Master’s in Seat Engineering, Thermal Comfort and Restraint Systems
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in seating, thermal comfort and restraint systems engineering: 12 modules covering seat architecture, static, dynamic and thermal comfort, impact biomechanics, seat belts, airbags, seat structural safety, child restraint, passive safety simulation and homologation testing under UNECE Regulations No. 16, No. 14 and No. 17, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Seat Engineering, Thermal Comfort and Restraint Systems — 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
Design seat architecture taking comfort, weight and cost into account.
Evaluate the static, dynamic and thermal comfort of the occupant.
Apply biomechanical injury criteria to restraint design.
Specify seat belts, airbags and child restraint systems.
Simulate crashes with virtual dummies and correlate them with tests.
Interpret homologation requirements and Euro NCAP protocols.
Develop restraint solutions for autonomous vehicle seats.
Who it's for
- Seat engineers at OEMs and suppliers.
- Restraint systems engineers.
- Passive safety engineers.
- Crash simulation specialists.
- Thermal comfort engineers.
- Test laboratory technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive industry.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No. 16 (safety belts and restraint systems)
- UNECE Regulation No. 14 (safety-belt anchorages)
- UNECE Regulation No. 17 (seats, their anchorages and head restraints)
- UNECE Regulation No. 129 (enhanced child restraint systems)
- UNECE Regulation No. 94 (frontal collision occupant protection)
- ISO 7730 (thermal comfort – PMV and PPD)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration evaluation)
- ISO 6487 (measurement techniques in impact tests – instrumentation)
- LS-DYNA
- Simcenter Madymo
- Oasys PRIMER
- THESEUS-FE
- XSENSOR
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Structure, frame and longitudinal rails1.2Recliner and adjustment mechanisms1.3Polyurethane foams and densities1.4Cushion suspension and springs1.5Upholstery and seat covers1.6Head restraints and their adjustment1.7Second- and third-row seats1.8Seat weight and cost1.9Suppliers and the supply chain1.10Workshop: teardown of a front seat
2.1Pressure distribution on the seat2.2Pressure maps and sensors2.3Posture and lumbar support2.4Dynamic comfort and transmissibility2.5Vibration according to ISO 2631-12.6Resonance frequencies of the human body2.7Fatigue on long journeys2.8Subjective evaluation methods2.9Pneumatic adjustment and massage functions2.10Lab: SEAT transmissibility test
3.1Thermal balance of the human body3.2PMV and PPD indices according to ISO 77303.3Equivalent temperature according to ISO 145053.4Thermal manikins and their instrumentation3.5Heated and ventilated seats3.6Radiant and contact heating3.7Local versus global climate control3.8Energy efficiency in electric vehicles3.9Berkeley thermal comfort model3.10Practical: cabin thermal comfort simulation
4.1Human tolerance to acceleration4.2HIC and Nij injury criteria4.3Whiplash neck injury4.4Thoracic injury and the deflection criterion4.5Hybrid III, THOR and WorldSID dummies4.6BioRID dummy for rear impact4.7THUMS finite-element human models4.8Vulnerable and elderly occupants4.9Out-of-position occupants4.10Case study: neck injury analysis
5.1Three-point seat belt and geometry5.2Pyrotechnic and electric pretensioners5.3Seat-belt load limiters5.4Strength of seat-belt anchorages UNECE 145.5Seat-belt homologation according to UNECE 165.6Seat-belt reminders5.7Upper anchorage position and webbing routing5.8Seat-integrated belts5.9Anchorage pull tests5.10Lab: bench test of anchorages
6.1Driver and passenger frontal airbags6.2Side and curtain airbags6.3Centre and knee airbags6.4Gas generators and inflation6.5Control unit and crash sensors6.6Occupant classification6.7Safety of pyrotechnic components6.8Airbags for rotated seats6.9Pre-crash preventive safety systems6.10Practical: deployment sequence in a frontal crash
7.1Seat strength according to UNECE 177.2Whiplash protection7.3Active and adaptive head restraints7.4Seat-to-floor anchorages7.5Retention of luggage from the boot7.6Anti-submarining and cushion ramps7.7Commercial vehicle seats7.8Euro NCAP rear-impact tests7.9Seat crash simulation7.10Case study: design of an anti-whiplash seat
8.1Child restraint systems UNECE 1298.2ISOFIX anchorages and top tether8.3Rearward-facing seats8.4Detection of children left behind8.5Euro NCAP child occupant protection protocol8.6Common installation errors8.7Passenger airbag deactivation8.8Booster seats and cushions8.9Compatibility between child seat and vehicle8.10Workshop: ISOFIX compatibility in three vehicles
9.1Finite elements with explicit integration9.2Dummy models in LS-DYNA9.3Particle-based airbag models9.4Modelling of belts and retractors9.5Calibration with sled tests9.6Optimisation of restraint systems9.7Sensitivity and robustness analysis9.8Simulation data management9.9Correlation between test and simulation9.10Lab: virtual sled with Hybrid III
10.1Sled and catapult tests10.2Frontal impact according to UNECE 9410.3Side impact according to UNECE 9510.4Instrumentation and data acquisition10.5Signal filtering according to ISO 648710.6Euro NCAP protocols and scoring10.7Homologation of seats and anchorages10.8Laboratory accreditation under ISO/IEC 1702510.9Writing test reports10.10Case study: interpreting a Euro NCAP report
11.1Swivel seats for autonomous driving11.2Restraint in the reclined position11.3Lightweight seats with composite materials11.4Sustainable and recyclable seats11.5Biometric sensors in the seat11.6Seats for reduced mobility11.7Bus and train seats11.8Aircraft seats and the 16 g test11.9Personalisation of settings by profile11.10Practical: restraint in a reclined seat
12.1System definition and requirements12.2State of the art and benchmarking12.3Seat and restraint concept12.4CAD modelling of the system12.5Comfort and crash simulation12.6Experimental validation plan12.7Iterative improvement based on results12.8Industrial feasibility and costs12.9Master'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 LS-DYNA, Simcenter Madymo, Oasys PRIMER, THESEUS-FE and XSENSOR, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: sled tests with instrumented dummies, seat pressure maps and transmissibility, and comfort tests with a thermal manikin. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UNECE Regulation No. 16, UNECE Regulation No. 14, UNECE Regulation No. 17, UNECE Regulation No. 129, UNECE Regulation No. 94, ISO 7730, ISO 2631-1, ISO 6487.
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 LS-DYNA, Simcenter Madymo, Oasys PRIMER, THESEUS-FE and XSENSOR, 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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