Master’s in Coastal Engineering and Urban Maritime Works
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in coastal and urban maritime works engineering: 12 modules covering marine dynamics, beach morphodynamics, breakwaters, seafronts and promenades, beach nourishment and defence, marinas, port-city integration, coastal regulation, climate adaptation, coastal modelling and maritime construction, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Coastal Engineering and Urban Maritime Works — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €9,930 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
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
Characterise the wave climate and coastal dynamics.
Analyse the morphodynamics of urban beaches.
Design breakwaters, promenades and coastal defences.
Plan beach nourishment schemes and marinas.
Integrate the port and the seafront into the city.
Apply the Coastal Law and integrated coastal zone management.
Plan coastal adaptation to sea level rise.
Who it's for
- Coastal engineers working on beaches, defences and seafronts.
- Port engineers designing marinas and harbour works.
- Coastal modellers using SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D or SMC.
- Coastal authority technical staff dealing with public domain and permits.
- Coastal adaptation consultants advising municipalities.
- Maritime works site managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the coastal and port sector.
What you'll work with
- Law 22/1988 (Spanish Coastal Law)
- Royal Decree 876/2014 (General Coastal Regulation)
- ROM 0.0-01 (general procedure and design bases for maritime and harbour works)
- ROM 1.0-09 (design of breakwaters)
- ROM 3.1-99 (design of the maritime configuration of ports)
- Directive 2008/56/EC (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
- EurOtop Manual 2018 (wave overtopping of sea defences)
- Structural Code, Royal Decree 470/2021 (Spanish structural code for concrete and steel)
- SMC
- SWAN
- XBeach
- Delft3D
- MIKE 21
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Linear wave theory1.2Irregular waves and spectra1.3Mean and extreme wave climate1.4Coastal reanalysis databases1.5Astronomical tides and harmonics1.6Storm surges and set-up1.7Coastal and rip currents1.8Wave refraction and diffraction1.9Wave breaking1.10Case study: wave climate of an urban beach
2.1Elements of an urban beach2.2Dean equilibrium profile2.3Equilibrium planform2.4CERC longshore transport2.5Cross-shore transport during storms2.6Depth of closure of the profile2.7Bars and beach systems2.8Response to extreme storms2.9Post-storm profile recovery2.10Lab: beach planform with SMC
3.1Rubble-mound breakwaters with armour layers3.2Vertical caisson breakwaters3.3Composite breakwaters and berms3.4Design of main armour layers3.5Concrete blocks and cubes3.6Overtopping and admissible discharges3.7Foundation and scour of breakwaters3.8Breakwater failure modes3.9Physical model testing3.10Practical exercise: breakwater overtopping according to EurOtop
4.1Seafront promenades and their function4.2Seawalls and revetments4.3Overtopping on urban promenades4.4Urban design of the seafront4.5Drainage of promenades4.6Beach accessibility4.7Materials resistant to the marine environment4.8Durability of concrete in exposure class XS4.9Pedestrian safety against overtopping4.10Workshop: redesign of a seafront promenade
5.1Nourishment with sand placement5.2Offshore borrow areas5.3Groynes and their effect5.4Detached breakwaters and tombolos5.5Submerged artificial reefs5.6Sand bypassing and transfer5.7Restoration of dune systems5.8Topographic and bathymetric beach monitoring5.9Costs and lifespan of nourishment schemes5.10Case study: nourishment of an urban beach
6.1Layout design of marinas6.2Harbour agitation and resonance6.3Harbour entrance design6.4Pontoons and berths6.5Harbour water quality6.6Flushing and internal circulation6.7Maintenance dredging6.8Nautical services and buildings6.9Management of port concessions6.10Lab: agitation of a harbour basin with MSP
7.1Regeneration of urban waterfronts7.2Compatibility of port and urban uses7.3Mobility around the port7.4Industrial port heritage7.5Port noise and air quality7.6Special port plans7.7The cases of Barcelona, Bilbao and Hamburg7.8Public participation at the interface7.9Cruise ships and tourism pressure7.10Practical exercise: port-city integration proposal
8.1The Coastal Law and its 2013 reform8.2General Coastal Regulation8.3Maritime-terrestrial public domain and boundary demarcation8.4Protection and right-of-way easements8.5Concessions and authorisations on the coast8.6Maritime spatial planning8.7Marine strategies and Directive 2008/56/EC8.8Integrated coastal zone management8.9Municipal beach plans8.10Workshop: analysis of easements on an urban seafront
9.1Sea level rise and IPCC projections9.2Changes in waves and storms9.3Coastal risk assessment9.4Protect, accommodate and retreat strategies9.5Managed retreat of infrastructure9.6Coastal adaptation plans9.7Spanish Coastal Adaptation Strategy9.8Financing adaptation9.9Coastal green infrastructure9.10Lab: flood level in 2100
10.1SWAN spectral wave propagation models10.2Boussinesq-type models10.3Storm modelling with XBeach10.4Morphodynamics with Delft3D10.5SMC Coastal Modelling System10.6Harbour hydrodynamic models10.7Coastal calibration and validation10.8Physical models in flumes and basins10.9Satellite data and coastal video10.10Practical exercise: storm erosion with XBeach
11.1Construction processes in maritime works11.2Marine plant and floating equipment11.3Caisson fabrication in a floating dock11.4Placement of rock armour and blocks11.5Dredgers and their selection11.6Safety in maritime works11.7Environmental effects of marine works11.8Maintenance of maritime structures11.9Underwater inspection of structures11.10Case study: repair of a breakwater after a storm
12.1Selection of the seafront12.2Wave climate and sea level12.3Morphodynamic diagnosis of the stretch12.4Intervention alternatives12.5Design of the maritime works12.6Modelling of the solution12.7Urban and environmental integration12.8Budget and monitoring plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. 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 SMC, SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D and MIKE 21, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: wave and beach evolution modelling, physical model tests of breakwaters and topographic and bathymetric monitoring of nourishment schemes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Coastal Law 22/1988, Royal Decree 876/2014 (General Coastal Regulation), ROM 0.0-01, ROM 1.0-09, ROM 3.1-99, Directive 2008/56/EC, EurOtop Manual (2018), Structural Code (Royal Decree 470/2021).
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'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 SMC, SWAN, XBeach, Delft3D and MIKE 21, 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, plus a suitable computer 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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