Diploma in Human Factors and Cabin UAM
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in human factors and the UAM cockpit. 8 modules covering aviation human factors, the UAM pilot, eVTOL cockpit design, automation, human factors evaluation and certification under CS 25.1302 and SC-VTOL-01, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Human Factors and Cabin UAM — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £1,490 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours before enrolling.
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
Apply human factors models to the analysis of flight operations.
Analyse the role of the pilot in urban air mobility operations.
Design eVTOL cockpits using ergonomic and cognitive criteria.
Evaluate the interaction between pilot and automation.
Measure workload and situational awareness in a simulator.
Plan human factors compliance for certification.
Design competency-based training programmes.
Who it's for
- Aviation human factors specialists moving into eVTOL and UAM.
- Flight deck designers.
- Human–automation interaction engineers.
- UAM pilot instructors.
- Cognitive ergonomics researchers.
- Cockpit certification engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join eVTOL companies.
What you'll work with
- CS 25.1302 (EASA) (installed systems and equipment for use by the flight crew)
- SC-VTOL-01 (EASA) (special condition for VTOL aircraft)
- ICAO Doc 9683 (Human Factors Training Manual)
- EASA Concept Paper: Guidance for Level 1 & 2 Machine Learning Applications (AI in aviation)
- FAA AC 25.1302-1 (flight crew system design guidance)
- ISO 9241-210 (human-centred design for interactive systems)
- SAE ARP5364 (human factors in multifunction cockpit displays)
- ISO 6385 (ergonomic principles in work system design)
- X-Plane
- Tobii Pro Lab
- NASA TLX App
- Figma
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1SHELL and Reason models1.2Human performance and limitations1.3Perception, attention and memory1.4Decision-making under pressure1.5Situational awareness1.6Mental workload1.7Fatigue and circadian rhythms1.8Human error and HFACS classification1.9Lessons from human-factors accidents1.10Case study: HFACS analysis of a helicopter accident
2.1Simplified piloting in eVTOL aircraft2.2Single pilot and high flight frequency2.3Transition to remote operation2.4Supervision of multiple aircraft2.5Automation and skill degradation2.6Adapted crew resource management2.7Licensing and training requirements2.8The UAM pilot profile2.9Interaction with passengers2.10Practical exercise: task analysis of a typical urban flight
3.1Layout of controls and inceptors3.2Unified and intuitive controls3.3Displays and visualisation3.4External view and field of vision3.5Alerts and priority management3.6Design for single-pilot operation3.7Accessibility and physical ergonomics3.8Lighting and legibility3.9CS 23 and SC-VTOL cockpit requirements3.10Workshop: sketching an eVTOL cockpit layout
4.1Levels of automation4.2Protected envelope and simplified fly-by-wire4.3Modes and mode confusion4.4Human–automation transfer of control4.5Trust in automation4.6Supervision of autonomous systems4.7AI assistance in the cockpit4.8EASA guidance on AI and human factors4.9Explainability of decisions4.10Practical exercise: mode analysis of a flight control system
5.1Cognitive task analysis5.2Workload measurement with NASA-TLX5.3SAGAT situational awareness scales5.4Eye tracking and physiology5.5Simulator evaluations5.6Usability testing5.7Design of experiments with pilots5.8Statistical analysis of results5.9Evidence-based design iteration5.10Lab: NASA-TLX evaluation in a simulator
6.1CS 25.1302 and its SC-VTOL equivalent6.2Human factors plan6.3Identification of foreseeable errors6.4Means of compliance6.5Evaluations with authority pilots6.6Interaction with the safety assessment6.7Documentation and traceability6.8Human factors in maintenance6.9Human factors in remote operations6.10Case study: human factors plan for certification
7.1Competency-based training7.2Simulators for eVTOL7.3Remote pilot training7.4Threat and error management7.5Normal and abnormal procedures7.6Electronic checklists7.7Operator fatigue management7.8Safety culture7.9Reporting systems7.10Workshop: UAM pilot training programme
8.1Definition of the operator and aircraft8.2Task analysis8.3Cockpit design proposal8.4Automation strategy8.5Planned experimental evaluation8.6Human factors compliance plan8.7Training programme8.8Human risk analysis8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is X-Plane, Tobii Pro Lab, NASA TLX App, Figma and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: workload evaluation in a flight simulator, task analysis of an eVTOL pilot and design of a human factors plan for certification. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: CS 25.1302 (EASA), SC-VTOL-01 (EASA), ICAO Doc 9683, EASA Concept Paper: Guidance for Level 1 & 2 Machine Learning Applications, FAA AC 25.1302-1, ISO 9241-210, SAE ARP5364, ISO 6385.
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. A university degree is not 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 X-Plane, Tobii Pro Lab, NASA TLX App, Figma and MATLAB, 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 programme 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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