Course in Psychology of Space in Marine Interiors
Online course of 300 hours in spatial psychology for marine interiors: 6 modules covering environmental psychology applied to ships, sensory stimuli, crew wellbeing, biophilic and restorative design, evaluation of spatial experience, and a psycho-spatial design project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course in Psychology of Space in Marine Interiors — studying from Australia
Australia's maritime sector is substantial, encompassing naval shipbuilding, offshore oil and gas, port operations and recreational boating. The Royal Australian Navy's shipbuilding programmes, including the Hunter class frigates and Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, generate significant engineering demand. Offshore energy developments on the North West Shelf and in Bass Strait require marine and structural expertise. Recreational boating is widespread, supported by a strong sports nautical industry. Employers include naval shipbuilders, offshore operators, port authorities and marine equipment manufacturers.
Fees for Australia: A$868 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by Australian maritime regulators such as AMSA?
SEIUM qualifications are private and are not official state degrees or accredited by national bodies. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority regulates maritime certificates and qualifications separately, and SEIUM training does not replace those requirements. Confirm with AMSA or your employer which credentials your intended role requires.
Which Australian employers might consider this qualification for naval or offshore work?
Offshore energy operators, shipbuilders, naval contractors, marine consultancies and sports nautical manufacturers are examples of Australian employers in this area. Their hiring decisions depend on their own criteria and on any required certifications. A private qualification is one factor among experience and licensing.
Can I study this part time from Australia, and can employers help pay?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and fit learning around your schedule. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Confirm the total hours and expected pace before committing.
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
Understand the principles of environmental psychology in marine spaces.
Analyse the effect of sensory stimuli on passengers and crew.
Design spaces that support crew wellbeing.
Apply biophilic and restorative design strategies.
Evaluate the spatial experience using research methods.
Integrate regulatory comfort criteria into the design.
Develop a psycho-spatial design proposal for a ship.
Who it's for
- Marine interior designers.
- User experience researchers.
- Onboard wellbeing consultants.
- Crew welfare managers.
- Accommodation architects.
- Environmental psychologists.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join cruise and ferry operators.
What you'll work with
- MLC 2006 Title 3 (accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering for seafarers)
- EN 17037 (daylight in buildings)
- ISO 7730 (ergonomics of the thermal environment)
- IMO Resolution MSC.337(91) (Code on noise levels on board ships)
- ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in the design of work systems)
- WELL Building Standard v2 (health and wellbeing in built spaces)
- ISO 9241-210 (human-centred design for interactive systems)
- depthmapX
- Unity
- Qualtrics
- SPSS
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Classic theories of environmental psychology1.2Spatial perception and scale1.3Confined spaces and the feeling of enclosure1.4Territoriality and privacy1.5Crowding and perceived density1.6Wayfinding and mental maps1.7Attention restoration and nature1.8Stress and recovery on board1.9Cultural differences in perception1.10Case study: perceptual analysis of a cruise ship corridor
2.1Colour and emotions2.2Daylight and windows2.3Sea views and connection with the outside2.4Sound, silence and background noise2.5Smell and ambient scents2.6Textures and touch2.7Ship motion and perception2.8Temperature and the sensation of comfort2.9Risks of sensory overload2.10Workshop: sensory palette for a lounge
3.1Extended life on board3.2Isolation and mental health3.3Crew cabins and rest3.4Common spaces and socialising3.5Separation between work and leisure3.6Fatigue and circadian rhythms3.7ISWAN wellbeing guidelines3.8MLC 2006 requirements3.9Designing for coexistence3.10Practical exercise: redesign of a crew mess
4.1Principles of biophilic design4.2Plants and gardens on board4.3Use of natural materials4.4Water and dynamic elements4.5Circadian lighting on board4.6Fractal patterns and natural geometries4.7Prospect and refuge4.8Calm and meditation spaces4.9Scientific evidence for biophilic design4.10Lab: biophilic proposal for an atrium
5.1User research methods5.2Validated psychometric questionnaires5.3Observation and behaviour mapping5.4Virtual reality for testing5.5Physiological measures of stress5.6Space syntax analysis5.7Post-occupancy evaluation of spaces5.8Research ethics5.9Recommendations report5.10Case study: post-occupancy evaluation of a ferry
6.1Selecting the space6.2Identifying users6.3Perceptual diagnosis of the space6.4Defining the sensory strategy6.5Design proposal6.6Evaluation plan6.7Wellbeing indicators6.8Final design recommendations6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The course is taught 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 standards and applied exercises. The working software is depthmapX, Unity, Qualtrics and SPSS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: post-occupancy evaluation of passenger spaces, space syntax analysis of a deck and a biophilic design proposal for a common area. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MLC 2006 Title 3, EN 17037, ISO 7730, IMO Resolution MSC.337(91), ISO 6385, WELL Building Standard v2, ISO 9241-210.
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
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme 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 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with depthmapX, Unity, Qualtrics and SPSS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme 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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