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 South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 16 700 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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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