Diploma in Human-Machine Interfaces on the Ship’s Bridge
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in human-machine interfaces on the ship's bridge. 8 modules covering the bridge, maritime human factors, display systems, interface design, automation and autonomy, evaluation and validation, and regulations, cybersecurity and ethics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Human-Machine Interfaces on the Ship’s Bridge — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom maintains a substantial defence industry, with prime contractors such as BAE Systems and Babcock, and a wide supply chain across the Midlands, the North West, Bristol and Scotland. Land systems, armoured vehicles, munitions and military engineering programmes provide long-term employment for engineers in design, integration, test and sustainment. The Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory oversee procurement and research. Security clearance requirements shape recruitment, and professional standards are maintained through UK defence engineering frameworks.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £746 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies and regulators are relevant to defence and military land systems engineering?
In the UK, the Ministry of Defence sets its own engineering standards and the Engineering Council regulates professional registration. Professional bodies such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Engineers' professional structures are relevant. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition for security-cleared or MOD roles is decided by the employer and the relevant authority.
Will a private qualification help with UK defence industry careers?
UK defence employers, including primes and suppliers, often prioritise security clearance eligibility, relevant experience and formal qualifications recognised by the MOD or industry bodies. A private qualification may support your profile but is unlikely to replace these requirements. Ask prospective employers how they would assess it before enrolling.
Is it practical to study this online while working in the UK, and what about language and funding?
Online study means you can continue working in the UK, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so good technical English is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers offer training sponsorship, though policies vary. Each programme has a fixed number of hours and an assigned technical tutor. Confirm the workload and costs 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
Understand the architecture of integrated bridges.
Apply human factors to bridge work.
Configure navigation display systems.
Design interfaces in line with IMO guidelines.
Evaluate automation and remote control.
Validate interfaces in simulators with crews.
Apply regulations, cybersecurity and ethical criteria.
Who it's for
- Maritime interface designers.
- Human factors specialists.
- Navigation systems engineers.
- Bridge officers with an interest in equipment design.
- Maritime safety consultants.
- Simulator instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the naval sector.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62288 (presentation of navigation information)
- IEC 61924-2 (integrated navigation systems)
- SOLAS Convention, Chapter V (safety of navigation)
- IMO Resolution MSC.252(83) (integrated navigation systems)
- IMO Resolution MSC.302(87) (bridge alert management)
- STCW Convention (training and watchkeeping)
- IMO S-Mode Guidelines MSC.1/Circ.1609 (standardised navigation display modes)
- Kongsberg K-Sim
- Wärtsilä NTPRO
- Figma
- Tobii Pro Lab
- OpenCPN
8 modules
1.1Evolution of the ship's bridge1.2Integrated bridge system (IBS)1.3Integrated navigation system (INS)1.4Navigation and steering functions1.5Combat information centre1.6Bridges on merchant and naval vessels1.7Reduced crews1.8Accidents and human factors1.9IMO regulations1.10Case study: analysis of the USS Fitzgerald collision
2.1Bridge ergonomics2.2Workload of the officer of the watch2.3Fatigue and watch rotations2.4Situational awareness2.5Bridge resource management2.6Communication and coordination2.7Decision-making2.8STCW training2.9Safety culture2.10Workshop: watchkeeping workload analysis
3.1ECDIS and electronic charts3.2Radar and ARPA3.3AIS3.4Multifunction displays3.5Bridge alert management systems (BAMS)3.6Presentation of platform information3.7Ship guidance3.8Meteorological sensors3.9Camera integration3.10Practical exercise: configuring ECDIS layers
4.1User-centred design4.2IMO S-Mode design guidelines4.3Symbology and colours4.4Night vision and dimming4.5Physical knobs and controls4.6Touchscreens at sea4.7Information architecture4.8Rapid prototyping4.9Accessibility4.10Lab: prototype of a navigation display
5.1Autopilots and steering5.2Automated collision avoidance5.3COLREGs and algorithms5.4Autonomous and remotely controlled ships5.5Shore-based control centres5.6Control transitions5.7Trust in automation5.8IMO MASS Code5.9The master's responsibility5.10Case study: interface for a remote control centre
6.1Bridge simulators6.2Evaluation scenarios6.3Performance measures6.4Eye tracking6.5Usability questionnaires6.6Alarm evaluation6.7Validation with crews6.8Design iteration6.9Documentation6.10Practical exercise: evaluation in a bridge simulator
7.1SOLAS Chapter V7.2MSC.252 guidelines on integrated systems7.3IEC 62288 on presentation7.4IEC 61924-2 on integrated systems7.5Maritime cybersecurity MSC-FAL.1/Circ.37.6Classification society requirements7.7Military habitability standards7.8Ethics of automation7.9Shared responsibility7.10Case study: compliance audit of a bridge
8.1Analysis of the vessel8.2Task analysis8.3Interface requirements8.4Conceptual design8.5Prototype8.6Simulator evaluation8.7Regulatory analysis8.8Conclusions8.9Report 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. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Kongsberg K-Sim, Wärtsilä NTPRO, Figma, Tobii Pro Lab and OpenCPN, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for bridge simulator evaluations, navigation interface prototyping and workload analysis. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 62288, IEC 61924-2, SOLAS Chapter V, IMO Resolution MSC.252(83), IMO Resolution MSC.302(87), STCW Convention, IMO S-Mode Guidelines MSC.1/Circ.1609.
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 Kongsberg K-Sim, Wärtsilä NTPRO, Figma, Tobii Pro Lab and OpenCPN, 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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