Master’s in Subsea Systems & Umbilicals Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in subsea systems and umbilicals engineering: 12 modules covering subsea system architecture, wellheads and trees, subsea controls, umbilical design, terminations and distribution, subsea power, subsea processing, materials, qualification and testing, installation and commissioning, and reliability and integrity, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Design subsea production system architectures.
Specify trees, manifolds and control systems.
Size static and dynamic umbilicals.
Select materials for subsea and sour service.
Plan equipment qualification and testing.
Organise installation and commissioning.
Assess the reliability and integrity of subsea systems.
Who it's for
- Subsea systems engineers defining field architecture and SURF scope.
- Subsea controls engineers working on SCMs, HPUs and MCS.
- Umbilical engineers responsible for cross-section design and qualification.
- Technology qualification engineers bringing new subsea equipment to market.
- Subsea commissioning engineers handling testing and start-up.
- Subsea reliability engineers carrying out RAM and integrity studies.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the offshore oil and gas industry.
What you'll work with
- API RP 17A / ISO 13628-1 (design and operation of subsea production systems)
- API Spec 17E / ISO 13628-5 (subsea umbilicals)
- API Spec 17D (subsea wellhead and tree equipment)
- API Spec 17F (subsea production control systems)
- ISO 15156 (materials for use in H2S-containing environments)
- DNV-RP-A203 (technology qualification)
- API RP 17H (ROV interfaces on subsea production systems)
- IEC 61508 (functional safety)
- OrcaFlex
- OLGA
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Uniflex
- AutoCAD Plant 3D
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Components of a subsea production system1.2Satellite, cluster and template configurations1.3Distribution of services: hydraulics, chemicals and power1.4SURF systems and their scope1.5Interface between topsides and subsea equipment1.6Block and interconnection diagrams1.7Functional specification of a system1.8SIIS interface standards1.9Standardisation trends in the industry1.10Case study: architecture of a 25 km tie-back
2.1Subsea wellheads and hangers2.2Vertical and horizontal trees2.3Master, wing and crossover valves2.4Subsea chokes and their control2.5Tubing hanger and orientation2.6Installation and test tools2.7API 17D pressure and temperature classes2.8FAT, EFAT and SIT testing2.9Workover and re-entry2.10Workshop: test sequence for a subsea tree
3.1Direct and piloted hydraulic control3.2Multiplexed electro-hydraulic control3.3Subsea control modules (SCM)3.4Hydraulic power unit (HPU)3.5Master control station (MCS)3.6Copper and fibre-optic communications3.7Instrumentation: pressure, temperature and flowmeters3.8All-electric control systems3.9Emergency shutdown and safety logic3.10Practical exercise: emergency well shut-in logic
4.1Functions of a control umbilical4.2Thermoplastic hoses versus steel tubes4.3Duplex and super duplex steels in tubes4.4Electrical power and signal cables4.5Optical fibres and their protection4.6Cross-section and bundling4.7Calculation of axial loads and bending4.8Dynamic and static umbilicals4.9Qualification according to ISO 13628-54.10Workshop: cross-section design of an umbilical
5.1UTA and SDU terminations5.2Hydraulic flying leads and electrical flying leads5.3Wet-mate electrical connectors5.4ROV and stab connectors5.5Chemical distribution of inhibitors5.6MEG and methanol injection5.7Rigid jumper design5.8Subsea metrology for jumpers5.9Installation tolerances5.10Case study: distribution scheme for a cluster
6.1Subsea AC versus DC transmission6.2Subsea transformers and variable speed drives6.3High-voltage penetrators and connectors6.4Power supply for multiphase pumps6.5Direct electrical heating (DEH)6.6Long-distance power cables6.7Load flow studies6.8Reliability of submerged electrical systems6.9Subsea power grid6.10Practical exercise: power balance of a boosting system
7.1Helico-axial multiphase pumps7.2Seabed gas-liquid separation7.3Oil-water separation and reinjection7.4Subsea gas compression7.5Seawater injection pumps- sgard and Ormen Lange experience
7.7Maintenance and retrieval of modules7.8Subsea processing selection criteria7.9Integration with flow assurance7.10Case study: justification of subsea boosting
8.1Material selection for sour service8.2ISO 15156 standard for H2S8.3Hydrogen-induced embrittlement8.4External subsea coatings8.5Cathodic protection of subsea equipment8.6Polymer materials and seals8.7Ageing of thermoplastics8.8Microbiologically influenced corrosion8.9Chemical compatibility of fluids8.10Lab: material selection for a manifold
9.1Technology qualification according to DNV-RP-A2039.2Technology readiness levels (TRL)9.3Hyperbaric chamber testing9.4Factory acceptance testing9.5System integration testing9.6Dimensional control and metrology9.7Non-conformance management9.8Handover documentation9.9Preparation for transport9.10Practical exercise: qualification plan for a connector
10.1Umbilical installation from a carousel10.2Laying and pull-in at the platform10.3Flying lead connection by ROV10.4Post-installation testing10.5Pre-commissioning and commissioning10.6Line filling and flushing10.7Initial system start-up10.8As-built system documentation10.9Lessons learned in installation10.10Case study: installation sequence of a dynamic umbilical
11.1RAM reliability analysis11.2Umbilical failure modes11.3Subsea condition monitoring11.4Electronics obsolescence management11.5Intervention and replacement of SCMs11.6Integrity of umbilicals in service11.7Analysis of insulation failures11.8Strategic spares management11.9Life extension11.10Workshop: RAM analysis of a control system
12.1Field definition and requirements12.2Subsea system architecture12.3Control system design12.4Umbilical specification12.5Qualification and test plan12.6Installation and operation strategy12.7Technical conclusions and future work12.8Review with the thesis supervisor12.9Master's Thesis 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. 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 OrcaFlex, OLGA, ANSYS Mechanical, Uniflex and AutoCAD Plant 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: cross-section design of an umbilical, planning of system integration tests (SIT) and reliability analysis of a control system. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: API RP 17A / ISO 13628-1, API Spec 17E / ISO 13628-5, API Spec 17D, API Spec 17F, ISO 15156, DNV-RP-A203, API RP 17H, IEC 61508.
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 OrcaFlex, OLGA, ANSYS Mechanical, Uniflex and AutoCAD Plant 3D, 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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