Interior Design, Packaging & Ergonomics
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in interior, packaging and ergonomics engineering: 12 modules covering occupant packaging, anthropometry and biomechanics, the driver workplace, interior architecture, reflections and visibility, habitability, interior safety and homologation, cognitive ergonomics and HMI, comfort and validation under SAE J1100, SAE J826 and ISO 7250-1, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Define occupant packaging with the H-point and SAE J1100 dimensions.
Apply anthropometry and biomechanics to the design of the driver workplace.
Organise the interior architecture while respecting safety and serviceability.
Evaluate reflections, visibility and distraction in the cabin.
Verify interior homologation requirements in Europe and the United States.
Validate ergonomic solutions with clinics, mock-ups and virtual reality.
Anticipate the interior needs of autonomous vehicles.
Who it's for
- Interior packaging engineers.
- Vehicle ergonomics specialists.
- Interior engineers working on trim and cockpit systems.
- Interior homologation engineers.
- Human factors researchers.
- Habitability attribute managers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- SAE J1100 (motor vehicle dimensions)
- SAE J826 (H-point machine and design tool)
- ISO 7250-1 (basic human body measurements)
- UNECE Regulation No. 21 (interior fittings)
- FMVSS 201 (occupant protection in interior impact)
- SAE J287 (driver hand control reach)
- ISO 3832 (luggage compartment volume)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration evaluation)
- CATIA V5
- RAMSIS
- Tecnomatix Jack
- Autodesk VRED
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1H-point, R-point and SgRP1.2OSCAR manikin according to SAE J8261.3Torso, hip and knee angles1.4Heel point and accelerator pedal1.5Head and knee clearance1.6Second and third seat rows1.7Ingress and egress accessibility1.8Interior dimensions defined in SAE J11001.95th and 95th anthropometric percentiles1.10Lab: H-point definition in CATIA
2.1Anthropometric bases according to ISO 7250-12.2Variability of the global population2.3Digital human models in CAD2.4Preferred driving postures2.5Biomechanics of reach and effort2.6Postural load using the RULA method2.7Ageing population and reduced mobility2.8Inclusive design and adjustment ranges2.9Validation with real subjects2.10Practical: reach analysis with RAMSIS
3.1Steering wheel adjustment, diameter and position3.2Pedal box and pedal spacing3.3Gear selector and its location3.4Reach to controls according to SAE J2873.5Instrument visibility zones3.6Armrests and driver supports3.7Electric parking brake3.8Layout of displays and controls3.9Identification of controls according to UNECE 1213.10Workshop: driver workplace mock-up
4.1Dashboard and cross-car beam4.2Centre console and storage4.3Door panels and armrests4.4Pillar and post trims4.5Headliner and sun visors4.6Floors, carpets and boot4.7Integration of HVAC and ducts4.8Airbag deployment zones4.9Wiring and electronics under the dashboard4.10Case study: console in a flat-floor electric vehicle
5.1Display reflections in the windscreen5.2Glare and viewing angles5.3Instrument obstruction by the steering wheel5.4Interior mirror and rear vision5.5Ambient lighting and night-time reflections5.6Head-up display and eyebox5.7Driver monitoring cameras5.8Reflection calculation by ray tracing5.9Visibility of tell-tales and indicators5.10Practical: reflection study of a central display
6.1Habitability of the rear seats6.2Boot volume according to ISO 38326.3Folding seats and configurations6.4Access to the third row6.5Storage and stowage compartments6.6ISOFIX anchorages and child seats6.7Adaptations for reduced mobility6.8Load spaces in vans6.9Modular interiors for autonomous driving6.10Workshop: boot measurement with standardised blocks
7.1Interior fittings according to UNECE 217.2FMVSS 201 head impact zones7.3Minimum radii and interior projections7.4Knee airbags and occupant position7.5Seat-belt anchorages according to UNECE 147.6Luggage retention according to UNECE 177.7Material flammability FMVSS 3027.8Volatile organic compound emissions7.9ISOFIX anchorages according to UNECE 1457.10Case study: dashboard verification against R21
8.1Mental workload and driver distraction8.2NHTSA visual distraction guidelines8.3Principles of the European Statement of Principles on HMI8.4Eyes-off-road time8.5Physical versus touch controls8.6Voice interaction in the cabin8.7ISO 16673 visual occlusion method8.8Evaluation in a driving simulator8.9Accessibility for older users8.10Practical: measurement of glance times
9.1Thermal comfort in vehicles according to ISO 145059.2Air distribution in the cabin9.3Heated and radiant surfaces9.4Interior noise and speech intelligibility9.5Whole-body vibration ISO 2631-19.6Static seat comfort9.7Odour and interior air quality9.8Perceived quality and tactile feel9.9Subjective evaluation with panels9.10Lab: test with a thermal manikin
10.1Adjustable ergonomic mock-ups or seating bucks10.2Clinics with representative users10.3Virtual and mixed reality10.4Motion capture for ingress and egress10.5Reach and vision simulation10.6Design of ergonomic experiments10.7Statistics of clinic results10.8Traceability of ergonomic requirements10.9Reports for programme committees10.10Case study: ingress and egress clinic
11.1Autonomous vehicle interiors11.2Swivel seats and lounge configuration11.3Extendable and rollable displays11.4Flat floors on electric platforms11.5Shared mobility and robotaxis11.6Cabins of electric commercial vehicles11.7Sustainability of interior materials11.8Personalisation and over-the-air updates11.9Hygiene and cleaning requirements11.10Workshop: interior concept for a robotaxi
12.1Definition of user and segment12.2Ergonomic and regulatory requirements12.3Occupant packaging and dimensions12.4Architecture of the proposed interior12.5Visibility and reach studies12.6Validation with a mock-up or virtual reality12.7Analysis of ergonomic results12.8Conclusions and design recommendations12.9Master's Thesis 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 the programme is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CATIA V5, RAMSIS, Tecnomatix Jack and Autodesk VRED, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: user clinics with adjustable mock-ups, reach and visibility studies with digital manikins and comfort tests with a thermal manikin. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SAE J1100, SAE J826, ISO 7250-1, UNECE Regulation No. 21, FMVSS 201, SAE J287, ISO 3832, ISO 2631-1.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 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 CATIA V5, RAMSIS, Tecnomatix Jack and Autodesk VRED, 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 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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