MScSustainable Marine Craft and Superyacht Design
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Why study a sustainable marine craft and superyacht design master's degree at Solent University
Discover latest techniques to develop new, sustainable superyacht and marine craft designs. Benefit from the combined expertise of Solent's yacht engineering team and Centre for Marine Sustainability.
- 0yearsof yacht and powercraft design and production at Solent University
- £0minvestment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (LEO 2022)
- You'll have full access to industry-standard naval architecture software and CAD packages.
- The course combines the theoretical knowledge and practical design skills desired by employers.
- You'll be able to test the performance of your design using the University's 60m-long tow tank.
- Solent has a strong pedigree in yacht and powercraft design and production, delivering courses for 55 years.
- You'll be studying in the heart of the city of Southampton - close to the UK's top sailing areas and many design offices and production facilities. Southampton is also home to the UK's largest boat show.
- You'll hear from guest speakers from industry on current design developments, rule developments and current practice and help develop your design skills.
- You'll join established and globally recognised yacht design and production alumni, many of whom are major contributors to the design and production of some of the world’s leading marine craft brands and design offices for both leisure and commercial vessels.
Course overview
The MSc Sustainable Marine Craft and Superyacht Design course focuses on equipping you with the engineering knowledge and the analytical and practical technical design skills a future marine craft designer is expected to have on entering the leisure or commercial craft design and production industry, to design marine craft typically between 24 metres and 120 metres in length.
Alongside practical design projects, you will study naval architecture, structural design and system design. For all modules, your design must comply with relevant maritime statutory regulations and must have current sustainability and lifecycle requirements embedded within.
Working in Solent's marine design CAD suite, you will learn to use many commercially available drafting and modelling, and analytical software programs widely used across the marine design industry. You will use industry-standard hull lines fairing software to develop the hull, and CAD packages to develop 2D CAD drawings and 3D computer generated models of your designs.
You will also have access to Solent University’s 60 metres long tow tank, where you will be able to test and analyse the performance of a sailing or motor vessel and then develop the sail or wing plan for a wind assisted vessel, or the powertrain for a powered vessel.
On completion of the course, which may well finish with your dissertation completed alongside a commercial design office or production facility, you will have the design skills to join an exciting worldwide industry. Alternatively, you could complete further research by pursuing a PhD.Â
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Course features
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
This course is for
This course is ideally suited to students who have an undergraduate degree in large ship design, engineering, architecture or technical product design, or for those who have practical seagoing experience of working vessels but who now wish to pursue a career in the marine design industry designing complex sustainable vessels between 24m and 120m in length. Â
What this course leads to
This course can lead to exciting worldwide careers as a superyacht or commercial craft designer, specialising in areas of naval architecture, marine craft design, or project management; or being an owner’s representative within both the superyacht and commercial craft industry.Â
- Naval architect
- Designer
- Production manager
- Stylist
- Systems engineer
Meet the team
The academic team have many years' experience in teaching the analytical theory and the practical design associated with the development and design of commercial marine draft and superyachts. Collectively, their expertise and authority to deliver the latest marine craft design knowledge and real-world design practice is reinforced by actively engaging with academic consultancy, government funded projects, post-doctoral research, and industry experience and consultancy.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
To aid learning, students have full access to the University’s specialist yacht engineering and design facilities, including our composite construction workshop, yacht drawing office and modern CAD office, which is equipped with the latest commercial marine design and production software.
Students also have access to a fully-equipped specialist composite laboratory and materials testing laboratory, a 60m towing tank and static four-metre stability tank.
Year one modules
Core modules
Naval Architecture Structures and Systems
This module covers three main areas: naval architecture, structural design, and systems design. You will learn the principles of stability, resistance, and propulsion, alongside the principles for dimensioning hull plating and scantlings to classification rules. You will also design and position on board the main systems required on board marine craft.
Marine Craft Production Management
In this module, you'll cover the vessel production management process from concept to delivery. Topics covered include specifications, contracts, production programming, costs, the production team, class, flag, owner’s representative, fitout planning, shipyard planning, and large vessel movements. The module also includes real vessel production case studies and shipyard visits.
Powered Craft Design Development
Working in groups, you will develop a large motor vessel in line with a client brief in groups and present the styling and layout of the design to the client midway through the module. The module also involves the technical development of the design, ensuring compliance with statutory and structural regulations. You will also consider alternative CO2 reducing power plants for the vessel.
Sustainable Marine Design
This module examines alternative marine fuels and propulsion system integration. It offers an in-depth insight into the properties, evolution, advantages, and disadvantages, and assesses the performance of vessel emissions elimination solutions to help prepare students for future challenges.
Wind Assisted Vessel Design
You will learn and apply the design and software skills to develop a preliminary design for a 30 to 40 metre sailing or wind-assisted vessel, applying new knowledge gained in other modules. You will also utilise International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, ensuring your design meets these. You may also consider novel wind assisted rigs too.
Marine Craft Dissertation
Your dissertation can be either an industry-based design, or production led, or an academic research-based project. The aim is to extend your knowledge beyond the taught syllabus - you will approach a specific topic by developing the project or widening knowledge, using traditional and innovative engineering techniques and design tools.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Learn transferable skills
Students will develop creative thinking, problem-solving and analysis, production, project management and teamwork skills throughout the course.
Why choose a career in sustainable marine craft and superyacht design
There is currently demand from both the commercial and superyacht industry for graduates who possess the technical design and production skills to develop and project manage the marine craft.
Our previous yacht, power craft, and superyacht design courses have scored very highly in graduate destination surveys, with normally 90% of graduates securing employment in their chosen field. These courses have graduated more than 1000 students, most of whom are still in contact with the University. Local alumni have previously given guest lectures, as well as graduate employment and internship opportunities.
The course team also have excellent connections with the wider marine industry, occasionally providing further learning opportunities for current students.
Local companies include RWD (designers of Superyachts based in Beaulieu) and commercial vessel designers, Keel Marine (Based in Havant) and Incat Crowther are supporters of this course.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £10,400 per year
- International full-time fees: £18,350 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Discover Solent University Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
First or 2:1 in an appropriate naval architecture, engineering, or technology subject
Or professional qualification to either 3000GT superyacht captain, chief engineer or Master Mariner with appropriate experience.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:1 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time
