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Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in UAS / Drone Engineering (Platform, Missions, Payloads)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in UAS and drone engineering (platform, missions and payloads), structured in 12 modules covering platform configurations, aerodynamics and sizing, structures, propulsion and energy, avionics and autopilots, data links, electro-optical and special payloads, mission planning, European regulation and safety, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the configurations and performance of UAS platforms.

02

Size the aerodynamics, structure and propulsion of a drone.

03

Configure autopilots and communication links.

04

Integrate electro-optical and special payloads.

05

Plan and execute safe missions.

06

Apply the European UAS regulatory framework.

07

Assess the safety and reliability of drone operations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • UAS design engineers.
  • Payload integrators working with cameras, LiDAR and specialist sensors.
  • UAS pilots and operators aiming to move into engineering roles.
  • Drone avionics engineers.
  • UAS operations managers.
  • Drone maintenance technicians.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter drone operations.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS classes and third-country operators)
  • Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EU common rules in civil aviation and EASA)
  • JARUS SORA (specific operations risk assessment)
  • Royal Decree 517/2024 (Spanish legal framework for UAS operations)
  • ASTM F3411-22a (Remote ID and tracking)
  • EUROCAE ED-270 (geo-awareness and geofencing requirements)
  • PX4
  • ArduPilot
  • QGroundControl
  • Mission Planner
  • XFLR5
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Multirotors with four to eight motors
  2. 1.2Fixed-wing aircraft
  3. 1.3Hybrid fixed-wing VTOL
  4. 1.4Unmanned helicopters
  5. 1.5Classification by mass and range
  6. 1.6Classes C0 to C6
  7. 1.7Platform selection by mission
  8. 1.8Performance and endurance
  9. 1.9Reference commercial platforms
  10. 1.10Case study: platform selection for linear inspection
  1. 2.1Fixed-wing flight equations
  2. 2.2Constraint-based sizing
  3. 2.3Propeller theory
  4. 2.4Hover and thrust in multirotors
  5. 2.5Drag polar
  6. 2.6Low Reynolds numbers and aerofoils
  7. 2.7Longitudinal and lateral static stability
  8. 2.8Flight envelope
  9. 2.9Sensitivity analysis
  10. 2.10Lab: sizing of a 5 kg fixed-wing aircraft
  1. 3.1Composite materials and carbon fibre
  2. 3.23D printing in structures
  3. 3.3Flight and landing loads
  4. 3.4Structural analysis with FEM
  5. 3.5Vibration and isolation
  6. 3.6Joints and assembly
  7. 3.7Structural load testing
  8. 3.8Short-series manufacturing
  9. 3.9Repair and maintenance
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: FEM analysis of a multirotor arm
  1. 4.1Brushless motors and their KV constant
  2. 4.2ESC electronic speed controllers
  3. 4.3Propeller selection
  4. 4.4LiPo and Li-ion batteries
  5. 4.5Combustion engines
  6. 4.6Hybrid electric generation systems
  7. 4.7Hydrogen fuel cells
  8. 4.8Thermal management of motors and batteries
  9. 4.9Endurance estimation
  10. 4.10Lab: motor and propeller thrust bench
  1. 5.1Flight controllers
  2. 5.2PX4 and ArduPilot
  3. 5.3IMU, barometer and magnetometer sensors
  4. 5.4GNSS and RTK
  5. 5.5Sensor fusion with EKF
  6. 5.6Flight modes
  7. 5.7Telemetry via the MAVLink protocol
  8. 5.8Battery and link fail-safes
  9. 5.9Hardware integration
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: PX4 configuration on a quadcopter
  1. 6.1C2 links in ISM bands
  2. 6.2Video transmission
  3. 6.3Satellite communications
  4. 6.4Cellular networks for BVLOS control
  5. 6.5Control stations: QGroundControl and Mission Planner
  6. 6.6Antennas and range
  7. 6.7Interference and radio coexistence
  8. 6.8Link encryption
  9. 6.9Management of multiple links
  10. 6.10Case study: link budget for a BVLOS flight
  1. 7.1High-resolution RGB cameras
  2. 7.2Radiometric thermal cameras
  3. 7.3Three-axis stabilised gimbals
  4. 7.4Multispectral cameras for vegetation
  5. 7.5Optical and digital zoom
  6. 7.6Sensor calibration
  7. 7.7Resolution and GSD
  8. 7.8Mechanical and electrical integration
  9. 7.9On-board data management
  10. 7.10Lab: GSD calculation and capture plan
  1. 8.1Lightweight LiDAR for UAS
  2. 8.2Gas sensors
  3. 8.3Lightweight synthetic aperture radar
  4. 8.4Radiation sensors for environmental monitoring
  5. 8.5Atmospheric sampling and air quality
  6. 8.6Delivery payloads
  7. 8.7Agricultural spraying with tanks
  8. 8.8Loudspeakers and spotlights
  9. 8.9Integration and balancing
  10. 8.10Workshop: integration of a gas sensor on a multirotor
  1. 9.1Mission analysis
  2. 9.2Route planning
  3. 9.3Operational risk management
  4. 9.4Checklists
  5. 9.5Briefing and debriefing
  6. 9.6Battery management in the field
  7. 9.7Weather conditions and wind limits
  8. 9.8Night operations and lighting
  9. 9.9Flight logging
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: search and rescue mission plan
  1. 10.1Regulation (EU) 2019/947
  2. 10.2Regulation (EU) 2019/945
  3. 10.3Open category requirements
  4. 10.4Specific category requirements
  5. 10.5Standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02
  6. 10.6Operator registration
  7. 10.7Pilot training
  8. 10.8Mandatory third-party liability insurance
  9. 10.9Applicable Spanish regulations
  10. 10.10Case study: operation file in the specific category
  1. 11.1Risk assessment with SORA
  2. 11.2Failure analysis
  3. 11.3Parachutes and flight termination systems
  4. 11.4Geofencing and height limitation
  5. 11.5Detect and avoid
  6. 11.6Preventive fleet maintenance
  7. 11.7UAS cybersecurity
  8. 11.8Incident reporting
  9. 11.9Safety management
  10. 11.10Lab: failure mode analysis of a multirotor
  1. 12.1Mission definition
  2. 12.2Platform requirements
  3. 12.3UAS sizing
  4. 12.4Payload selection
  5. 12.5Avionics architecture
  6. 12.6Operations plan
  7. 12.7Risk assessment
  8. 12.8Flight or simulation validation
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online 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 each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Mission Planner and XFLR5, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: test flights with the PX4 autopilot, bench thrust tests and capture missions with electro-optical payloads. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, JARUS SORA, Royal Decree 517/2024, ASTM F3411-22a Remote ID, EUROCAE ED-270.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Regulation (EU) 2019/945, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and JARUS SORA applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Mission Planner and XFLR5, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete UAS designed for a defined mission, from sizing and payload selection to operations plan and validation, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Fixed-wing sizing
Size a 5 kg fixed-wing UAS and analyse its flight envelope.
Propulsion bench testing
Characterise a motor and propeller on a thrust bench and estimate endurance.
Autopilot and link set-up
Configure PX4 on a quadcopter and prepare a BVLOS link budget.
Payload and mission plan
Calculate GSD, integrate a payload and plan a search and rescue mission.
Master's Thesis
Design a UAS for a defined mission, with operations plan, risk assessment and validation, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

UAS design engineerPayload integratorUAS pilot and operatorDrone avionics engineerUAS operations managerDrone maintenance technician
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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 PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Mission Planner and XFLR5, 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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