A5.2Complex electronic hardware5.3Hardware life cycle5.4PHAC plan and associated plans5.5Hardware requirements and traceability5.6Conceptual and detailed design5.7FPGA and ASIC implementation5.8Support processes: configuration and quality5.9Liaison with the authority5.10Practical exercise: drafting a PHAC
6.1Reviews and analyses6.2Functional simulation6.3Testing on real hardware6.4Requirements coverage6.5HDL code coverage analysis6.6Verification of DAL A and B elements6.7FFPA failure mode analysis6.8Commercial IP and COTS6.9Qualification of design tools6.10Laboratory: HDL test bench in Questa
7.1SOI involvement stages7.2Planning reviews7.3Development and verification reviews7.4Final review and closure7.5HAS achievements summary7.6Management of open issues7.7Hardware configuration data7.8Lessons learned from projects7.9Integration with software certification7.10Case study: preparing a SOI 2 audit
8.1Description of the LRU and its function8.2DAL level and certification basis8.3Selected DO-160G categories8.4Environmental qualification plan8.5Hardware PHAC plan8.6Verification strategy8.7Traceability matrix8.8Audit plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens Questa, IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next, Siemens HyperLynx, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for random vibration testing, radiated susceptibility testing and SOI hardware audit. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the aeronautical certification framework for equipment.
Select DO-160G environmental categories.
Plan electrical and electromagnetic compatibility tests.
Draft traceable test plans and procedures.
Apply the DO-254 design assurance cycle.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Siemens Questa, IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS Next, Siemens HyperLynx, MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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