Master’s in Rehabilitation, Exoskeleton & Assistive Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Rehabilitation, Exoskeleton and Assistive Engineering, with 12 modules covering rehabilitation technology, biomechanics and pathophysiology, exoskeleton mechanical design, actuation and control, sensors, rehabilitation robotics, assistive technologies, industrial exoskeletons, clinical evaluation and regulation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Rehabilitation, Exoskeleton & Assistive Engineering — studying from Australia
Health technology and biomechanics are growing areas in Australia, supported by a strong medical research sector and an established medical device industry. Wearable devices and occupational safety systems are increasingly used in mining, construction and healthcare. Medical devices are regulated nationally, requiring engineers to understand conformity, risk management and clinical evaluation. Employers include medical device manufacturers, hospitals, research institutes such as those affiliated with universities, and workplace safety consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$12,600 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by Engineers Australia or other professional bodies for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private qualifications and are not accredited by Engineers Australia or any other national body. Recognition is decided by individual employers and, where relevant, by the professional body assessing your application. Engineers Australia assesses skills and experience independently, so check directly with the body you hope to join before enrolling.
Which Australian employers might value this training in health, biomechanics or wearable safety work?
Employers in Australian medical device firms, rehabilitation services, workplace health and safety teams and wearable technology companies may consider advanced engineering training when hiring. Whether they value a private qualification depends on each employer's own policy and on your existing experience. Speaking with prospective employers about how they view private qualifications is a sensible step.
Can I study this alongside full-time work in Australia, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from any time zone, including Australian time zones, around your work hours. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible; ask your employer whether they fund training. Plan for the workload of 300 to 1,900 hours depending on the programme, and confirm the schedule with SEIUM.
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
Analyse the rehabilitation needs of different conditions.
Design exoskeletons that are mechanically compatible with the body.
Implement control strategies for assistance.
Integrate sensors and interfaces to detect user intention.
Clinically evaluate rehabilitation devices.
Apply the regulations on medical devices and personal care robots.
Design user-centred assistive technology.
Who it's for
- Rehabilitation engineers.
- Exoskeleton designers.
- Robotic control engineers.
- Assistive technology specialists.
- Medical robotics researchers.
- Clinical engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the medical device sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (medical devices)
- ISO 13482 (personal care robots)
- IEC 80601-2-78 (medical robots for rehabilitation)
- ISO 14971 (risk management for medical devices)
- IEC 62366-1 (usability engineering)
- ISO 7176 (wheelchairs)
- IEC 62304 (medical device software lifecycle)
- ISO 9999 (assistive products)
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB and Simulink
- OpenSim
- ROS 2
- LabVIEW
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Physical disability and its prevalence1.2ICF model applied to rehabilitation1.3The multidisciplinary rehabilitation team1.4Types of assistive technology1.5Exoskeletons versus conventional orthoses1.6Assessing user needs1.7Clinical evidence in rehabilitation technology1.8Funding and orthoprosthetic prescription1.9Challenges in technology adoption1.10Case study: rehabilitation pathway for a spinal cord injury
2.1Biomechanics of pathological gait2.2Spinal cord injury and its levels2.3Stroke and hemiparesis2.4Multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular diseases2.5Amputations and associated biomechanics2.6Spasticity and its measurement2.7Sarcopenia and frailty2.8Functional clinical scales2.9Instrumented measurement of disability2.10Practical exercise: analysis of hemiplegic gait
3.1Lower-limb architectures3.2Upper-limb exoskeletons3.3Alignment with human joints3.4Self-aligning joint mechanisms3.5Materials and lightweight manufacturing3.6Physical human-exoskeleton interface3.7Transmissions and gear reducers3.8Series elastic actuators3.9Mechanical safety and limits3.10Lab: CAD design of a knee joint
4.1Motors and drivers for exoskeletons4.2Impedance and admittance control4.3Assist-as-needed control4.4Intention detection with EMG4.5Gait phase-based control4.6Transparency control4.7Control stability and safety4.8Learning algorithms4.9User testing4.10Practical exercise: impedance control on a knee test bench
5.1Inertial sensors in exoskeletons5.2Force and torque sensors5.3Pressure insoles5.4Electromyography for control5.5Brain-machine interfaces for exoskeletons5.6Sensors in physical interfaces5.7Sensor fusion with complementary filters5.8Calibration and drift5.9User interfaces and apps5.10Lab: gait phase detection with an IMU
6.1End-effector robots6.2Gait robots such as Lokomat6.3Upper-limb rehabilitation robots6.4Hand rehabilitation6.5Training dosage6.6Motivation and gamification6.7Robotic assessment of function6.8Clinical evidence and guidelines6.9Integration into the hospital6.10Case study: rehabilitation protocol with a gait robot
7.1Manual and powered wheelchairs7.2Alternative wheelchair control7.3Hoists and transfers7.4Aids for daily living7.5Assistive robotic arms7.6Augmentative communication systems7.7Environmental control systems7.8Assistive technology for older people7.9Prescription and fitting7.10Practical exercise: wheelchair evaluation with ISO 7176
8.1Passive lumbar support exoskeletons8.2Active exoskeletons for load carrying8.3Ergonomic assessment with EMG and kinematics8.4Acceptance by workers8.5Regulations applicable to occupational exoskeletons8.6Risks and side effects8.7Implementation cases8.8Cost and return8.9Technology trends in soft exoskeletons8.10Case study: assessment of a lumbar exoskeleton
9.1Clinical study design9.2Outcome measures9.3Validated functional scales9.4Instrumented gait analysis9.5Metabolic cost of assisted walking9.6Usability and satisfaction9.7Safety and adverse events9.8Long-term user follow-up9.9Scientific dissemination of results9.10Practical exercise: evaluation protocol for an exoskeleton
10.1Regulation (EU) 2017/745 for exoskeletons10.2ISO 13482 personal care robots10.3IEC 80601-2-78 rehabilitation robots10.4ISO 14971 and risk10.5IEC 62366-1 usability10.6IEC 62304 software10.7Safety testing10.8CE marking of the exoskeleton10.9Manufacturer's liability10.10Workshop: risk analysis of an exoskeleton
11.1Active participation of end users11.2Design for home use11.3Aesthetics and social acceptance11.4Fit and sizing11.5Training users and carers11.6Maintenance and technical support for users11.7Costs and affordability11.8Ethics of assistive technology11.9Open innovation with patient associations11.10Case study: redesign with users with spinal cord injury
12.1Clinical or functional need12.2User requirements12.3Mechanical design of the device12.4Control strategy12.5Prototype and testing12.6Evaluation of the prototype with users12.7Risk analysis12.8Regulatory pathway for the exoskeleton12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online learning on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, MATLAB and Simulink, OpenSim, ROS 2 and LabVIEW, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: exoskeleton testing with users, instrumented gait analysis and safety testing of assistive devices. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2017/745, ISO 13482, IEC 80601-2-78, ISO 14971, IEC 62366-1, ISO 7176, IEC 62304, ISO 9999.
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 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 SolidWorks, MATLAB and Simulink, OpenSim, ROS 2 and LabVIEW, 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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