Master’s in Lighting Engineering & Perception
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in lighting and perception engineering, structured in 12 modules covering human vision, photometry and colorimetry, colour perception, glare and visual comfort, non-visual effects of light, lighting technology, interior lighting design, vehicle lighting, lighting simulation, applied perceptual research and sustainability, with an assigned technical tutor.
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 how human vision works under different lighting conditions.
Measure photometric, colorimetric and melanopic quantities.
Evaluate glare, flicker and visual comfort.
Apply the non-visual effects of light to the design of spaces.
Design interior and product lighting in accordance with EN 12464-1.
Simulate and validate lighting proposals with professional tools.
Plan perceptual studies with statistical and ethical rigour.
Who it's for
- Lighting designers.
- Lighting engineers.
- Researchers in visual perception.
- Photometry and metrology specialists.
- Human-centric lighting consultants.
- Luminaire product engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter architectural lighting.
What you'll work with
- EN 12464-1:2021 (lighting of indoor work places)
- CIE S 026/E:2018 (metrology for ipRGC-influenced responses to light)
- IEC 62471:2006 (photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems)
- EN 17037:2018 (daylight in buildings)
- EN 15193-1:2017 (energy requirements for lighting)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 (ecodesign requirements for light sources)
- ANSI/IES TM-30-20 (method for evaluating light source colour rendition)
- UNECE Regulation No 149 (road illumination devices for vehicles)
- DIALux evo
- Relux
- Ansys Speos
- Radiance
- LMK LabSoft
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Anatomy of the eye and photoreceptors1.2Photopic, mesopic and scotopic vision1.3Luminous efficiency function V(λ)1.4Light and dark adaptation1.5Spatial contrast sensitivity1.6Visual acuity and age1.7Eye movements and fixations1.8ipRGC ganglion cells1.9Peripheral vision and motion detection1.10Laboratory: measurement of contrast sensitivity
2.1Flux, intensity, illuminance and luminance2.2Goniophotometry and IES and LDT files2.3CIE 1931 and CIELAB colour spaces2.4Correlated colour temperature2.5Colour rendering Ra and TM-302.6Melanopic metrics under CIE S 0262.7Spectroradiometry and spectral measurement2.8Uncertainty in photometric measurement2.9Calibration of luminance meters and spectrometers2.10Practical exercise: spectral characterisation of LED sources
3.1Colour constancy and chromatic adaptation3.2CIECAM02 and CAM16 appearance models3.3The Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect on brightness3.4Illuminant and observer metamerism3.5Perception of light quality3.6Emotional associations of colour and light3.7Cultural differences in lighting preference3.8Colour vision deficiencies3.9Colour difference ΔE20003.10Workshop: evaluation of metamerism in a light booth
4.1Disability glare and veiling luminance4.2Discomfort glare and the De Boer scale4.3UGR index for interiors4.4Headlamp glare in night-time driving4.5Flicker and stroboscopic effect: PstLM and SVM4.6Visual fatigue in prolonged tasks4.7Luminance of displays and surroundings4.8Luminance ratios in the visual field4.9Glare in older users4.10Practical exercise: UGR calculation in an office
5.1The circadian system and the suprachiasmatic nucleus5.2Melatonin suppression by light5.3Acute effects on alertness and performance5.4Integrative human-centric lighting5.5Lighting for shift work5.6Blue light hazard and myths5.7Photobiological safety under IEC 624715.8Daily exposure recommendations5.9Quality of the scientific evidence5.10Case study: circadian lighting in a hospital
6.1LED physics and phosphor conversion6.2OLED and surface sources6.3Laser sources and remote phosphor conversion6.4Drivers, dimming and power factor6.5Thermal management and L70 lifetime6.6Lenses, reflectors and light guides6.7Micro-optics and diffusers6.8DALI-2 control and wireless protocols6.9Lumen maintenance under LM-806.10Laboratory: luminaire measurement on a goniophotometer
7.1EN 12464-1 requirements by task7.2Layers of general, task and accent lighting7.3Daylight in buildings under EN 170377.4Visual hierarchy and modelling7.5Lighting for offices and work environments7.6Retail lighting and product perception7.7Museums and preventive conservation7.8Hospital and healthcare lighting7.9Energy efficiency and LENI under EN 15193-17.10Workshop: lighting project for an office in DIALux
8.1Adaptive headlamps and LED matrix8.2Driver perception in night-time driving8.3Pedestrian visibility with dipped beam8.4Light signature and brand recognition8.5Interior ambient lighting and spatial perception8.6Displays and reflections in the cabin8.7External communication light signals8.8UNECE 149 photometric requirements8.9Rear lamps and reaction time8.10Practical exercise: perceptual study of light signatures
9.1Illuminance calculation by radiosity9.2Spectral ray tracing9.3Physically based rendering9.4HDR photography and luminance maps9.5Calibrated luminance cameras9.6Virtual reality for lighting studies9.7Validating simulation against measurement9.8Comparison of DIALux, Relux and Speos9.9Visual communication of lighting proposals9.10Laboratory: luminance map with an HDR camera
10.1Classical and adaptive psychophysical methods10.2Magnitude and category scales10.3Experimental design for lighting studies10.4Statistical analysis with mixed models10.5Light booths and test rooms10.6Field studies with users10.7Ethics and informed consent10.8Eye tracking in lit environments10.9Physiological measures of response to light10.10Case study: colour temperature preference experiment
11.1Ecodesign under Regulation (EU) 2019/202011.2Energy labelling under Regulation (EU) 2019/201511.3Repairable and circular luminaires11.4Life cycle assessment of luminaires11.5Lighting criteria in WELL and LEED11.6Light pollution and the night sky11.7CE marking and applicable directives11.8Green public procurement of lighting11.9WEEE waste management11.10Workshop: life cycle assessment of a luminaire
12.1Defining the perceptual problem12.2Review of the scientific literature12.3Design of the study or project12.4Photometric and spectral measurements12.5Simulation and lighting prototype12.6Perceptual study with users12.7Analysis of the results obtained12.8Lighting design recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIALux evo, Relux, Ansys Speos, Radiance and LMK LabSoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: psychophysical experiments in a light booth, measurements with a goniophotometer and spectroradiometer, and luminance maps with an HDR camera. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 12464-1:2021, CIE S 026/E:2018, IEC 62471:2006, EN 17037:2018, EN 15193-1:2017, Regulation (EU) 2019/2020, ANSI/IES TM-30-20 and UNECE Regulation No 149.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DIALux evo, Relux, Ansys Speos, Radiance and LMK LabSoft, 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 Master's Thesis. 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 in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), 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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