Postgraduate Diploma in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations. 8 modules covering ISO 11092 (thermal and water vapour resistance, sweating hot plate), ISO 15831 (thermal manikin) and CLO 3D. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations — studying from Malta
Malta's healthcare system relies on public hospitals alongside a growing private sector, creating demand for engineers in medical devices, clinical technology and facilities. The Medicines Authority and the Health Directorate set regulatory expectations that shape work on medical equipment. Biomechanics and wearable technology are emerging interests, particularly in rehabilitation, sports science and occupational safety. Professionals in this area often collaborate with clinicians, distributors and regulators to ensure devices meet national and European requirements.
Fees for Malta: €895 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is this programme recognised by a professional body in Malta for engineers working in health, biomechanics or wearables?
SEIUM Institute's qualifications are its own private qualifications. They are not official Maltese state degrees and are not accredited by any national body. In Malta, engineering titles are regulated through the Malta Council for Professions and the Chamber of Engineers, and medical devices fall under the Medicines Authority. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so check with them before enrolling.
Will employers in Malta value this training for roles in wearables or operational safety?
Employers in Malta's health technology, manufacturing and safety-related sectors decide for themselves how much weight to give a private online qualification. Many weigh practical experience and a final project heavily. SEIUM's programmes include a final project, but whether it helps your career in Malta depends on your employer's view. Speaking with prospective employers beforehand is the most reliable way to find out.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job in Malta, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Each student gets an assigned 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
Explain human thermophysiology and heat exchange mechanisms.
Characterise heat and moisture transfer through textiles.
Apply ergonomic criteria to the design of garments and wearables.
Interpret applicable textile and protective clothing standards.
Integrate heated elements and sensors into smart garments.
Experimentally evaluate comfort using a sweating hot plate and a thermal manikin.
Design a technical garment that balances protection and comfort.
Who it's for
- Textile engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Technical garment designer who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Product ergonomics specialist who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Thermal comfort laboratory technician who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Personal protective equipment engineer who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Smart textiles developer who wants to specialise in Thermal/Ergonomic Comfort and Textile Regulations.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter technical textiles.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11092 (thermal and water vapour resistance, sweating hot plate)
- ISO 15831 (thermal manikin)
- ISO 9920 (thermal insulation of clothing)
- ISO 7730 (thermal comfort)
- ISO 11079 (cold stress)
- EN 342 (protective clothing against cold)
- EN ISO 13688 (protective clothing, general requirements)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (personal protective equipment)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Thermal balance of the human body1.2Thermoregulation and sweating1.3Skin temperature and core temperature1.4The Fanger model and the PMV and PPD indices1.5Metabolic rate according to ISO 89961.6Clothing insulation in clo1.7Local thermal comfort and asymmetries1.8Thermal stress from heat and cold1.9Individual and activity differences1.10Practice: PMV calculation for different scenarios
2.1Thermal resistance Rct2.2Water vapour resistance Ret2.3Sweating hot plate ISO 110922.4Air permeability2.5Capillary moisture transport2.6Multilayer fabrics and barriers2.7Phase change materials2.8Effect of compression and wind2.9Thermal manikins ISO 158312.10Laboratory: interpreting sweating hot plate tests
3.1Anthropometry and databases3.2Body zones for device placement3.3Contact pressure and skin tolerance3.4Weight, distribution and inertia3.5Range of motion and restriction3.6Fit and sizing3.7Skin irritation and occlusion3.8Heat generated by electronics3.9Subjective assessment of comfort3.10Workshop: map of sensor placement zones
4.1European textile labelling regulation4.2OEKO-TEX Standard 1004.3REACH and restricted substances4.4Colour fastness tests4.5Dimensional stability to laundering4.6Protective clothing EN ISO 136884.7Protection against cold EN 3424.8Thermal protection EN ISO 116124.9High visibility EN ISO 204714.10Practice: regulatory plan for a technical garment
5.1Textile heating elements5.2Surface temperature control5.3Safety of heated garments5.4Textile temperature sensors5.5Active ventilation5.6Battery integration in garments5.7Electrical safety of heated garments5.8Skin contact temperature limits ISO 137325.9Durability of textile electronics5.10Case study: heated jacket for cold-weather work
6.1Trials with human subjects6.2Protocols and ethics committee6.3Measurement of skin temperature and humidity6.4Thermal perception scales ISO 105516.5Experimental design and randomisation6.6Statistical analysis of responses6.7Climatic chamber tests6.8Field trials6.9Integration of sensor data6.10Laboratory: designing a climatic chamber test
7.1User and environmental requirements7.2Selection of layers and materials7.3Pattern making and ergonomics7.4Rapid prototyping7.5Thermal simulation of garments7.6Sustainability and eco-design7.7Costs and production7.8Iterative evaluation7.9Labelling and documentation7.10Case study: uniform for hot-environment work
8.1User and task analysis8.2Thermal and ergonomic requirements8.3Material selection8.4Garment design8.5Regulatory test plan8.6Comfort trial with subjects8.7Analysis of results8.8Design conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final 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. No fixed timetable: 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 CLO 3D, MATLAB, Ansys Fluent, Python (NumPy), Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real sweating hot plate procedures, thermal manikins in climatic chambers and wear trials with volunteers. 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.
Explain human thermophysiology and heat exchange mechanisms.
Characterise heat and moisture transfer through textiles.
Apply ergonomic criteria to the design of garments and wearables.
Interpret applicable textile and protective clothing standards.
Integrate heated elements and sensors into smart garments.
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 level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, 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 works with CLO 3D, MATLAB, Ansys Fluent, Python (NumPy), Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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