Master’s in Human Factors & HMI Engineering for UAM
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in human factors and HMI engineering for UAM, structured in 12 modules covering aviation human factors, UAM specifics, cockpit ergonomics, display design, automation and autonomy, remote fleet supervision, workload assessment, simulation, training, passenger experience and human factors certification, 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
Understand the principles of human factors in aviation.
Analyse the human-related specifics of UAM operations.
Design ergonomic cockpits and displays for eVTOL aircraft.
Define user-centred automation strategies.
Assess workload using subjective and physiological methods.
Prototype and validate interfaces through simulation.
Prepare compliance with human factors requirements.
Who it's for
- Human factors specialists moving into urban air mobility.
- Aeronautical HMI designers working on eVTOL cockpits and ground stations.
- Cockpit certification engineers preparing SC-VTOL and CS-25.1302 compliance.
- Researchers in human–automation interaction.
- Passenger experience designers in air mobility.
- Simulator instructors.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter urban air mobility.
What you'll work with
- CS-25.1302 (EASA installed systems and equipment for use by the flight crew)
- Special Condition SC-VTOL (EASA requirements for VTOL aircraft)
- 14 CFR §25.1302 (FAA flight crew systems requirements)
- SAE ARP4102 (flight deck panels, controls and displays)
- SAE ARP5289 (electronic aeronautical symbols)
- ISO 9241-210 (human-centred design for interactive systems)
- ISO 9241-11 (usability definitions and concepts)
- ICAO Doc 10151 (Manual on Human Performance)
- MATLAB
- Unity
- Tobii Pro Lab
- Figma
- X-Plane
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1SHELL interaction model1.2Reason's Swiss cheese model1.3Human performance and limitations1.4Perception and attention1.5Memory and decision-making1.6Mental workload1.7Situational awareness and its levels1.8Fatigue and circadian rhythms1.9Human error: HFACS taxonomy1.10Case study: HFACS analysis of a helicopter accident
2.1Single-pilot operations in air taxis2.2Passengers with no aviation experience2.3Dense urban environment2.4High flight frequency2.5Transition between flight modes2.6Remote piloting and supervision2.7Progressive automation of piloting2.8Management of multiple vehicles2.9Interaction with U-space controllers2.10Workshop: task analysis of an air taxi pilot
3.1Anthropometry and reach3.2External visibility from the cockpit3.3Control layout3.4Inceptors: sidestick and unified controls3.5Seats and restraint3.6Cockpit environmental conditions3.7Passenger accessibility3.8Cockpit lighting3.9SC-VTOL cockpit requirements3.10Practical exercise: ergonomic assessment of a cockpit mock-up
4.1Display design principles4.2Simplified primary flight display4.3Synthetic vision for urban environments4.4Head-up displays and augmented reality4.5Energy and battery representation4.6Alerts and warning hierarchy4.7Certifiable touch interfaces4.8Colour and symbology4.9SAE standards for displays4.10Lab: PFD prototype for an eVTOL
5.1Levels of automation5.2Simplified vehicle operations5.3Automation surprises and mode confusion5.4Surprise and startle5.5Human–autonomy interaction5.6Trust in automation5.7Transfer of control5.8Supervision of autonomous vehicles5.9AI explainability5.10Case study: design of autonomy modes and transitions
6.1Ground control stations6.2Vehicle-to-operator ratio6.3Latency and link loss6.4Presentation of fleet information6.5Exception management6.6Alarm design6.7Workload in multi-vehicle supervision6.8Teamwork in control centres6.9Shifts and fatigue6.10Practical exercise: design of a multi-vehicle supervision interface
7.1NASA-TLX workload questionnaire7.2Bedford and Cooper-Harper scales7.3Physiological measures: EEG and eye tracking7.4Heart rate variability7.5Performance measures7.6Experimental study design7.7Statistics applied to human factors7.8Ethics in trials with human participants7.9Analysis of results7.10Lab: NASA-TLX study in a simulator
8.1Research simulators8.2Virtual and augmented reality8.3Rapid HMI prototyping8.4Human-in-the-loop trials8.5User-centred design8.6Design iteration8.7Usability testing8.8SUS usability scale8.9Prototyping tools8.10Practical exercise: usability test of an HMI in virtual reality
9.1Pilot licences for VCA9.2Competency-based training9.3Simulator training9.4Training for remote operations9.5CRM and TEM9.6Competency assessment9.7Abnormal procedures training9.8Recurrent training and checks9.9Instructors and examiners9.10Case study: eVTOL pilot training programme
10.1Passenger anxiety and trust10.2Communication with passengers10.3Safety instructions10.4Universal accessibility for passengers10.5Vibroacoustic comfort in the cabin10.6The experience without a pilot on board10.7Emergency management with passengers10.8Passenger cabin design10.9Acceptance research10.10Workshop: design of the boarding experience
11.1CS-25.1302 as a reference11.2HF requirements in SC-VTOL11.3HF certification plan11.4Design evaluations11.5Error analysis11.6Tests with pilots11.7Compliance documentation11.8Integration with the safety assessment11.9Certification lessons learned11.10Case study: HF compliance plan for an eVTOL
12.1Definition of the HF problem12.2Task analysis12.3Interface requirements12.4HMI conceptual design12.5Interface prototyping12.6User evaluation12.7Workload analysis12.8Compliance proposal12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Unity, Tobii Pro Lab, Figma and X-Plane, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: workload studies in a simulator, interface usability tests and cockpit prototypes in virtual reality. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: CS-25.1302 (EASA), Special Condition SC-VTOL (EASA), 14 CFR §25.1302 (FAA), SAE ARP4102, SAE ARP5289, ISO 9241-210, ISO 9241-11, ICAO Doc 10151 Manual on Human Performance.
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
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's 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 MATLAB, Unity, Tobii Pro Lab, Figma and X-Plane, 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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