Maritime Engineering Science: Ocean Energy & Offshore Engineering

Program Overview

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Maritime Engineering Science: Ocean Energy & Offshore Engineering (MSc)

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.

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

Course lead

Dr Melike Kurt, an Assistant Professor leads this course.

Related pathways

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

• Advanced Computational Engineering
• Marine Engineering and Autonomy
• Naval Architecture
• Yacht and High Performance Craft

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.

Learn more about this subject area

Maritime engineering

Make global trade and ocean exploration possible by designing, building and testing ships and offshore structures for extreme conditions. Develop the skills that you need to become a naval architect and a marine engineer.

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.

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:

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

You'll also need a 2:1 in maths and mechanics modules.

We may consider applicants with undergraduate degrees in oceanography or architecture, or applicants from marine academies.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution.

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

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

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

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.

Pre-masters

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.

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.

We don't have module information for this course yet. Please check again later.

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 and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

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

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

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. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

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.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

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

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

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

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, 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 Tuesday 26 August 2025, 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.

Got a question?

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

Related courses

Maritime Engineering Science: Ocean Energy & Offshore Engineering (MSc) is a course in the Maritime engineering subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Maritime Engineering Science: Advanced Computational Engineering
• MSc Maritime Engineering Science: Marine Engineering and Autonomy
• MSc Maritime Engineering Science: Naval Architecture
• MSc Maritime Engineering Science: Yacht and High-performance Craft

Program Outline

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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 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.