Master’s in Inclusive Design and Universal Accessibility Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Inclusive Design and Universal Accessibility Engineering, with 12 modules covering disability and design, the regulatory framework, anthropometry, accessible buildings, urban spaces and transport, sensory, cognitive and digital accessibility, assistive products and accessibility management, 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
Apply the principles of universal design to environments, products and services.
Interpret Spanish and European accessibility regulations.
Design accessible built environments in line with DB-SUA.
Incorporate sensory and cognitive accessibility criteria.
Audit digital accessibility against WCAG and EN 301 549.
Manage accessibility plans in organisations.
Evaluate solutions with the participation of users with disabilities.
Who it's for
- Universal accessibility consultants.
- Building accessibility technicians.
- Digital accessibility auditors.
- Inclusive product designers.
- Local authority accessibility officers.
- Cognitive accessibility specialists.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into building and urban planning.
What you'll work with
- Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013 (General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Spain)
- Directive (EU) 2019/882 (accessibility requirements for products and services)
- Spanish Building Code CTE DB-SUA (safety in use and accessibility)
- EN 17210 (accessibility and usability of the built environment)
- EN 301 549 (accessibility requirements for ICT products)
- Order TMA/851/2021 (accessibility of urbanised public spaces)
- UNE 170001 (universal accessibility)
- ISO 21542 (accessibility and usability of the built environment)
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Axe DevTools
- NVDA
- Colour Contrast Analyser
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Social and medical models of disability1.2WHO ICF classification1.3Functional diversity and ageing1.4Principles of universal design1.5Inclusive versus accessible design1.6UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities1.7Demographic data and demand1.8Physical, sensory and cognitive barriers1.9Reasonable adjustments and disproportionate burden1.10Case study: barrier audit of a public building
2.1Royal Legislative Decree 1/20132.2Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility2.3Royal Decree 193/2023 on basic conditions2.4CTE DB-SUA safety in use and accessibility2.5Order TMA/851/2021 on public spaces2.6Regional accessibility regulations2.7EN 17210 accessibility of the built environment2.8Infringements and penalties regime2.9UNE 170001 accessibility certification2.10Workshop: regulatory matrix for a project
3.1Anthropometric data for wheelchair users3.2Sensory capabilities and their decline3.3Strength, dexterity and reach3.4Cognitive and comprehension capabilities3.5ISO/IEC Guide 713.6ISO 21542 accessibility of buildings3.7Ageing simulators3.8Personas as a design tool3.9Including users in testing3.10Practical exercise: reach study for wheelchair users
4.1Accessible routes and level changes4.2Ramps, lifts and platforms4.3Doors, corridors and turning spaces4.4Accessible toilets and bathrooms4.5Evacuation of people with disabilities4.6Signage and wayfinding4.7Tactile warning and guidance paving4.8Accessible and adaptable housing4.9Refurbishment of existing buildings4.10Lab: DB-SUA check of a floor plan
5.1Urbanised public spaces5.2Pedestrian crossings and audible traffic signals5.3Accessible stops and stations5.4Railway rolling stock and PRM5.5Regulation (EU) 1300/2014 TSI PRM5.6Buses and UN Regulation No. 1075.7Accessibility in airports5.8Shared mobility and new technologies5.9Municipal accessibility plans5.10Case study: accessible route from station to hospital
6.1Visual impairment and design6.2Colour contrast and luminance6.3Braille and raised lettering6.4Hearing impairment and induction loops6.5Subtitling and sign language6.6Acoustics for hearing-aid users6.7Combined visual, tactile and audible signage6.8Wayfinding with beacons6.9Assistive devices6.10Practical exercise: multisensory signage plan
7.1Comprehensibility of the environment7.2Easy-to-read and UNE 1531017.3Pictograms and augmentative communication7.4UNE-EN ISO 24495-1 plain language7.5Spatial orientation and landmarks7.6Design for autistic people7.7Design for dementia7.8Validation with readers with intellectual disabilities7.9Cognitive signage with standardised pictograms7.10Workshop: easy-to-read adaptation of a leaflet
8.1WCAG 2.2 and the POUR principles8.2EN 301 549 for ICT products8.3Royal Decree 1112/2018 on websites8.4Screen readers and assistive technologies8.5Accessibility in mobile apps8.6Accessible PDF documents8.7Designing accessible forms8.8Automated and manual audits8.9Accessibility statements8.10Lab: WCAG audit of a web portal
9.1ISO 9999 classification of assistive products9.2Inclusive design of everyday products9.3Accessible household appliances and controls9.4Easy-open packaging9.5Interfaces of vending machines and ATMs9.6Home automation and environmental control9.7Customised assistive products9.8Additive manufacturing of technical aids9.9Inclusive usability evaluation9.10Practical exercise: inclusive redesign of a remote control
10.1ISO 21542 and building management10.2UNE 170001 DALCO management system10.3Accessibility plan for an organisation10.4Training customer-facing staff10.5Maintaining accessibility10.6Accessibility indicators and annual monitoring10.7Accessibility at events10.8Accessibility in tourism10.9Accessible public procurement10.10Case study: accessibility plan for a museum
11.1Accessibility audit methods11.2Field measurement tools11.3Participation of users with disabilities11.4Costs and benefits of accessibility11.5Social innovation and business11.6AI and accessibility11.7Virtual reality for assessing environments11.8Research in inclusive design11.9European regulatory trends11.10Workshop: participatory audit of an urban space
12.1Target environment, product or service12.2Accessibility diagnosis12.3Analysis of applicable regulations12.4User participation12.5Inclusive design proposal12.6Evaluation of the proposal12.7Budget and prioritisation12.8Maintenance plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online learning on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, 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 AutoCAD, Revit, Axe DevTools, NVDA and Colour Contrast Analyser, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: accessibility audits of buildings and urban spaces, WCAG evaluations of websites and usability testing with people with disabilities. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, Directive (EU) 2019/882, CTE DB-SUA, EN 17210, EN 301 549, Order TMA/851/2021, UNE 170001, ISO 21542.
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 AutoCAD, Revit, Axe DevTools, NVDA and Colour Contrast Analyser, 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 programme's 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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