Postgraduate Diploma in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches. 8 modules covering ISO 26262-6:2018, ASAM XIL, and dSPACE SCALEXIO and ControlDesk. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches — 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 24 000 (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
Planning MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL test strategies.
Building SIL benches with virtual ECUs and plant models.
Configuring HIL benches with I/O, buses and fault injection.
Developing deterministic models for real-time operation.
Automating tests using ASAM XIL and Python.
Validating ADAS functions with OpenSCENARIO scenarios.
Generating test evidence aligned with ISO 26262.
Who it's for
- HIL validation engineer looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- SIL test engineer looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- Test automation engineer looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- Real-time modelling engineer looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- ADAS validation engineer looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- Test bench manager looking to specialise in Virtual Testing and SIL/HIL Test Benches.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 26262-6:2018
- ASAM XIL
- ISO 21448:2022 (SOTIF)
- ASAM OpenSCENARIO XML 1.3
- ASAM OpenDRIVE 1.8
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119-2:2021
- Automotive SPICE 4.0
8 modules · 800 h
1.1V-model and test levels1.2MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL compared1.3Front-loading of validation1.4Verifiable requirements and acceptance criteria1.5Requirement-to-test-case traceability1.6Requirements and code coverage1.7Testing under ISO 26262 Part 61.8Test strategy by ASIL level1.9Cost and return on virtual validation1.10Workshop: X-in-the-loop test plan
2.1Software compilation for host2.2Virtual ECUs from level 0 to 42.3Plant and environment models2.4CAN and Ethernet bus simulation2.5FMU integration in the SIL bench2.6Accelerated and deterministic execution2.7SIL in the cloud and parallelisation2.8Management of hardware stubs2.9Debugging in a virtual environment2.10Practical: SIL bench with one virtual ECU
3.1Real-time simulator and I/O3.2Signal conditioning and loads3.3Sensor and actuator emulation3.4Electrical fault injection3.5CAN, LIN, FlexRay and Automotive Ethernet interfaces3.6Synchronisation and real-time latencies3.7Power HIL for inverters and BMS3.8Electrical safety of the bench3.9Bench calibration and maintenance3.10Laboratory: configuring a BMS HIL
4.1Fixed-step requirements and determinism4.2Vehicle and powertrain models4.3Battery and power electronics models4.4Simplification and reduced order4.5Sensor models with noise and delay4.6Validation of plant models4.7FPGA deployment for fast dynamics4.8Management of variant parameters4.9Overrun and CPU load analysis4.10Practical: electric motor model on FPGA
5.1Testing languages and frameworks5.2ASAM XIL as bench API5.3Parameterised test cases5.4Sequences with Python and pytest5.5Stimulus management and automatic evaluation5.6Overnight regression tests5.7Continuous integration with HIL benches5.8Reports and traceability of results5.9Management of shared bench resources5.10Workshop: automated suite on ASAM XIL
6.1Scenario-based testing6.2ASAM OpenSCENARIO and OpenDRIVE6.3Simulation of camera, radar and LiDAR sensors6.4Generation of critical scenarios6.5SOTIF and ISO 214486.6Scenario and ODD coverage6.7Sensor-in-the-loop and over-the-air6.8Correlation between virtual and track6.9Safety metrics in scenarios6.10Case study: validating a virtual AEB
7.1Fault injection in software and hardware7.2Short circuits, open circuits and drifts7.3Communication faults and timeouts7.4Verification of safety mechanisms7.5Back-to-back model-to-code testing7.6Stress and timing tests7.7Analysis of results against FMEA7.8Evidence for the safety case7.9Qualification of test tools7.10Laboratory: fault injection campaign
8.1Selection of the ECU and scope8.2Test bench specification8.3Real-time plant model8.4I/O and bus configuration8.5Automated test cases8.6Fault injection campaign8.7Coverage and results analysis8.8Validation report8.9Written report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is dSPACE SCALEXIO and ControlDesk, NI VeriStand, Vector CANoe, MATLAB/Simulink, CARLA Simulator, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures from automated regression campaigns on HIL benches, electrical and communication fault injection, and scenario-based validation of ADAS functions. Assessment is continuous, module by 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.
Planning MIL, SIL, PIL and HIL test strategies.
Building SIL benches with virtual ECUs and plant models.
Configuring HIL benches with I/O, buses and fault injection.
Developing deterministic models for real-time operation.
Automating tests using ASAM XIL and Python.
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 command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with dSPACE SCALEXIO and ControlDesk, NI VeriStand, Vector CANoe, MATLAB/Simulink and CARLA Simulator. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final 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 recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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