Master’s in User Satcom Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in user satcom engineering: 12 modules covering satellite systems for users, link budgets, waveforms and protocols, terminal antennas and electronics, mobile terminals, 5G non-terrestrial networks, installation, regulation and terminal testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the architecture of satellite systems and their user services.
Calculate link budgets with standardised propagation models.
Analyse satellite communication waveforms and protocols.
Design antennas and electronics for user terminals.
Integrate terminals into non-terrestrial networks and mobile environments.
Apply the regulatory and installation requirements for terminals.
Develop a complete user satellite terminal project.
Who it's for
- Satellite communications engineers.
- User terminal engineers.
- NTN systems engineers.
- VSAT installation technicians looking to move into engineering roles.
- Satellite network operations engineers.
- Spectrum regulation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join satellite operators.
What you'll work with
- ETSI EN 301 428 (VSAT earth stations in the 11/12/14 GHz bands)
- ETSI EN 303 979 (earth stations on mobile platforms (ESOMPs) in the Ka band)
- ETSI EN 302 307-2 (DVB-S2X extensions)
- ETSI EN 301 545-2 (DVB-RCS2 lower layers for satellite)
- ITU Radio Regulations (international treaty governing the use of the radio spectrum)
- Recommendation ITU-R P.618 (propagation data for Earth-space telecommunication systems)
- 3GPP TS 38.300 (NR and NG-RAN overall description)
- Recommendation ITU-R S.465 (reference radiation pattern for earth station antennas)
- STK (Systems Tool Kit)
- MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox
- SatMaster Pro
- Ansys HFSS
- Keysight PathWave VSA
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Space, ground and user segments1.2Fixed, mobile and broadcasting services1.3GEO, MEO and LEO orbits compared1.4Current broadband constellations1.5Transparent and regenerative architectures1.6Spot beams and frequency reuse1.7User terminal business model1.8L, S, Ku, Ka and Q/V bands1.9Trends in the satellite sector1.10Case study: comparison of broadband services
2.1Link equation and EIRP2.2Terminal G/T ratio2.3Atmospheric and rain losses2.4ITU-R attenuation models2.5Availability and link margins2.6Adjacent satellite interference2.7Transponder intermodulation noise2.8C/N, C/I and C/(N+I) ratios2.9Doppler effect in low orbits2.10Practical exercise: Ku-band link budget for a VSAT
3.1DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X standard3.2DVB-RCS2 return channel3.3Adaptive coding and modulation3.4MF-TDMA multiple access3.5TCP acceleration and PEP3.6Link encryption and security3.7Narrowband IoT signals over satellite3.8L-band messaging protocols3.9Quality of service management3.10Lab: analysis of a DVB-S2X carrier
4.1Offset parabolic reflectors4.2Feed horns and OMTs4.3Flat-panel aperture antennas4.4Electronic phased arrays for LEO4.5Metamaterial antennas4.6Mechanical and electronic tracking4.7Patterns and sidelobe envelopes4.8Multibeam antennas for dual satellite4.9Radomes and installation environment4.10Practical exercise: design of a Ka-band flat array
5.1LNB converters and downconverter blocks5.2BUC transmit amplifiers5.3Satellite modems and their functions5.4Oscillators and frequency stability5.5IF interfaces and cables5.6Terminal power supply and consumption5.7Outdoor thermal management5.8GNSS integration for pointing5.9Low-cost terminal design5.10Workshop: noise budget of a receive chain
6.1Communications on the move (COTM)6.2Maritime VSAT terminals6.3In-flight connectivity6.4Terminals for trains and vehicles6.5Rapid-deployment portable terminals6.6Satellite phones and messaging6.7Direct-to-device connectivity6.8Blockage and inter-beam handovers6.9Certification of mobile terminals6.10Case study: connectivity for a merchant vessel
7.13GPP NTN architecture7.2NR adaptations for satellite7.3NB-IoT and LTE-M over satellite7.4Delay and Doppler management7.5High-altitude platform stations (HAPS)7.6Integration with terrestrial networks7.7Roaming between satellite and mobile networks7.8Release 17 and 18 use cases7.9NTN roadmap in 6G7.10Practical exercise: Doppler compensation in an NTN link
8.1Terminal pointing and polarisation8.2Signal measurement and alignment8.3Lightning protection and earthing8.4Mounts and wind loads8.5Commissioning and service activation8.6Remote terminal supervision8.7Diagnosis of common faults8.8Preventive field maintenance8.9Safety when working at height8.10Workshop: VSAT commissioning procedure
9.1ITU Radio Regulations9.2Frequency coordination and filings9.3Terminal and station licences9.4Landing rights authorisations9.5Off-axis EIRP density limits9.6Harmonised standards for satellite equipment9.7Field exposure from terminals9.8Space debris and orbital sustainability9.9Cybersecurity of user segments9.10Case study: authorisation file for a VSAT network
10.1Rural broadband and the digital divide10.2Cellular backhaul over satellite10.3Emergency communications10.4Remote IoT connectivity10.5Energy, mining and offshore platforms10.6Agriculture and environmental monitoring10.7Government and defence: an overview10.8Direct-to-home television broadcasting10.9Economic and pricing models10.10Workshop: rural broadband business plan
11.1Satellite system simulation11.2Satellite channel emulators11.3Laboratory performance testing11.4G/T and EIRP measurements11.5Anechoic chamber testing11.6Terminal environmental testing11.7Live network testing11.8Interoperability with operators11.9Type approval documentation11.10Lab: G/T measurement with a solar noise source
12.1Service and terminal definition12.2User requirements analysis12.3System link budget12.4Antenna and electronics design12.5Performance simulation12.6Installation and operation plan12.7Regulatory and economic analysis12.8Conclusions on the terminal12.9Master'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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, SatMaster Pro, Ansys HFSS and Keysight PathWave VSA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: link budget calculation with ITU-R models, G/T and EIRP measurement on terminals, and field commissioning of VSAT terminals. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ETSI EN 301 428, ETSI EN 303 979, ETSI EN 302 307-2, ETSI EN 301 545-2, ITU Radio Regulations, Recommendation ITU-R P.618, 3GPP TS 38.300, Recommendation ITU-R S.465.
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'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 STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB Satellite Communications Toolbox, SatMaster Pro, Ansys HFSS and Keysight PathWave VSA, 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 programme's 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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