Postgraduate Diploma in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting. 8 modules with the Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships (Res. MSC.337(91)), ISO 2923 (measurement of airborne noise and vibration on board ships) and Rhinoceros 3D. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting — studying from South Africa
South Africa's coastline and ports make maritime engineering important, with the Port of Durban, the Port of Cape Town and the Port of Ngqura serving major trade flows. The South African Navy and Armscor support naval procurement, and shipbuilding and repair businesses operate along the coast. Offshore energy and marine services create additional demand, and the sports nautical sector serves recreational boating. The South African Maritime Safety Authority regulates shipping and marine safety.
Fees for South Africa: R 20 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any South African body. Marine and offshore work may involve bodies such as the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and ECSA for engineering registration. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this with them directly.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in naval and offshore industries?
Shipyards, offshore energy firms and marine design consultancies look mainly for certified competence, relevant experience and regulatory knowledge. A private qualification may complement these but will not replace formal certification. Its usefulness depends on each employer's assessment, so ask prospective employers how they would weigh it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You receive an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Confirm time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM before committing.
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
Analyse the aesthetic and technical criteria of luxury yacht interior design.
Select premium materials that comply with fire and weight requirements on board.
Plan the manufacture and installation of interiors coordinated with construction.
Assess noise and vibration levels in accordance with applicable regulations.
Design integrated acoustic insulation and conditioning solutions.
Design architectural lighting and its control and scene systems.
Develop a premium interior project with a supporting technical report.
Who it's for
- Yacht interior designer wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Naval acoustics engineer wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Lighting designer wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Marine interior design project manager wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Finishing materials technician wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Interior refit manager wishing to specialise in Premium Materials, Acoustics and Lighting.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter superyacht shipyards.
What you'll work with
- Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships (Res. MSC.337(91))
- ISO 2923 (measurement of noise on board ships)
- FTP Code 2010 (fire exposure tests)
- ISO 6954 (vibration and comfort on board)
- EN 12464-1 (lighting of indoor work places)
- REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006
- REG Yacht Code
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Design language in superyachts1.2Interior design process and stakeholders1.3Weight, space and stability constraints1.4Applicable regulations: REG Yacht Code1.5Class requirements for interiors1.6Budgets and finishes in luxury projects1.7Coordination with shipyard and owner1.8Mock-ups, samples and approvals1.9Managing owner changes1.10Practice: analysis of a 50 m superyacht interior
2.1Fine woods, veneers and treatments2.2Natural stones and lightweight alternatives2.3Leathers, textiles and technical upholstery2.4Metals: brass, bronze and PVD finishes2.5Lacquers, varnishes and high-gloss finishes2.6Lightweight sandwich panels for furniture2.7Behaviour under humidity and vibration2.8Fire reaction according to the FTP Code2.9Durability and maintenance on board2.10Workshop: material selection for a main saloon
3.1Interior joinery for yachts3.2Floating and decoupled panel mounting3.3Hull tolerances and deformations3.4Fixings and mounting systems3.5Sealing and expansion joints3.6Installation sequence in the shipyard3.7Site protection during works3.8Quality control and snagging lists3.9Repairs and final touch-ups3.10Case study: installation plan for an owner's cabin
4.1Noise sources: engines, propellers and HVAC4.2Airborne and structure-borne transmission4.3ISO 20283 comfort criteria and class rules4.4DNV COMF comfort notations4.5Insulation with absorbent materials4.6Resilient mounts and floating floors4.7Vibration control in structures4.8Acoustic doors, windows and seals4.9Acoustic measurements during sea trials4.10Laboratory: noise prediction in a cabin
5.1SEA statistical prediction models5.2Acoustic zoning of the vessel5.3Engine room treatments5.4Exhaust and ventilation silencers5.5Noise from hotel equipment5.6Acoustics of cinemas and music rooms5.7External noise at anchor5.8Contractual comfort requirements5.9Verification and correction on site5.10Practice: acoustic treatment of an on-board cinema
6.1Fundamentals of lighting engineering6.2Colour temperature and colour rendering index6.3General, accent and decorative lighting6.4Marine LED luminaires and heat dissipation6.5Indirect lighting and integrated profiles6.6Exterior and deck lighting6.7Underwater hull and swim platform lighting6.8Emergency lighting according to SOLAS6.9Interference with night navigation6.10Workshop: lighting design of a saloon with DIALux
7.1DALI and KNX control systems7.2Lighting scenes and ambiences7.3Integration with the yacht's home automation7.4Dynamic and circadian lighting7.5Curtain and blackout control7.6Integration with audio and video7.7User interfaces for owners and crew7.8Energy consumption and efficiency7.9Maintenance of control systems7.10Case study: programming scenes in a suite
8.1Definition of concept and spaces8.2Material selection8.3Acoustic design of key areas8.4Lighting project8.5Ambience control system8.6Weight and cost estimation8.7Manufacturing and installation plan8.8Final verification plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Rhinoceros 3D, DIALux evo, ODEON, AutoCAD, V-Ray, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real acoustic measurement procedures in cabins and saloons, lighting simulation of interior spaces, and the selection and testing of material samples. Assessment is continuous across each 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.
Analyse the aesthetic and technical criteria of luxury yacht interior design.
Select premium materials that comply with fire and weight requirements on board.
Plan the manufacture and installation of interiors coordinated with construction.
Assess noise and vibration levels in accordance with applicable regulations.
Design integrated acoustic insulation and conditioning solutions.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of between 10 and 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses Rhinoceros 3D, DIALux evo, ODEON, AutoCAD and V-Ray. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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