“I recommend this course for all those who want to start a career in yacht design industry.”
BEng (Hons)Yacht and Powercraft Design
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: HH52
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 48Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study yacht and powercraft design with a foundation year
Plot a course for your engineering skills - specialise in naval architecture for power- and sail-craft. Solent’s highly regarded degree is taught by experienced marine architects and designers.
- 0yearsof yacht and powercraft design and production at Solent University
- 0stfor teaching satisfaction in mechanical engineering (out of 67 institutions) (Guardian University Guide 2025)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- If you’re looking to study our yacht and powercraft design degree, but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the Science and Engineering Foundation Year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress.
- Solent ranked 6th in the UK for satisfaction with assessment in mechanical engineering (out of 67 institutions) (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Prestigious guest lecturers from key industry organisations such as the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), Nigel Gee BMT, Babcock Engineering, Gurit, Sunseeker, Rob Humphries Design and Norbert Sedlacek (Open 60 skipper).
- Full access to specialist design and construction facilities, including industry-standard CAD and drawing offices, as well as a fully equipped specialist composite workshop, a 60m hydrodynamic test tank and static four-metre stability tank.
- Some of our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Laurent Giles Naval Architects, Sunseeker Yachts, Humphries Yacht Design, Monaco Marine, Viareggio Shipyards and Incat Crowther Design.
- To help you build your professional network, you will be encouraged to attend local boat shows, including the Southampton Boat Show and Seawork International. Previous students have also been on yard visits, with recent trips including Sunseeker, Green Marine and Solent Refit.
- One of Solent's key areas of research is science and engineering with the creation, sharing, and application of insight, innovation, and knowledge for safe, sustainable seas – you will learn direct from leading experts in their field.
Course overview
Throughout your time at foundation year you will benefit from a supportive and student focused approach to learning. The course team have significant experience of working with students from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds. By the time you start the yacht and powercraft design degree, you will have acquired an essential portfolio of academic and subject specific skills.
The internationally-recognised yacht and powercraft design degree focuses on small craft technology, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and design practice, delivering essential engineering theory and design skills.
Previous students have benefitted from attending guest lectures by speakers from key industry organisations such as the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA), Nigel Gee BMT, Babcock Engineering, Gurit, Sunseeker, Rob Humphries Design and Norbert Sedlacek (Open 60 skipper).
To help build their professional network, students are encouraged to attend local boat shows, including the Southampton Boat Show and Seawork International. Previous students have also been on yard visits, with recent trips including Sunseeker, Green Marine and Solent Refit.
This course is part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries – industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Part of:
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
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course is for?
The foundation year offers the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge you need to begin the yacht and powercraft design degree programme.
This three-year BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft design degree is aimed at those who want to design smaller leisure craft such as sailing boats and powercraft.
Students learn the fundamentals of yacht design alongside the latest construction methods to gain a solid grounding for roles in yacht design, naval architecture or equipment design.
What does this course lead to?
Studying a foundation year is intended for students without the UCAS points for direct entry to the three-year degree course. This could be mature students returning to education, younger students without the required qualifications, or students looking to change career path after completing further education qualifications.
Graduates from the yacht and powercraft design degree have gone on to various industry roles, including naval architect or design engineer, at companies such as Laurent Giles Naval Architects, Sunseeker Yachts, Humphries Yacht Design, Monaco Marine, Viareggio Shipyards in Italy and Incat Crowther Design in the USA.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The course is delivered by a team of specialist naval architects and production designers, supported by CAD/drawing office instructors and FRP workshop instructors. All team members come from the yacht and small craft industry and maintain their close links through consultancy, design practice and professional bodies.
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
Students have full access to the University’s specialist facilities, including industry-standard CAD and drawing offices, as well as a fully-equipped specialist composite workshop a 60m towing tank and static four-metre stability tank.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Science and Engineering Foundation Skills
In this module you will develop a range of key skills and knowledge designed to help you develop the underpinning knowledge and skills for the remaining modules of the course. This can be broadly categorised into: communication skills; collaborative skills; numeracy skills; information and communication technology skills and problem solving skills.
Fundamental Mathematics for Science and Engineering
You will build on the Science and Engineering Foundation Skills module, exploring fundamental approaches to mathematics, such as numbering systems and Boolean logic.
STEM Concepts and Processes (Theory)
You will study theoretical science and engineering related topics from a range of general areas related to the parent degrees supported by the course.
STEM Concepts and Processes (Applied)
You will plan and undertake experiments, or validate numerical models, related to science and engineering related topics from a range of general areas related to the parent degrees supported by the course (these are outlined in more detail in the STEM Concepts and Processes (Theory) module).
Personal Development Planning
This module is designed to help you to develop a range of transferable academic and career planning skills.
Degree-Related Project
The learning on this module is primarily derived from an experiential approach, enabling you to apply the skills and knowledge from the other modules to the analysis of a real problem related to your interests.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Coursework
- Written exams
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in yacht and powercraft design?
The UK has a strong pedigree in yacht design and the UK leisure yacht and small commercial marine markets generate direct revenues of 3.97bn, according to British Marine, the membership organisation for these industries. The industry is supported by over 38,000 jobs across a variety of roles, with over 10,000 new boats produced in 2019 for both domestic and international markets.
During your studies you’ll benefit from guest speakers from companies such as Nigel Gee BMT, Babcock Engineering and Structural Polymers. Yard visits are also possible, with recent visits including Sunseeker International and Solent Refit.
Students are encouraged to attend local industry events, including the world-famous Southampton International Boat Show and Seawork International. A full programme of RINA Southern Joint Branch lectures is also supported.
You could earn:
Naval architect
Starting salary: £25,000 to £35,000
With experience, salaries can range from £35,000 to £50,000, rising to £60,000 in some instances for senior naval architect posts.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“I recommend this course for all those who want to start a career in yacht design industry.”
Solent Futures
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
Accreditations, recognitions and memberships
Part of:
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £15,050 for foundation level. Fees will increase for year 1.
- International full-time fees: £17,750 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.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Optional costs
- Foundation year
Normal stationery requirements and printing costs will come to approximately £30. There may be very minor costs (circa £30) for optional materials in the degree related project. - Years one to three
Minor materials: approximately £80
Field trips to local shipyards in final year: approximately £100
Minor costs for final year project: approximately £50
Bursaries, 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
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
48 UCAS tariff points
- Completed A-levels, BTEC Diploma at MP, T-Level Pass (D or E), or equivalent.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
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.
48UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
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 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual 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.
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.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
