About this course

On this Marine Engineering and Autonomy MSc degree you'll learn about component and systems engineering for ships. You’ll also gain an understanding of the fixed and offshore structures that help them to function. Learn the skills you need to become a specialist in the marine sector. You'll graduate with the design and analysis skills for a maritime sector career, or for continued study at PhD level.

This Maritime Engineering Science: Marine Engineering and Autonomy MSc is one of 5 maritime engineering science specialisms you can study at the University of Southampton.

On this UK master’s course you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the fundamental principles, methods and applications of maritime engineering science.

This pathway focuses on the analysis and specification of marine engineering and autonomous systems used on board ships and other marine structures. You’ll study topics like electrical theory, thermodynamics, and engine and machine tribology.

You’ll explore the marine engineering systems found on board merchant and naval vessels and their importance to ship design. This includes performance characteristics of diesel engines, steam and gas turbines and electric propulsion. The course covers the dynamic response of the main shaft and associated components.

An introduction to auxiliary systems includes:

heating
ventilation and air-conditioning
refrigeration
the main fuel system

You’ll also learn about propeller-engine matching and a selection of appropriate machinery configurations.

Your optional study topics include a chance to study the principles of photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries, where you’ll learn about:

electrochemical routes to energy conversion
the relative merits of batteries, fuel cells and redox flow cells
solar radiation as an energy source
solar cell operation and manufacture
design and operation of a photovoltaic system

Throughout your studies, you’ll learn how to solve engineering problems by taking account of social, technical, economic and environmental constraints.

This master's programme is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning, for Chartered Engineer and Chartered Marine Engineer registration. Candidates must hold a BEng/BSc undergraduate first degree that is accredited for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Gabriel Weymouth, an associate professor for the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute at the University of Southampton. His main areas of interest are mechanics and maths. He is currently working on unsteady fluid dynamics and nonlinear fluid/structure interaction. Read Dr Weymouth’s staff profile to find out more about his work.

Related pathways

If you'd prefer to study a different specialism, you can apply for one of our other MSc Maritime Engineering Science pathways:

Accreditations

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA)

Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

Engineering Council

European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EAEP)

Course location

This course is based at Boldrewood.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:

marine engineering
naval architecture
ship science
aerospace engineering
mechanical engineering
general engineering
electrical engineering
physics
mathematics

We may also consider applicants with undergraduate degrees in oceanography or architecture, or applicants from marine academies.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 5.5
writing: 5.5
speaking: 5.5
listening: 5.5

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course, studied over 12 months.

In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. You’ll carry out an experimental or numerical research project, and benefit from our Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) research network and our world-class maritime engineering facilities, including the largest towing tank in any UK university.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Advanced Electrical Systems

To provide an introduction to power system analysis and an in-depth coverage of power electronics and electric machine operation and design in the context of applications from the fields of renewable energy, marine propulsion and electric vehicles.

Advanced Sensors and Condition Monitoring

This module covers advanced sensors and signal processing techniques for machinery condition monitoring. It discusses the condition monitoring strategies, introduces leading edge sensing methods and advanced signal processing techniques and provide introd...

Fundamentals of Ship Science

This fundamentals module is aimed primarily for the MSc students in Maritime Engineering Science and students on the MECH/Navel Engineering programmes. It provides them with the essential knowledge of Ship Science required for their subsequent studies. Th...

MSc Research Project

Within the context of your programme of study, students will undertake independent, original and critical research on a relevant topic. Students will then communicate the research objectives, methodology, analysis, results and conclusions effectively both...

Marine Engineering

This module introduces the fundamental principles, design and analysis of ship power plants, drive trains and auxiliary systems found on-board marine vehicles. Students will be introduced to the operational principles, machinery configurations, perform...

Maritime Robotics

This module introduces the theoretical and practical design of maritime robotics systems such as autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUVs, ASVs). Students will be introduced to the theoretical principles underlying their design including aspect...

Maritime Safety: Risk, Environment and Law

In view of the Engineering Council’s support for the development of engineering degrees that will equip students to become professional engineers, the module follows the European Network for Engineering Accreditation guidelines to contribute to graduate a...

You must also choose from the following modules:

Failure of Materials and Components

In this module, the emphasis moves away from alloy development and design, and focuses on the performance of structural materials in a range of engineering applications. The lectures draw on examples from applications of ceramics, steel, Al, Ti and Ni bas...

Marine Structures in Fluids

This module provides the fundamental aspects of advanced concepts associated with structural integrity and fluid-structure interactions for ships and ship like floating offshore vessels such as FPSO and FLNG, hitherto referred to as floating vessels. The...

Offshore Engineering & Analysis

Offshore infrastructure forms a key part of our global communication, energy generation, material transport and environment monitoring networks. This module examines the general engineering concepts and analytical techniques that are fundamental to design...

Renewable Energy from Environmental Flows: Wind, Wave and Tide

The atmospheric and gravitational processes present on the earth generate flows of wind and water. This module studies these resources and practical methods/technologies for extracting cost-effective electrical and other energy conversions. The main focu...

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
a dissertation
essays
group essays
individual and group projects
written exams

Dissertation

You’ll carry out an original piece of research, resulting in a dissertation, on a subject of your choice (to be agreed with your supervisor).

The project is a chance for you to develop your research skills and show in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers

The maritime sector provides varied career opportunities in engineering and project management related roles. Maritime engineering science graduates are in strong demand with good starting salaries and excellent career progression opportunities.

Our graduates work across many different organisations.The Solent region around Southampton is the main UK hub for the maritime sector with organisations such as:

Lloyd’s Register
Carnival
BMT
Nigel Gee
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Organisations such BAE Systems, QinetiQ and Babcock support the defence sector and employ a number of our graduates. The offshore and marine renewable developments are offering excellent prospects both to work in the UK (locally, London or Aberdeen) or worldwide in places such as Singapore, Houston or Perth.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £24,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Submit your application.

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.