Master’s in Interior Vehicle Design & Packaging
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in interior vehicle design and packaging: H-points, H30/ECE, control layout and reach envelopes. 12 modules covering vehicle packaging, ergonomics and reach, the driver's workplace, interior components, CMF, cabin comfort, new configurations, interior safety regulations and industrialisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Interior Vehicle Design & Packaging — studying from Malta
Product and interface design in Malta is closely tied to the island's digital economy, where software companies, gaming studios and online service providers require skilled designers. Human-machine interface work is relevant to aviation, maritime and industrial clients who need clear and safe control systems. Engineers and designers often collaborate with multinational teams, so fluency in English and familiarity with international design standards are advantageous. The sector values practical experience in user research, prototyping and usability testing.
Fees for Malta: €6,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is there a professional body in Malta that regulates design, HMI or product roles?
Design and HMI are not regulated professions in Malta, so there is no licensing title. Professional networks and associations may offer membership, but these are not statutory. SEIUM qualifications are private, not state degrees and not accredited by a national body, so employers judge them according to the portfolio and experience you bring.
Which employers in Malta hire designers with HMI and product skills?
Demand comes from software and app developers, gaming and digital firms, financial services, and product companies, many of which serve international markets. Hiring tends to focus on portfolios and user-research experience. A private qualification can complement a strong portfolio but is unlikely to replace it.
Can I study this alongside a job, and what should I know about language and support?
Yes. Courses are fully online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You can study from Malta without a student visa. Choose between 300-hour specialist courses and longer diplomas or master's programmes depending on your time. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship.
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 the vehicle package and its reference points.
Apply ergonomics and reach and visibility criteria.
Design the driver's workplace and interior components.
Develop colour, material and finish strategies.
Conceive interiors for autonomous and shared vehicles.
Comply with cabin safety regulations.
Validate interiors and prepare their industrialisation.
Who it's for
- Vehicle interior designers.
- Packaging engineers.
- Ergonomics engineers.
- CMF designers.
- Interior component engineers.
- Digital interior modellers.
- 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 4040 (location of hand controls and indicators)
- UN Regulation No. 21 (interior fittings)
- UN Regulation No. 125 (driver's forward field of vision)
- UN Regulation No. 17 (seats and head restraints)
- FMVSS 302 (flammability of interior materials)
- ISO 12214 (direction-of-motion stereotypes for controls)
- CATIA V5
- RAMSIS
- Autodesk Alias
- Autodesk VRED
- Adobe Photoshop
12 modules
1.1Evolution of the car interior1.2The interior as an experience space1.3Cabin architecture1.4Zones: driver, passenger and cargo1.5Perceived quality1.6Trends in electric and autonomous vehicles1.7Interior design process1.8Relationship with engineering and packaging1.9Interior benchmarks1.10Case study: interior analysis across three segments
2.1Hard points and reference points2.2Platforms and architectures2.3Underfloor battery and height2.4H-point, SgRP and driver position2.5Occupant layout2.6Boot volume2.7Accessibility and ingress-egress2.8SAE J1100 dimensions2.9Packaging trade-offs2.10Lab: package drawing of a compact electric car
3.1RAMSIS digital manikins3.2Reach zones ISO 40403.3Direct and indirect visibility3.4Driver's field of view3.5Location of controls3.6Head and knee room3.7Ergonomics for older people3.8Inclusive design3.9Validation with mock-ups3.10Practical exercise: reach analysis with RAMSIS
4.1Steering wheel and column4.2Pedals and footrest4.3Instrument cluster4.4Central displays4.5Head-up display4.6Physical and touch controls4.7Distraction and visual load4.8Control illumination4.9Integration of ADAS into the workplace4.10Workshop: driver's workplace layout
5.1Instrument panel and structure5.2Centre console5.3Door panels5.4Seats and their integration5.5Headliner and pillar trims5.6Carpets and boot5.7Storage and stowage5.8Fastening elements5.9Airbag integration5.10Practical exercise: modular console concept
6.1CMF strategy6.2Plastics, textiles and leather6.3Sustainable materials6.4Textures and grains6.5Metallic and wood finishes6.6Contrast and perception6.7Ageing and wear6.8Emissions and odour6.9Cost of finishes6.10Lab: CMF palette for a sustainable interior
7.1Ambient lighting7.2Acoustic comfort7.3Thermal comfort7.4Climate control and vents7.5Indoor air quality7.6Heated surfaces7.7Perception of spaciousness7.8Panoramic roofs7.9Wellbeing and health7.10Case study: ambient lighting scenes
8.1Interiors for autonomous vehicles8.2Swivelling and sliding seats8.3Multifunctional spaces8.4Delivery and commercial vehicles8.5Interiors for shared mobility8.6Hygiene and cleaning8.7Personalisation8.8Interiors for robotaxis8.9Safety in new configurations8.10Practical exercise: lounge interior concept
9.1Interior fittings UN Regulation 219.2Head impact9.3Seat strength9.4Restraint and seat belts9.5Material flammability9.6Visibility and UN Regulation 1259.7Requirements for controls and tell-tales9.8Euro NCAP for interiors9.9Accessibility for people with reduced mobility9.10Workshop: regulatory review of an instrument panel
10.1Interior sketching10.2Modelling in Alias10.3CATIA for packaging10.4Visualisation with VRED10.5Virtual reality for reviews10.6Physical mock-ups and seating bucks10.7Ergonomics simulation10.8Rapid prototyping10.9Design–engineering data flow10.10Lab: VR review of an interior
11.1Interior suppliers11.2Cost and weight targets11.3Feasibility of moulding and trimming11.4Gaps, flush and quality11.5Durability tests11.6BSR noise (buzz, squeak and rattle)11.7Variant management11.8Industrialisation of interiors11.9Lessons learned11.10Case study: cost reduction on a door panel
12.1Briefing and target user12.2Vehicle package12.3Interior concept12.4Ergonomics and reach12.5CMF proposal12.6Digital modelling12.7Validation with mock-up or VR12.8Feasibility and costs12.9Thesis 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 you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is CATIA V5, RAMSIS, Autodesk Alias, Autodesk VRED and Adobe Photoshop, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for seating buck evaluations, virtual reality reviews and reach and visibility analyses. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SAE J1100, SAE J826, ISO 4040, UN Regulation No. 21, UN Regulation No. 125, UN Regulation No. 17, FMVSS 302, ISO 12214.
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 able to run 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, Autodesk Alias, Autodesk VRED and Adobe Photoshop, 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 demonstrable 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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