Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus. 8 modules covering UNE-EN ISO 7730 (thermal comfort), UNE-EN 16798-1 (indoor environment parameters) and DIALux evo. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus — studying from Ireland
Ireland is a significant centre for medical technology and pharmaceuticals, with many international device manufacturers and a strong cluster of biomedical research in Galway, Limerick and Dublin. Biomechanics, wearable sensing and occupational health technologies are developed by companies, hospitals and research institutes such as the National University of Ireland Galway's research groups. Engineers in this area design medical devices, rehabilitation systems and safety monitoring solutions under strict regulatory requirements. Oversight comes from the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Health and Safety Authority.
Fees for Ireland: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will this qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for this area?
SEIUM's qualifications are private qualifications, not official state degrees, and they are not accredited by any national body. Recognition is decided by individual employers or the relevant body. In Ireland, engineers in this field may look to Engineers Ireland for professional membership, but completing a SEIUM programme does not by itself grant membership of any body. Check requirements directly with the body concerned before enrolling.
How might this training be used by employers in Ireland working in this area?
Employers in Ireland decide for themselves how much weight to give a private online qualification. Many assess it alongside your existing experience, the final project and your portfolio. Roles in medical devices, occupational health and workplace safety may value specialist knowledge, but there is no guarantee of recognition or of any salary or promotion outcome. Ask prospective employers whether they would accept the qualification.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job, and does my employer need to fund it?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home at your own pace around work. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly commitment accordingly. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible if your company agrees. Each student is assigned a technical tutor for support.
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
Identify the factors that determine comfort in interior spaces.
Assess thermal comfort using the PMV and PPD indices.
Design strategies for good indoor air quality.
Control interior acoustics through materials and geometry.
Plan natural and artificial lighting with visual comfort.
Select furniture using ergonomic criteria.
Integrate all comfort criteria into an interior design project.
Who it's for
- Interior designers who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- Environmental comfort consultants who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- Architectural acoustics technicians who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- Lighting designers who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- WELL certification consultants who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- Technical architects who want to specialise in Interior Design with a Comfort Focus.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to move into architecture and interior design.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN ISO 7730 (thermal comfort)
- UNE-EN 16798-1 (indoor environment parameters)
- UNE-EN 12464-1 (lighting of indoor work places)
- CTE DB-HR (protection against noise)
- RITE (Royal Decree 1027/2007)
- UNE-EN ISO 3382-2 (reverberation time)
- WELL Building Standard
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Dimensions of comfort: thermal, acoustic, visual and air1.2Wellbeing and productivity1.3WELL and LEED certifications1.4EN 16798-1 standard for indoor environments1.5User and perception of space1.6Neuroarchitecture1.7Biophilia in design1.8Environmental quality indicators1.9Occupant surveys (POE)1.10Case study: post-occupancy evaluation of an office
2.1ISO 7730 and comfort categories2.2ASHRAE 55 adaptive model2.3Draughts and stratification2.4Radiant temperature and surfaces2.5Radiant versus convective systems2.6Individual control2.7Energy simulation and comfort2.8Sensors and monitoring2.9Passive strategies2.10Practical: PMV calculation for a room
3.1CO2 as a ventilation indicator3.2Volatile organic compounds3.3PM2.5 particles3.4Low-emission materials3.5Ventilation under RITE3.6ISO 16890 filtration3.7Humidity and mould3.8Air quality sensors3.9Air purifiers and their effectiveness3.10Laboratory: CO2 monitoring in a classroom
4.1Reverberation time4.2Absorption and absorbent materials4.3Sound insulation under CTE DB-HR4.4Speech intelligibility4.5Open-plan offices and ISO 3382-34.6Building services noise4.7Sound masking4.8Acoustic design of restaurants4.9On-site acoustic measurements4.10Workshop: acoustic treatment of a meeting room
5.1Daylight and daylight factor5.2EN 12464-1 standard5.3Glare (UGR)5.4Colour temperature and colour rendering5.5Circadian and melanopic lighting5.6Control and dimming5.7Windows and solar shading5.8Lighting simulation with DIALux5.9External views5.10Practical: lighting design for an office
6.1Workstations and display screens6.2Ergonomic chairs and EN 13356.3Height-adjustable desks6.4Spaces for collaboration and concentration6.5Design for diverse users6.6Materials and touch6.7Layout and circulation6.8Healthcare and residential furniture6.9Workstation assessment6.10Case study: redesign of a workstation
7.1Functional brief and requirements7.2Integrated services design7.3Selection of materials and finishes7.4Sustainability and circular economy7.5Budget and prioritisation7.6BIM coordination7.7Commissioning7.8Continuous monitoring7.9Client communication7.10Workshop: interior design decision matrix
8.1Space and user analysis8.2Comfort objectives8.3Thermal and ventilation strategy8.4Acoustic design8.5Lighting design8.6Furniture and layout8.7Simulation-based evaluation8.8Budget8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIALux evo, Revit, DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus), ODEON, CYPE, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for on-site thermal comfort measurements, indoor air quality audits, and acoustic and lighting measurements in spaces. Assessment is continuous, module 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.
Identify the factors that determine comfort in interior spaces.
Assess thermal comfort using the PMV and PPD indices.
Design strategies for good indoor air quality.
Control interior acoustics through materials and geometry.
Plan natural and artificial lighting with visual comfort.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English 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 totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses DIALux evo, Revit, DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus), ODEON and CYPE. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in Workstation Redesign and Ergonomic Automation
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Workstation Redesign and Ergonomic Automation. 8 modules covering ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in the design of work systems), ISO 11228-3 (repetitive…
Postgraduate Diploma in GDPR/HIPAA and Impact Assessments
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in GDPR/HIPAA and Impact Assessments. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), HIPAA (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) and Gestiona EIPD…
Postgraduate Diploma in Spatial Disorientation and Vestibular Factors
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Spatial Disorientation and Vestibular Factors. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (aircrew, including Part-MED), Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (air…
More in Health, Biomechanics, Wearables & Operational Safety
All Health, Biomechanics, Wearables & Operational Safety programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships