Diploma in Stabilisation and Heading Control Systems
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Stabilisation and Heading Control Systems. 8 modules covering ship dynamics, seakeeping, roll stabilisation, heading control (ISO 11674), track control and positioning (IEC 62065), sensors, actuators and integration and verification and sea trials, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Stabilisation and Heading Control Systems — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,090 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
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 ship manoeuvring dynamics and seakeeping behaviour.
Model roll and motions in waves.
Design active and passive stabilisation systems.
Develop heading and track autopilots.
Integrate navigation sensors and actuators.
Assess comfort and operability.
Verify systems through simulation and sea trials.
Who it's for
- Naval control engineers.
- Seakeeping engineers.
- Navigation systems engineers.
- Ship dynamics engineers.
- Marine automation engineers.
- Sea trials engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter naval defence.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11674 (heading control systems)
- IEC 62065 (track control systems)
- ISO 16329 (heading control systems for high-speed craft)
- ISO 2631-1 (human exposure to whole-body vibration)
- IEC 61162 (maritime navigation equipment interfaces)
- IMO 2008 IS Code (intact stability)
- STANAG 4154 (common procedures for seakeeping assessment)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Marine Systems Simulator (MSS)
- ShipX
- OrcaFlex
- ANSYS AQWA
8 modules
1.1Ship degrees of freedom1.2Equations of motion1.3Hydrodynamic forces1.4Manoeuvring models1.5Hydrodynamic derivatives1.6Rudders and propulsors1.7Effects of wind and current1.8Manoeuvring trials1.9Model identification1.10Practical exercise: turning circle manoeuvre simulation
2.1Wave spectra2.2Motion transfer functions (RAOs)2.3Roll motions2.4Parametric roll2.5Accelerations and motion sickness2.6Operability criteria (STANAG 4154)2.7Comfort according to ISO 2631-12.8Operability calculation2.9Wave load calculation methods2.10Lab: transfer functions with ShipX
3.1Bilge keels3.2Anti-roll tanks3.3Stabiliser fins3.4Rudder roll stabilisation3.5Gyroscopic stabilisers3.6Zero-speed stabilisation3.7Fin control3.8Comparison of systems3.9Effects on resistance3.10Practical exercise: simulation of fin stabilisers in irregular waves
4.1Heading autopilots4.2ISO 11674 requirements4.3Adaptive PID control4.4Optimal control4.5Robust control4.6Wave filtering4.7Rudder saturation4.8High-speed craft (ISO 16329)4.9Tuning during trials4.10Lab: design of a heading autopilot
5.1Track control systems (IEC 62065)5.2Line-of-sight guidance5.3Path following5.4Dynamic positioning5.5Thrust allocation5.6Integration with ECDIS5.7Automatic manoeuvres5.8Autonomous navigation5.9Supervision requirements5.10Case study: guidance along a track with crosswind
6.1Gyrocompasses6.2Motion reference units6.3GNSS and speed log6.4Steering gear servos6.5Fin actuators6.6IEC 61162 interfaces6.7Redundancy and degraded modes6.8Navigation alarms6.9Bridge cybersecurity6.10Practical exercise: sensor integration in simulation
7.1Real-time simulation7.2Hardware-in-the-loop7.3Towing tank tests7.4Stabilisation sea trials7.5Autopilot trials7.6Motion measurement7.7Analysis of results7.8Certification7.9System maintenance7.10Workshop: sea trials plan
8.1Ship definition8.2Dynamic model8.3Seakeeping analysis8.4Stabilisation design8.5Autopilot design8.6Integrated simulation8.7Test plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, Marine Systems Simulator (MSS), ShipX, OrcaFlex and ANSYS AQWA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: designing a heading autopilot, simulating fin stabilisers in irregular waves and assessing crew comfort. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 11674, IEC 62065, ISO 16329, ISO 2631-1, IEC 61162, IMO 2008 IS Code, STANAG 4154.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink, Marine Systems Simulator (MSS), ShipX, OrcaFlex and ANSYS AQWA, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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