Naval Architecture MSc
Gain knowledge in advanced technical aspects of ship performance, hydrodynamics and structures together with commercial awareness of maritime business.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
Newcastle University is home to the largest dedicated marine technology research group in the UK. You'll learn from leading academics who hold international recognition within the maritime industry. You'll also have access to our cutting-edge experimental facilities.
Our Naval Architecture degree is for both practising professionals and graduates in:
- naval architecture
- marine technology/engineering
- offshore engineering
- mechanical engineering
- related disciplines
Our strong industrial engagement means our courses are shaped by industry and government policy. You'll experience engagement through:
- industry guest lectures
- study tours
- site visits
- projects
- placements
- employment opportunities with added support from the careers service
You'll undertake advanced research on an appropriate marine related topic. This will be as part of an independent dissertation across all three semesters. You'll combine the skills and knowledge gained from the modules you've undertaken and develop your research skills on a relevant topic.
READ MORE
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
The course develops your practical skills to become a technically proficient, forward-thinking Naval Architect. This MSc will accelerate your career in maritime or associated industries.
You'll be conversant in the theory that underpins modern Naval Architectural practice. You'll also be competent in the application of specialist software and analysis techniques to predict the performance of marine vehicles.
You'll have a wide appreciation of the latest technological developments and global trends in the shipping industry. These include aspects of energy efficiency, autonomous operations and new markets.
Subjects are delivered in a modular format designed to provide a broad spectrum of knowledge in naval architecture practice.
On successful completion of this course, you'll be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- methods for analysing the environmental impact of a ship when operating in a seaway
- special hydrodynamics and stability phenomena that dominate the design and performance of Planing Craft
- how to analyse the design and performance of Surface Effect Ships and Hydrofoil based craft
- strip theory, wave diffraction theory, and their applications
- computational fluid dynamics
- vortex induced vibration
- the concepts behind Goal Based Design for Naval Architecture
- how safety issues can be modelled and implemented both into the design and regulatory framework
- key business, financial and management concepts
- sustainability issues
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Ship Performance at Sea | 10 |
High Speed and Advanced Craft | 10 |
Advanced Hydrodynamics | 10 |
Advanced Naval Architecture | 10 |
Advanced Marine Structures | 20 |
Commercial Awareness and Sustainable Business | 10 |
Dissertation | 60 |
Research Skills | 10 |
Group Project | 20 |
Fundamentals of Marine Technology | 20 |
How you'll learn
We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and you'll engage with students across all key marine technology disciplines. This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.
Our teaching method consists of:
- lectures
- seminars
- industry guest lectures
- practical sessions
- group work
- personal supervision
Modules are taught by block delivery, allowing you to immerse yourself and understand the subject in more depth.
The course is also available with a preliminary year if you do not meet the entry criteria for the one year MSc course.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Oral examination
- PC examination
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Dissertation
You'll choose an individual dissertation project, with guidance provided by academics who are at the forefront of international research in aspects of naval architecture.
We expect your work to address global challenges for the maritime industry including:
- climate change
- automation
- security and sustainability
The dissertation may involve desk-based research, computational analysis and/or model scale experimentation within our laboratories.
Recent projects which reflect the research expertise of our academic team include:
- predicting the drag on ships caused by biofouling using our hydrodynamic flumes and the University research vessel, The Princess Royal
- estimating the performance of wind assistance technologies such as Flettner rotors and kites
- analysing catastrophic failure mechanisms of ship structures in extreme weather conditions
- researching the technical and environmental challenges for arctic shipping routes
- investigating future concepts for sustainable and culturally appropriate fishing boats in the global south
- modelling the coupling between motion and power output for floating offshore wind turbines
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Dr Simon Benson
Lecturer
Areas of expertise:
- naval architecture
- marine structures
Professor Zhiqiang Hu
Professor of Offshore Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- numerical hydrodynamics
- floating offshore wind turbines
- collision and grounding of ships
Professor Richard Birmingham
Professor of Small Craft Design
Areas of expertise:
- small craft design
- ecologically sustainable recreational craft
- design for safety
Professor Pengfei Liu
Professor of Marine Hydrodynamics
Areas of expertise:
- experimental hydrodynamics
- propellers and propulsion
- novel technologies
Your development
We believe the difference at Newcastle is in the broad expertise and industrial connections that are held by our academic staff. This is whilst retaining a friendly and supportive atmosphere for our students.
You'll have the opportunity to learn from and work with academics who are research leading in many aspects of ship performance. They work regularly in collaborative projects with leading maritime companies.
Our research portfolio is highly diverse. This gives you a broad choice of directions to take your studies, with recent industry collaborations including:
- work on search and rescue craft with Lloyds Register and the Royal National Lifeboat Association
- measuring marine coating drag with Akzo Nobel
- designing lightweight ship structures with the US Navy
- predicting engine performance with Royston Marine Engines
Our core academic team of naval architects work alongside colleagues across the School of Engineering. This interdisciplinary environment is also reflected in the project work you will undertake which often involves aspects of mechanical, electrical and civil engineering.
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates on this MSc are prepared for a wide range of careers across the globe in the maritime and wider engineering sectors. Graduate destinations include the most recognised UK maritime companies such as:
- Babcock
- British Maritime Technology
- BAE Systems
- Lloyds Register
Our graduates are highly respected by industry across the world. They are following exciting careers in many global companies including:
- DNV-GL in Norway
- Keppel Marine in Singapore
- Shell in Nigeria
- Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea
- The American Bureau of Shipping in Houston, USA
Graduates also find excellent opportunities in specialist maritime firms throughout the UK and around the world. Our MSc also provides a route into further study at PhD level.
Industry links
Our close links within the maritime industry enable us to host guest lectures, run site visits and involve you in events with our professional institutions including:
- Royal Institute of Navigation (RINA)
- Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
- Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers (SNAME)
- the SUT
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Throughout your degree, you'll have access to a range of dedicated facilities that will support your studies and enhance your learning experience, including:
- a student common room
- a computer laboratory
- the Henri Kummerman Marine Resource Centre
- Jones Engineering laboratory
You'll also have access to a set of excellent testing facilities:
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Engineering
School Admissions Team
Email: soe.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
Live chat
Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.
You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.
Keep updated
We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.
Receive regular updates by email
Chat to a student
Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.