Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering

Program Overview

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About the course

Offshore and coastal engineering provides the foundation for global prosperity linked to the Blue Economy. This course integrates disciplinary knowledge across the whole water column, from oceanography, hydrodynamics, structural and geotechnical engineering, and data science, to provide students with the multidisciplinary knowledge and practical skills required to analyse and design different ocean engineering solutions.

Offshore and coastal engineering underpin much of global prosperity associated with the Blue Economy, including ocean energy infrastructure, aquaculture industry, shipping and trade activities, and coastal development to support population growth and services in coastal regions. In a world of ever-increasing energy and food demand, the challenges resulting from coastal hazards and climate change, and the need for more environmentally sustainable coastal development, there is increasing demand for offshore and coastal engineering expertise around the world.

The Master of Offshore Coastal Engineering provides a pathway for students with undergraduate engineering degrees in areas such as Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, to undertake advanced study for careers in the offshore and coastal marine sectors.

Building on the existing foundational engineering skills and knowledge, The Master of Offshore Coastal Engineering has core units that will ensure graduates have strong experiential learning opportunities whilst building interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to analyse, design and develop innovative ocean engineering solutions. These units span across coastal and offshore engineering, ocean engineering and technology, design of coastal structures and advanced design of offshore systems. Elective units provide additional breadth and allow students to gain additional relevant technical capabilities and professional competencies, while research project or capstone units provide specific advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills.

UWA is an Australian and global leader in marine studies with world-class research infrastructures such as the National Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility, the Coastal and Offshore Engineering Laboratory and the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre that houses marine researchers from UWA, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO, and strong partnerships with ocean industries. As part of this course, students will receive direct access to these leading facilities and its state-of-the-art ocean technologies. They will also learn from world-leading marine experts and industry connected academics, ensuring that they are on a direct pathway towards a fulfilling career in the offshore and coastal marine sectors.

Quick details

• Status: Available 2023
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 62570
• CRICOS code: C
• Full time/part time duration: 1-2 years of full-time study

Why study this course?

• UWA is the preeminent Australian University in developing ocean engineering research solutions within offshore and coastal environments, with the course delivered by leading experts in the field.
• The course will equip graduates to take on leadership positions in offshore and coastal engineering, offering an outstanding student experience, drawing on UWA's research expertise, global networks, industry connectivity and breadth of oceans teaching.
• Graduates will develop advanced knowledge and practical skills that are in high demand by employers in a wide range of ocean industries.

Course structure

• Conversion: Students who have not completed Master of Professional Engineering or a Bachelor of Engineering(Honours), or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
  • GENG2004 Solid Mechanics (6)
  • GENG2009 Principles of Geomechanics (6)
  • GENG2010 Principles of Hydraulics (6)
  • GENG2012 Data Collection and Analysis (6)
• Core: Take all units (36 points):
  • GENG5501 Coastal and Offshore Engineering (6)
  • OCEN4008 Physical Oceanography (6)
  • OCEN4010 Ocean Observational Methods and Modelling (6)
  • OCEN5002 Ocean Engineering and Technology (6)
  • OCEN5004 Design of Coastal Structures (6)
  • OCEN5005 Advanced Design of Offshore Systems (6)
• Option - Group A: Take unit(s) to the value of between 36-60 points from this group, with at least two units at level 5.
  • CIVL4401 Applied Geomechanics (6)
  • CIVL5501 Structural Dynamics (6)
  • CIVL5504 Offshore Geomechanics (6)
  • EART4415 Coastal Hazards and Adaptation (6)
  • ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications (6)
  • ENVT5502 Marine and Coastal Planning and Management (6)
  • GENG5505 Project Management and Engineering Practice (6)
  • GENG5507 Risk, Reliability and Safety (6)
  • GEOS4413 Climate Geoscience (6)
  • GEOS5514 Marine Geoscience (6)
  • GEOS5515 Coastal Dynamics (6)
  • OCEN4002 Ocean Hazards (6)
  • OCEN4007 Renewable Ocean Energy (6)
  • OCEN5411 Offshore and Coastal Engineering Research Project Part 1 (6)
  • OCEN5412 Offshore and Coastal Engineering Research Project Part 2 (6)
  • SCIE5505 Global Change and the Marine Environment (6)

You'll learn to

• Apply technical and scientific understanding of the principles governing offshore and coastal engineering from the ocean surface to the seabed.
• Discuss ocean processes that affect ocean operations, safety and engineering design.
• Recommend the research and technology pathways for current and future offshore and coastal engineering.
• Solve offshore and coastal engineering problems with creativity and initiative.

Your teachers

This course will be taught by a number of academics with knowledge across areas of offshore and coastal engineering with expertise in oceanography, hydrodynamics, geotechnical engineering and data science.

All teaching staff have high international research profiles and substantial experience working with a range of different ocean industries. Teaching will also leverage expertise from industry Chairs based in the Oceans Graduate School, as well as contributions from research staff leading significant national ocean engineering research infrastructure such as the Coastal and Offshore Engineering Laboratory and the National Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility.

Institute

• UWA Oceans Institute: The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.

The Ocean Institute’s mission is to draw on our world-leading marine research to tackle issues of national and global significance. We are uniquely placed to provide ocean solutions to real-world challenges, through the breadth and depth of our marine expertise, our state-of-the-art facilities and geographic reach.

Centre

• Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre: Purpose-built collaborative facility for marine science and ocean engineering research.

The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) provides innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world's oceans. Built for the UWA Oceans Institute, the IOMRC brings together more than 300 marine scientists across disciplines including biodiversity, fishing, tourism, Indigenous engagement, climate change, oceanography and conservation.

Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

• Career Pathways: You'll be able to find careers in industries including:
  • Offshore and coastal marine
  • Shipping/ports
  • Marine construction
  • Coastal engineering and management
  • Marine renewable energy (including offshore wind, wave and tidal energy)
  • Aquaculture
  • Mining, oil and gas
  • Nature-based solutions
  • Defence and security
  • Subsea engineering
• Roles include:
  • Offshore engineer
  • Coastal engineering
  • Marine renewable energy engineer
  • Subsea engineer
  • Coastal manager

Postgraduate study at UWA

• Master of Ocean Leadership: Develop the skills needed to work in a range of marine-related fields to strategically address human challenges in ocean systems.
• Further Study: Further study will allow you to gain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). It will open up opportunities in academia and research to help you to pursue your goals in a wide range of careers, depending on your area of research.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

• Domestic Student Fees:
  • For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.
• Domestic Student Fees for Full-Fee Paying Places:
  • If you're not eligible for a Commonwealth-supported places, you will be charged a for Full-Fee Paying place. For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation. More information on how fees are calculated.
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
• Cost of living: There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.
• International Student Fees:
  • Annual course fee
    • 2025: $49,800.00
  • Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.
  • Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

• Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
  • (a) a Master of Professional Engineering;
  • or
  • (b) a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
  • and
  • (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent;
  • and
  • (c) prior studies in Civil Engineering; or Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering; or Mechanical Engineering; or Mining Engineering.
• Ranking and Selection Process: Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
• English competency: English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place. Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.