Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription. 8 modules covering ISO 22523 (external limb prostheses and orthoses: requirements and test methods), ISO 13404 (categorisation and description of external orthoses) and Autodesk Fusion 360. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription — studying from Canada
Canada has a well-developed health technology and medical device sector, with concentrations in Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia. Research institutions and hospitals collaborate with companies on biomechanics, rehabilitation engineering and wearable sensing. Medical devices are regulated by Health Canada under the Medical Devices Regulations, and workplace safety is overseen by provincial occupational health and safety bodies. Engineers in this field contribute to device development, ergonomics and operational safety assessment.
Fees for Canada: C$2,330 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Is this programme recognised by professional bodies in Canada for engineering work in health and biomechanics?
SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body in Canada. Professional engineering in Canada is regulated provincially by bodies such as Professional Engineers Ontario or Engineers and Geoscientists BC, which set licensing requirements. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so you should check directly with them before relying on it.
Will this qualification help me find work in biomechanics or wearables in Canada?
It can strengthen your technical profile, but employers in Canada, including hospitals, medical device firms and safety-focused companies, decide how much weight to give a private qualification. Many roles in regulated health technology also require provincial licensing or specific credentials. A final project and an assigned technical tutor can help you show practical capability in interviews, but no job outcome can be guaranteed.
Can I study this while working full time in Canada, and do I need a visa?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Specialist courses are about 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, so plan your weekly study time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the time zone for live elements with the school before enrolling.
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 biomechanical principles of functional orthoses.
Assess the patient's functional impairment to underpin the prescription.
Select lower limb, upper limb and spinal orthoses according to the clinical indication.
Design custom orthoses using 3D scanning and CAD.
Apply additive manufacturing to the production of personalised orthoses.
Evaluate functional outcomes using scales and gait analysis.
Document the prescription and the regulatory compliance of an orthosis.
Who it's for
- Orthopaedic technician who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Custom orthotics engineer who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Specialist in digital orthotic manufacturing who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Physiotherapist specialising in orthotics who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Technical manager in orthopaedics who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Researcher in functional rehabilitation who wishes to specialise in Functional Orthoses and Clinical Prescription.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter orthopaedic technology.
What you'll work with
- ISO 22523 (external limb prostheses and orthoses: requirements and test methods)
- ISO 13404 (categorisation and description of external orthoses)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR)
- ISO 8549-3 (orthotic vocabulary)
- ISO 8551 (description of functional impairment)
- ISO 13485 (quality management of medical devices)
- ISO 14971 (risk management)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Definition and ISO 8549 classification of orthoses1.2Three-point pressure principle1.3Biomechanics of stabilisation and correction1.4Control of joint movement1.5Static, dynamic and progressive orthoses1.6Materials: thermoplastics, carbon and textiles1.7Skin tolerance and relief zones1.8Nomenclature by joint: AFO, KAFO, WHO1.9Multidisciplinary team in orthopaedics1.10Case study: biomechanical analysis of a rigid AFO
2.1Neuromusculoskeletal examination2.2Assessment of spasticity: Ashworth scale2.3Joint and muscle balance2.4Observational and instrumented gait analysis2.5Functional goals of the orthosis2.6Writing the orthotic prescription2.7NHS catalogue of orthotic and prosthetic provision2.8Funding and renewal criteria2.9Consent and patient expectations2.10Workshop: writing prescriptions for five clinical cases
3.1AFO for equinus foot and dorsiflexor weakness3.2Articulated and ground reaction AFOs3.3AFO–footwear tuning3.4KAFO and knee-locking orthoses3.5Functional and post-surgical knee orthoses3.6Insoles and plantar orthoses3.7Orthoses in childhood cerebral palsy3.8Orthoses in spinal cord injury: RGO and HKAFO3.9Orthoses with knee stance control: SCKAFO3.10Practice: tuning adjustment of an AFO using gait video
4.1Biomechanics of the hand and wrist4.2Resting and functional wrist orthoses4.3Orthoses for flexor and extensor tendons4.4Orthoses in rheumatoid arthritis4.5Dynamic finger extension orthoses4.6Elbow and shoulder orthoses4.7Orthoses following burns and for contractures4.8Low-temperature thermoforming4.9Orthoses in stroke and spastic hand4.10Laboratory: thermoforming a resting hand orthosis
5.1Biomechanics of the spine5.2Braces for idiopathic scoliosis: Chêneau and Boston5.3Cobb angle and treatment criteria5.4Orthoses for vertebral fractures5.5Cervical collars and halo5.6Lumbosacral orthoses for low back pain5.7Brace compliance and wear sensors5.8SOSORT guidelines for orthotic treatment5.9Radiological assessment of correction5.10Case study: brace prescription for a 30-degree scoliosis
6.13D scanning of the body segment6.2CAD design and digital rectification6.33D printing of personalised orthoses6.4Finite element simulation of stiffness6.5Materials for additive manufacturing: PA12 and TPU6.6Exoskeletons and active orthoses6.7Orthoses with functional electrical stimulation6.8Custom-made device under MDR Annex XIII6.9Quality control and traceability6.10Workshop: parametric design of a printed AFO
7.1Outcome measures in orthoses: OPUS7.2Instrumented gait assessment with orthoses7.3Satisfaction with QUEST7.4Adherence and reasons for discontinuation7.5Complications: skin lesions and atrophy7.6Follow-up and periodic reviews7.7Growth-related adjustments in paediatrics7.8Scientific evidence of orthotic efficacy7.9Cost-effectiveness of the prescription7.10Case study: outcome evaluation after six months of AFO use
8.1Selection of the clinical case8.2Full functional assessment8.3Definition of therapeutic goals8.4Prescription and technical justification8.5Orthosis design and specification8.6Trial plan and adjustments8.7Outcome evaluation protocol8.8Medium-term follow-up plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
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: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Meshmixer, Vicon Nexus, Materialise 3-matic, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assays are studied through real clinical assessment and prescription procedures in consultation, instrumented gait analysis with and without orthoses, and additive manufacturing of custom orthoses. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the biomechanical principles of functional orthoses.
Assess the patient's functional impairment to underpin the prescription.
Select lower limb, upper limb and spinal orthoses according to the clinical indication.
Design custom orthoses using 3D scanning and CAD.
Apply additive manufacturing to the production of personalised orthoses.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Meshmixer, Vicon Nexus, Materialise 3-matic, Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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