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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Subsea Cables and Critical Infrastructure
The Diploma in Subsea Cables and Critical Infrastructure Introduces you to the invisible infrastructure behind the internet and the energy transition: subsea telecommunications and power cables. You will study how routes are plann
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Subsea Cables and Critical Infrastructure?
The Diploma in Subsea Cables and Critical Infrastructure
Introduces you to the invisible infrastructure behind the internet and the energy transition: subsea telecommunications and power cables. You will study how routes are planned, how cables are manufactured, laid and buried, how they are repaired, what legal protection they have and how they are defended against accidental damage and threats to critical infrastructure.
Key advantages
- Telecoms and power: Fibre-optic and power cables in a single programme.
- Marine operations: Cable ships, ploughs, ROVs and repairs.
- Infrastructure security: Protection against anchors, fishing and deliberate acts.
- Legal framework: UNCLOS and international protection of cables.
- A growing sector: Power interconnectors, offshore wind and new data cables.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know the industry: Understand the global subsea cable market.
- Plan routes: Apply route and seabed surveys.
- Master installation: Learn about laying, burial and protection.
- Protect the infrastructure: Apply security and monitoring measures.
- Specialise: A technical niche with high demand and few specialists.
- Specialise in the critical infrastructure of the seabed.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Subsea Cable Industry
- History of subsea cables
- Internet traffic and dependence on cables
- Power cables and interconnectors
- Players: operators, manufacturers and installers
- Market and new projects
- Landing stations and data centres
- Global resilience and redundancy
- Industry trends
02
Telecoms and Power Cable Technology
- Optical fibre and transmission systems
- Repeaters and power feeding
- AC and DC cables
- Dynamic cables for floating renewables
- Armouring and protection
- Manufacturing and testing
- Service life and degradation
- Fibre-optic sensing for monitoring
03
Route and Seabed Surveys
- Desktop study and route selection
- Geophysical and geotechnical surveys
- Natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides and currents
- Crossing other cables and pipelines
- Fishing and anchoring areas
- Environmentally sensitive areas
- Burial design
- Route documentation
04
Installation and Burial
- Cable ships and their equipment
- Installation planning
- Laying in deep and shallow water
- Ploughs, jetting and trenchers
- Rock placement and mattress protection
- Shore landings and horizontal directional drilling
- Using ROVs during installation
- Quality control and documentation
05
Maintenance, Faults and Repair
- Causes of faults: fishing, anchors and natural events
- Fault location
- Maintenance agreements between operators
- Repair operations at sea
- Repair times and their impact
- Spares and depots
- Periodic inspection
- Managing service life
06
Legal Framework and Consents
- Cables under the Law of the Sea Convention
- Freedom to lay cables and its limits
- Criminal protection of cables
- Consents in territorial waters and the EEZ
- Environmental assessment
- Relations with fishing and shipping
- EU critical infrastructure rules
- Industry recommendations
07
Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Accidental and deliberate threats
- Maritime surveillance and AIS
- Acoustic and fibre-optic monitoring
- Cooperation between operators and authorities
- Protecting landing points
- National resilience plans
- Crisis management for mass outages
- Lessons from recent incidents
08
Case Study: A Subsea Cable Project
- Project definition
- Preliminary route selection
- Route risk analysis
- Choosing cable type and protection
- Installation plan
- Consents plan
- Maintenance and security plan
- Final report
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Telecommunications and electrical engineers: working on networks and power systems Naval engineers and special vessel officers: interested in cable ships Offshore wind and interconnector professionals: managing power cables Security and defence specialists: focused on critical infrastructure protection Lawyers and public officials: working on consents and cable protection
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand subsea cable systems
- 02Plan routes
- 03Understand installation
- 04Manage repairs
- 05Apply the legal framework
- 06Protect the infrastructure
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Subsea cable project engineer: At operators and installers.
02Route planning specialist: Route and seabed surveys.
03Marine operations coordinator: Installation and repair.
04Critical infrastructure protection specialist: Security and resilience.
05Consents and environment specialist: Project permitting.
06Subsea networks consultant: Telecoms and power.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Yes. Both are studied, with their technical differences and specific operations.
Yes. Array and export cables are a critical part of any offshore wind farm.
Yes. One module covers critical infrastructure protection and cooperation with authorities.
It is recommended, although legal and security profiles can follow the programme without difficulty.
You design a subsea cable project from route planning to maintenance.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Subsea Cables and Critical Infrastructure qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A technical (telecommunications, electrical, naval, civil, marine science), nautical or legal background, or professional experience in the maritime, energy or telecoms sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.