About this course

Study ocean energy and offshore engineering on this MSc course at the University of Southampton. This master’s degree will give you expert knowledge about the science behind natural energy resources. You’ll be well prepared for a range of offshore engineering specialisms, and will graduate with the skills to move into a career in the maritime sector.

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

On this pathway you’ll carry out structural and hydrodynamic analyses for offshore engineering of fixed and floating structures. You’ll focus on how to incorporate feasibility analysis of designs and probabilistic theory of the operating climate.

Discover the role of thermo-fluid processes in technologies which use hydrocarbon fuels in a sustainable way. These include clean combustion, carbon capture and storage, and oil and gas recovery.

You'll learn about the development of technology for these applications through physical insight and engineering methods covering:

heat and mass transport
chemically reacting flows
multi-phase flows
porous media flows

We’ll teach you about turbines for low and high-head hydroelectric schemes and explain the role of marine energy in the offshore environment. This includes installation and system survivability. Through design and lab assignments, you’ll explore the physics and methods behind assessing device cost-effectiveness.

Optional modules give you the chance to further your understanding of wind, wave and tidal energy. You’ll study these natural resources and the practical methods for extracting cost-effective electrical and other energy conversions.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

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

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.

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)

“I regularly use the knowledge I gained in Southampton in my job while continuing to learn new things. Thanks to this master's degree, I was able to participate in challenging projects to my role as an Offshore Wind Research Engineer at EDF.”
Amandine Martin de Bazelaire, 2021 graduate

Using the towing tank in your Ship Science degree

Find out about our 138m long towing tank and how our students use it as part of their Ship Science and Maritime Engineering degree.

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 2023-24 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

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: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

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

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

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

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025

You must study the following modules :

Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics

Many real-world engineering structures are too complex for their behaviour to be understood using an ‘exact’ analytical or theoretical method alone. Therefore, in practice we often use approximate numerical or simulation-based tools for structural analysi...

Fundamentals of Maritime Engineering

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 Maritime Engineering required for their subsequent stu...

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 Structures in Fluids

This module extends the fundamentals associated with the structural design of floating maritime vessels to account for the complexity of fluid-structure interactions on ship life and operation. Students will assess the impact of fluid-structure interacti...

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...

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...

You must also choose from the following modules :

Applications of CFD

The basic concept of Computational Fluid Dynamics and numerical procedures (FVM/FDM) are introduced. The major focus is practical applications, including geometry and grid generation, using solvers and turbulence models in CFD packages, and interpretation...

Marine Hydrodynamics

This module extends the fundamentals of fluid mechanics in the context of naval architecture and ocean engineering including water waves and the fluid loading and motion of maritime structures and vessels in waves. Students will assess the concepts of add...

Marine Structures

This module extends the structural analysis principles to marine structural design and assessment, building on the fundamentals established in the previous “materials and structures” and “ship structural design and production” courses. Students will asses...

Ship Manoeuvring and Control

This module provides the fundamental concepts associated with the principles of manoeuvring and control theory, with a focus on vehicles operating on or below the air water interface. There is one assignment which integrates manoeuvring hydrodynamic data...

Sustainable energy systems, resources and usage

The module provides an understanding of general energy concepts and how to apply energy related techniques gained through specialist courses to every-day situations. We will also take a look at the energy flows around our planet and consider issues such a...

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)

We’ll encourage you to contribute your own professional experiences and thoughts to the learning of the whole class through a free exchange of ideas.

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
a dissertation
oral presentations
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 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team 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 £30,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

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 could be eligible for 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.

Southampton Engineering Deans Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £5,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Engineering.

Find out more about the Southampton Engineering Deans International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

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.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. 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

References are not required for this programme.

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.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.