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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Naval Architecture & Hydrodynamics Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in naval architecture and hydrodynamics. 12 modules covering ship geometry, hydrostatics, resistance, towing tank testing, propulsion and propellers, hull forms, stability to the IS 2008 Code, seakeeping, manoeuvrability, computational hydrodynamics and ship design, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Define the geometry and hull forms of a ship.

02

Calculate ship hydrostatics and stability.

03

Estimate resistance and propulsive power.

04

Interpret towing tank tests.

05

Select propellers and analyse hull–propeller interaction.

06

Evaluate seakeeping and manoeuvrability.

07

Develop the preliminary design of a ship.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Naval architects looking to strengthen their hydrodynamics.
  • Hydrodynamics engineers.
  • Ship designers.
  • Towing tank test engineers.
  • Classification society surveyors.
  • Shipyard technical office engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter shipbuilding.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SOLAS Convention (safety of life at sea)
  • International Convention on Load Lines 1966 (freeboard)
  • IS 2008 Code (International Code on Intact Stability)
  • ITTC Recommended Procedures (towing tank and CFD practice)
  • Resolution MSC.137(76) (standards for ship manoeuvrability)
  • ISO 15016:2015 (speed trials)
  • MARPOL Annex VI (air pollution and energy efficiency)
  • DNV classification society rules
  • Maxsurf
  • Rhinoceros
  • OpenFOAM
  • Star-CCM+
  • NAPA
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Main dimensions of the ship
  2. 1.2Form coefficients
  3. 1.3Lines plan
  4. 1.4Table of offsets
  5. 1.5Calculation of hydrostatic curves
  6. 1.6Bonjean curves
  7. 1.7Simpson's numerical integration
  8. 1.8NURBS representation
  9. 1.9Ship tonnage measurement
  10. 1.10Workshop: lines plan of a cargo ship
  1. 2.1Buoyancy and displacement
  2. 2.2Centre of buoyancy
  3. 2.3Transverse and longitudinal metacentre
  4. 2.4Metacentric height and initial stability
  5. 2.5Moment to change trim
  6. 2.6Tonnes per centimetre immersion
  7. 2.7Loading and unloading weights
  8. 2.8Reserve buoyancy
  9. 2.9Freeboard and the Load Lines Convention
  10. 2.10Practical exercise: hydrostatic calculation with Maxsurf
  1. 3.1Components of resistance
  2. 3.2Frictional resistance and the ITTC 1957 line
  3. 3.3Wave-making resistance
  4. 3.4Froude number
  5. 3.5Form factor
  6. 3.6Holtrop and Mennen method
  7. 3.7Added resistance of appendages
  8. 3.8Wind resistance
  9. 3.9Hull roughness
  10. 3.10Lab: resistance estimation using Holtrop
  1. 4.1Laws of similitude
  2. 4.2Towing tanks
  3. 4.3Scale models
  4. 4.4Resistance measurement
  5. 4.5ITTC 1978 extrapolation method
  6. 4.6Self-propulsion tests
  7. 4.7Wake tests
  8. 4.8Flow visualisation
  9. 4.9Experimental uncertainty in the tank
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: extrapolating test results
  1. 5.1Momentum theory
  2. 5.2Blade element theory
  3. 5.3Wageningen systematic series
  4. 5.4KT, KQ and efficiency curves
  5. 5.5Hull–propeller interaction
  6. 5.6Wake and thrust deduction coefficients
  7. 5.7Propeller selection
  8. 5.8Propeller cavitation risk
  9. 5.9Alternative propulsors to the propeller
  10. 5.10Workshop: selecting a B-series propeller
  1. 6.1Bow and bulb design
  2. 6.2Stern forms
  3. 6.3Displacement and planing hulls
  4. 6.4Catamarans and multihulls
  5. 6.5Hull form optimisation
  6. 6.6Influence on resistance and stability
  7. 6.7Yacht hull forms
  8. 6.8Appendages and keels
  9. 6.9Systematic hull form variation
  10. 6.10Case study: redesigning the bow of a fishing vessel
  1. 7.1Initial stability and GM
  2. 7.2Righting lever curve
  3. 7.3Free surface effect
  4. 7.4IMO criteria of the IS 2008 Code
  5. 7.5Weather and roll criterion
  6. 7.6Inclining experiment
  7. 7.7Loading condition calculation
  8. 7.8Stability of recreational craft
  9. 7.9Damage stability
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: simulated inclining experiment
  1. 8.1Regular and irregular waves
  2. 8.2Wave spectra
  3. 8.3Motions in six degrees of freedom
  4. 8.4RAO transfer functions
  5. 8.5Strip theory
  6. 8.6Accelerations and comfort
  7. 8.7Green water and slamming
  8. 8.8Operational seakeeping criteria
  9. 8.9Roll reduction devices
  10. 8.10Lab: calculating the RAOs of a ship
  1. 9.1Equations of motion
  2. 9.2Hydrodynamic manoeuvring derivatives
  3. 9.3Turning circle test
  4. 9.4Zigzag test
  5. 9.5Course-keeping stability
  6. 9.6Rudders and their design
  7. 9.7IMO manoeuvrability standards
  8. 9.8Manoeuvring in restricted waters
  9. 9.9Manoeuvring simulation
  10. 9.10Case study: assessing a ship against IMO criteria
  1. 10.1Potential flow methods
  2. 10.2Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations
  3. 10.3Turbulence models
  4. 10.4VOF free surface
  5. 10.5Meshing around the hull
  6. 10.6Validation against towing tank data
  7. 10.7Nominal wake calculation
  8. 10.8CFD-based optimisation
  9. 10.9ITTC recommendations for CFD
  10. 10.10Lab: resistance calculation with OpenFOAM
  1. 11.1Design spiral
  2. 11.2Owner's requirements
  3. 11.3Initial sizing of the ship
  4. 11.4Weight estimation
  5. 11.5General arrangement plan
  6. 11.6Capacities and tonnage
  7. 11.7Propulsive power estimation
  8. 11.8EEDI energy efficiency
  9. 11.9Classification societies
  10. 11.10Workshop: preliminary design of a supply vessel
  1. 12.1Definition of requirements
  2. 12.2Sizing of the proposed ship
  3. 12.3Hull form design
  4. 12.4Hydrostatic and tonnage calculations
  5. 12.5Resistance and power estimation
  6. 12.6Stability and seakeeping
  7. 12.7Numerical validation with CFD
  8. 12.8Conclusions of the preliminary design
  9. 12.9Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training 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, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Maxsurf, Rhinoceros, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+ and NAPA, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied through real procedures: estimating the resistance and propulsive power of a ship, hydrostatic and stability calculation of a loading condition, and CFD simulation of the flow around a hull. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SOLAS Convention, International Convention on Load Lines 1966, IS 2008 Code, ITTC Recommended Procedures, Resolution MSC.137(76), ISO 15016:2015, MARPOL Annex VI, DNV classification rules.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SOLAS, the 1966 Load Lines Convention and the IS 2008 Code applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Maxsurf, Rhinoceros, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+ and NAPA, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The preliminary design of a ship, from sizing and hull forms to stability, seakeeping and CFD validation, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Lines plan and hydrostatics
Draw the lines plan and calculate the hydrostatics of the ship with Maxsurf.
Resistance and propeller
Estimate resistance using Holtrop and select a B-series propeller.
Stability and seakeeping
Check IS 2008 criteria and calculate the ship's RAOs.
CFD validation
Calculate resistance with OpenFOAM and compare it with tank data.
Master's Thesis
Complete the preliminary design of a ship, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Naval architectHydrodynamics engineerShip designerTowing tank engineerClassification society surveyorShipyard technical office engineer
Admissions & scholarships

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.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

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 Maxsurf, Rhinoceros, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+ and NAPA, 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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