Graduate Certificate in Programmable Logic Controllers and SCADA

Course Duration
Duration
  • 6 Months
Course Study
Study Mode
  • Online
  • Online Industrial Automation
Course Location
Location
  • Online
Course Code
Course Code
GCPLC
Course Intakes
Intakes
Course Type
Course Type
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Industrial Automation, Instrumentation and Process Control
Course Fees
Fees

Course Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Programmable Logic Controllers and SCADA (Supervisory control and data acquisition) is postgraduate qualification that includes masters level units as part of the program. This Graduate Certificate will provide you with an opportunity to develop your expertise in Programmable Logic Controllers, gain in-depth understanding from the fundamentals to advanced concepts and technologies used in contemporary SCADA systems and DCSs (Distributed Control System), as part of the industrial communication systems.

It offers an opportunity for industry professionals in the field to review, refresh and enhance their knowledge and skills in PLC, SCADA and control systems without having to complete a full Master’s degree.

Program Details

Programmable Logic Controllers and SCADA play a key role in the Industrial Automation Engineering. The Graduate Certificate in Programmable Logic Controllers and SCADA covers knowledge and skills covers knowledge and skills underpinning the fundamentals of programmable controllers used in industrial automation as well as apply their knowledge for their operation, networking, distributed controllers, and programming control strategies. Additionally, the program will introduce students to SCADA systems hardware and software, a review of typical DCS and SCADA systems, examines DCS controllers and configuration. 

The learning outcomes of the course is designed to equip students with professional engineering skills and knowledge to address issues with the evaluation and design of programmable controllers (associated with hardware equipment) for designing an industrial process automation solution as well as planning and managing the selection, design, installation, configuration and programming for supervisory needs in the control of process plants. 

You must complete 12 credit points comprising four core units. There are no electives in this program. The program duration is six months across two terms, and you will study two units per term. For further study, graduates may consider EIT’s Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation).

Unit Code Subjects Credit Points
ME502 Programmable Logic Controllers 3
ME503 Industrial Process Control Systems 3
ME602 SCADA and Distributed Control Systems 3
ME603 Advanced Process Control 3

Applicants are required to:

  • Hold a recognized bachelor degree (or above) in engineering or science in a congruent field of practice*,
  • Have completed the equivalent of first-year Bachelor level mathematics, or are able to demonstrate recognized relevant work experience.
  • Have an appropriate level of English Language Proficiency at an English pass level in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education, or an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no individual band less than 6.0)**, or equivalent as outlined in the EIT Admissions Policy.

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-congruent engineering field are required to demonstrate their prior learning and experience is equivalent to the entry requirements (exact positions and roles that will be considered relevant are to be decided by each specialisation and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the EIT Admissions Committee).

Applicants who do not hold a recognized bachelor’s degree are required to demonstrate their prior learning and experience is equivalent to this qualification. A minimum of an Australian Advanced Diploma (or equivalent) in Engineering and 5 years of technical work experience at a technologist level or above in a relevant engineering field is required for an application to be considered (exact positions and roles that will be considered relevant are to be decided by each specialization and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the EIT Admissions Committee) ***

Please note:

  1. All applicants must have evidence of engineering exposure in their degree and/or work experience
  2. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  3. Please check the Documentation Guidelines for your application.

*Congruent field of practice means one of the following with adequate Industrial Automation content (fields not listed below to be considered by the Dean and the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis):

  • Industrial Automation
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Instrumentation, Control, and Automation
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical and Material Systems
  • Mechatronic Systems
  • Manufacturing and Management Systems
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic and Communication Systems
  • Chemical and Process Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Production Engineering

**Applicants may have a maximum of one individual band of 5.5 and be granted entry subject to the provision of English language support by EIT

*** Applicants who enter and complete this qualification without holding a prior Bachelor’s Degree and go on to complete an EIT Master’s Degree may not be eligible for Engineers Australia recognition. However, students can lodge a personal application with Engineers Australia to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

For full current fees in your country go to the drop down filter at the top of this page or visit the Fees page.

Payment Methods

Learn more about payment methods, including payment terms & conditions and additional non-tuition fees.

Like all Australian higher education providers and universities, EIT programs are accredited by the exacting standards of the Australian Government’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). This Graduate Certificate is a formally recognized qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Find out more about country-specific accreditation and professional recognition.

As a graduate you will have the ability to undertake work as PLC/SCADA programmer, projects involving control systems and process control.  

You are expected to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week attending live webinars, learning the program material and completing assessments. This includes attending weekly webinars that run for about 60 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This program has a 70% attendance requirement in the live webinars in order to graduate from the program. If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you have the option of watching the recording of completed webinars and sending a summary of what you have learnt from the webinar to the Learning Support officer. The summaries go towards your attendance requirement for the program.

This program is run online on an intensive part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take 6 months to complete.

EIT understands that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you feel that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular module challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated Learning Support Officer for assistance.

Applications are open for both our upcoming intakes. You must submit your application at least four weeks prior to the start date to be considered for your desired intake.

A census date is the date at which an enrolment is considered to be final. Any withdrawal you make after the study period census date will incur an academic penalty (for example, a fail grade) and a financial penalty (for example, no refund of your student contribution or tuition fees). See our current census dates.

Any student has a right to appeal a decision of the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) or any member of the institute’s staff. EIT has a comprehensive Policy on Appeals and Grievances to assist students.

Hear from our students

  The delivery methodology and the information available in the e-library can’t be beaten. The other important aspect of online education is recorded lectures. You can review the tutorial and lessons on repeat when you need to understand the concept.  
M Masemola, South Africa
  What I liked most about the course and EIT is the flexibility is offered regarding education. It gave me the opportunity to study and work full-time.  
C Groenewald, South Africa
  I enjoyed interacting with students all around the world, and seeing how the principles I have learned applies to them as well.  
S Zeelie, South Africa
  My line of work requires me travel quite often. I could not attend every class due to my remote locations, but still I could recap and stay on top of the study material thanks to the recordings. Also, all the Instructors were world class.  
P Pretorius, South Africa

Helpful Information

Why EIT?

We are one of the only institutes in the world specializing in engineering.

Industry Orientated Programs Icon Industry-Oriented Programs
Leaders in Industry Icon Industry Experienced Lecturers
Australian Accredited Icon World-Class Australian Accredited Education
Technology Careers Unique Delivery Model

Engineering Institute of Technology