Master’s in Advanced Exterior Lighting Design
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in advanced exterior lighting design: light signatures, ADB, regulations and homologation. 12 modules covering photometry, LED and laser sources, optical design, adaptive and matrix headlamps, rear lamps, light signature design, thermal management, electronics and homologation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Advanced Exterior Lighting Design — studying from Australia
Product design and human-machine interface work is important across Australian industries, from consumer goods and medical devices to mining equipment and transport systems. Designers and engineers collaborate on usability, ergonomics and visual interfaces, with growing attention to accessibility standards and user research. Australia has active design communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, supported by universities and design agencies. Employers include manufacturers, software companies, consultancies and in-house product teams in large organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$12,600 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification count for professional design recognition in Australia?
Australian design practice is recognised through bodies such as the Design Institute of Australia, which runs professional membership, and Engineers Australia covers engineering-related design. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies. Employers and the relevant body decide whether it counts toward recognition.
Which Australian employers need HMI and product design skills?
Australia has product design studios, software companies, automotive and medical device firms, and consultancies needing interface and product designers. Employers usually look closely at your portfolio and user research work. A SEIUM qualification may complement this, but its weight is determined by each employer.
Can I study this part-time from Australia and what language level is needed?
Yes, the courses are 100% online, so you can study from home across Australia without a student visa. Teaching is in English, so you need solid English proficiency. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor, instalment payments, and possible employer sponsorship.
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
Apply photometry and colorimetry to vehicle lighting.
Select LED and laser sources according to technical requirements.
Design optical systems with reflectors, lenses and light guides.
Develop adaptive headlamps and animated rear lamps.
Create light signatures consistent with brand identity.
Resolve thermal management and manufacturing of lamp assemblies.
Plan the international homologation of lighting devices.
Who it's for
- Optical design engineers.
- Automotive lighting designers.
- Lighting homologation engineers.
- Lighting electronics engineers.
- Thermal engineers working on lamp assemblies.
- Light signature designers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- UN Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)
- UN Regulation No. 149 (road illumination devices)
- UN Regulation No. 148 (light-signalling devices)
- UN Regulation No. 150 (retro-reflective devices and markings)
- FMVSS 108 (US lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment)
- CIE 15 (colorimetry)
- ISO 26262 (road vehicle functional safety)
- IEC 60529 (IP degrees of protection)
- Synopsys LucidShape
- Ansys Speos
- LightTools
- Autodesk Alias
- Ansys Icepak
12 modules
1.1Lighting and signalling functions1.2Headlamps, rear lamps and auxiliary lights1.3Evolution: halogen, xenon, LED and laser1.4Basic photometry1.5Lighting as a brand signature1.6Architecture of a lamp assembly1.7The lighting supply chain1.8Cost and perceived value1.9Trends in digital lighting1.10Case study: analysis of light signatures from several brands
2.1Quantities: flux, intensity, illuminance, luminance2.2CIE chromaticity coordinates2.3Regulatory colours: white, amber and red2.4Goniophotometry2.5Intensity distribution2.6Glare2.7Luminance measurement with cameras2.8LED photometry2.9Measurement uncertainty2.10Lab: goniophotometric measurement of a lamp
3.1LED physics and chips3.2Packages and binning3.3Efficacy and luminous flux3.4LED thermal management3.5Drivers and current control3.6Laser diodes and phosphor conversion3.7OLED in rear lamps3.8MicroLED3.9Reliability and service life3.10Practical exercise: LED selection for a rear lamp
4.1Freeform reflectors4.2Projection lenses4.3Light guides and light pipes4.4TIR optics4.5Beam cut-off design4.6Homogeneity of appearance4.7Simulation with LucidShape4.8Simulation with SPEOS4.9Optical tolerances4.10Lab: design of a light guide
5.1AFS systems5.2Adaptive driving beam (matrix glare-free headlamps)5.3Pixel light and DMD5.4Camera-based beam control5.5Road projection5.6Vehicle detection algorithms5.7UN Regulation 149 and adaptive functions5.8Night-time dynamic tests5.9Control electronics5.10Practical exercise: segment definition for a matrix headlamp
6.1Stop and position lamps6.2Sequential direction indicators6.3Reversing and rear fog lamps6.4Centre high-mounted stop lamp6.53D rear lamps and depth effects6.6Welcome animations6.7Communication with other road users6.8Illuminated body surfaces6.9Visibility and conspicuity6.10Case study: animated rear lamp
7.1Daytime running light signature7.2Unlit and lit appearance7.3Illuminated grilles and logos7.4Integration with Class-A surfaces7.5Design of internal details7.6Optical materials and finishes7.7Depth effects7.8Family coherence7.9Design approval process7.10Workshop: brand signature concept
8.1Polycarbonate and PMMA housings8.2Anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings8.3Reflector metallisation8.4Thermal management and heat sinks8.5Condensation and venting8.6Sealing and IP tests8.7Multi-component injection moulding8.8Laser and vibration welding8.9Quality and optical defects8.10Practical exercise: thermal analysis of an LED headlamp
9.1LED drivers and protection9.2LIN and CAN communication9.3Fault diagnosis9.4Electromagnetic compatibility9.5Animation software9.6Automatic levelling calibration9.7Integration with ADAS9.8Functional safety ISO 262629.9Cybersecurity of lighting modules9.10Lab: LIN control of a sequential rear lamp
10.1UN Regulations 48, 148, 149 and 15010.2E-marking and type approval10.3Photometric homologation tests10.4Environmental and vibration tests10.5FMVSS 108 for North America10.6Chinese GB requirements10.7Euro NCAP and lighting10.8Conformity of production10.9Technical documentation10.10Case study: homologation plan for a headlamp
11.1Communication of autonomous vehicles11.2Symbol projection11.3Lighting with integrated sensors11.4High-resolution headlamps11.5Lighting for electric vehicles11.6Sustainability and repairability11.7Cost of premium lighting11.8Market and suppliers11.9Research in visual perception11.10Practical exercise: exterior communication concept for a robotaxi
12.1Design briefing12.2Light signature concept12.3Source selection12.4Optical design12.5Photometric simulation12.6Thermal and mechanical design12.7Homologation plan12.8Concept presentation12.9Thesis 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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Synopsys LucidShape, Ansys Speos, LightTools, Autodesk Alias and Ansys Icepak, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for goniophotometric measurements, thermal and condensation tests and night-time dynamic headlamp tests. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UN Regulation No. 48, UN Regulation No. 149, UN Regulation No. 148, UN Regulation No. 150, FMVSS 108, CIE 15, ISO 26262, IEC 60529.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run 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 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 Synopsys LucidShape, Ansys Speos, LightTools, Autodesk Alias and Ansys Icepak, 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 demonstrable 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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