MSc Ship & Offshore Technology

Key facts

  • Start date: September
  • Accreditation: RINA / IMarEST
  • Study mode and duration: 24 months full-time
  • Joint course: this two-year course is offered jointly with Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)

  • Travel: year 2 completed at TUHH in Hamburg, Germany

  • 1st in Europe & 3rd in the world for Marine/Ocean Engineering (Shanghai Rankings Academic Ranking 2022)

Study with us

  • gain an award in the name of two universities
  • complete an intensive German language course
  • designed for graduate engineers in naval architecture, offshore engineering, mechanical engineering and other related disciplines who wish to acquire advanced knowledge in a broad range of subjects of ship and offshore technologies
Back to course

Why this course?

This programme is designed for graduate engineers in naval architecture, offshore engineering, mechanical engineering and other related disciplines who wish to acquire advanced knowledge in a broad range of subjects of ship and offshore technologies.

This two-year course is offered jointly with Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), one of Germany's newest and most successful universities. Year 1 is completed at Strathclyde and Year 2 in Hamburg. The award is made in the name of both universities.

Before starting Year 2 in Hamburg, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an intensive German language course. This is offered as a four-week summer school in August or as a three-week course in October.

Oil rig at sea

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
Go back

Course content

Finite Element Analysis of Floating Structures

This module aims to provide you with a theoretical and practical knowledge of the finite element method and the skills required to analyse marine structures with ANSYS graphical user interface (GUI).

This module covers:

  • introduction to finite element analysis and ANSYS GUI
  • truss elements and applications
  • solid elements and applications
  • beam elements and applications
  • plane stress, plane strain and axisymmetry concepts
  • plane elements and applications
  • plate & shell elements and applications
  • assembly process and constructing of the global stiffness matrix

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

  • understand the basics of finite element analysis
  • understand how to perform finite element analysis by using a commercial finite element software
  • understand specifying necessary input parameters for the analysis
  • understand how to visualize and evaluate the results

There is one exam and one coursework assignment. The exam is during the exam period of the first semester. Exam has a weight of 70% and coursework assignment has a weight of 30%.

Marine Pipelines

This module aims to provide you with an in-depth insight into marine pipelines, emphasising the overall design process, pipeline hydraulics analysis, installation methods, environmental loading and stability, materials selection, and corrosion prevention.

This module covers:

  • design overview and process; Diameter and wall thickness; Installation methods; Operation and integrity management; Environmental conditions; Dynamic loading; Lateral stability; Scour; Free span; Trenching
  • internal fluids; Single and two-phase flows; Pressure and thermal profiles; Wax; Hydrate; Thermal insulation; Flow assurance; Drag reduction
  • materials and corrosion; Pipeline material; Steelmaking; Manufacture of linepipe for onshore and offshore applications; Internal corrosion; Corrosion detection and control; External corrosion and mitigation

On completion of the module, you're expected to:

  • have an overview of marine pipelines with regard to their design, installation, operation, and maintenance
  • gain an understanding of some fundamentals of marine pipeline design and analysis
  • apply analysis tools for pipeline hydraulics, multi-phase flows and thermal protection
  • identify the differences between pipe grades and pipe manufacturing methods
  • identify risk areas for internal and external corrosion in marine pipelines and describe the methods for corrosion inspection and control and select appropriate mitigation methods

Assessment will be in the form of coursework.

Dynamics of Floating Offshore Installations

This module aims to provide knowledge in order to understand the factors influencing the dynamic behaviour of floating offshore structures due to environmental forces. It also aims to develop skills in order to predict the dynamic motion response of floating offshore platforms.

This module will teach the following:

Overview of basic design concepts; environmental design considerations; wave, wind and current induced motions and loads; second-order wave induced forces and responses of floating and complaint structures; soil-structure interaction.

On completion of the module the you're expected to be able to:

  • predict the environmental forces and resulting motions of semi-submersibles, floating production, storage and offloading systems, tension leg platforms, SPAR buoys and fixed lattice and gravity type platforms
  • determine the soil-structure interaction for the design of a foundation for a gravity base structure

Assessment and feedback is in the form of an exam: problem-solving on prediction of wave excitation forces on and resulting motions of floating structures and/or the assessment of a foundation of a gravity base structure.

Maritime Safety & Risk

This module aims to demonstrate how the principles and methods of risk analysis are undertaken and reflected in safety assessment. Risk analysis offers a variety of methods, tools and techniques that can be applied in solving problems covering different phases of the life cycle of a vessel (design, construction, operation and end-of-life) and, as such, this module will also elaborate on the practicalities of its application to a range of marine scenarios.

This module covers:

  • safety, risk and risk analysis; key terminology; lessons learnt from past experience; human factors.
  • formal safety assessment
  • hazard Identification
  • frequency analysis and consequence modelling
  • quantitative risk assessment methods
  • risk control and decision support, cost benefit analysis
  • human Factors and Safety culture in the maritime
  • industry guest lectures addressing topical issues related to maritime safety and risk

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

  • understand the concepts and importance of safety, risk and of all requisite fundamentals enabling quantification of risk in the maritime context
  • utilise methods and tools undertaking fundamental studies, specific to any component, system or function and in general first-principles implementation to life-cycle design
  • understand and have experience of the use of risk analysis in the marine field via related case studies (risk-based ship design, operation and regulation).
  • be able to appreciate components of a formal safety assessment and apply it for indicative problems of maritime operations

Assessment and feedback are in the form of one final exam (during Semester-2 diet) and two coursework assignments (assignment-one focusses on accident investigation, assignment-two is a safety assessment case study).

Offshore Structural Integrity

This module aims to provide:

  • principles and methodologies to analyse and evaluate pertinent issues concerning the use of engineering materials and structural integrity in the marine environment
  • practical tools for considering structural integrity and structural fitness-for-service problems throughout the design life cycle in the marine environment

The module will teach the following:

1. Introduction:

  1. Structural design philosophies
  2. In service failure modes (fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion) (overview)
  3. Application of materials testing (tools of failure analysis)
  4. Methodologies of materials and process selection

2. Materials specification and sourcing:

  1. Metallic materials (Steels, Aluminium, and Metal Matrix Composite (MMC))
  2. Mechanical properties, manufacturing methods, deformation and materials forming, standards and Industrial applications
  3. Composite (Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC))
  4. Composite materials in offshore structure

3. Joining and welding:

  1. Advanced manufacturing process
  2. Joining and Welding in metals and composites
  3. Residual stress: origins and measurement of residual stress in Metallic and Composite component

4. Fracture mechanics:

  1. Stress analysis of cracks
  2. Fracture toughness
  3. Connecting the fracture theories, critical crack sizes (ductile vs brittle) & NDE
  4. Limitations of LEFM, Crack Tip Plasticity
  5. Mixed-mode fracture problems, KIc testing
  6. Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM), J-Integral, JIc testing, Application Case Studies
  7. Fractography

5. Fatigue:

  1. Fatigue life analysis
  2. Stress-Life and how to develop and use S-N curve
  3. Cyclic stress/strain behaviour leading to hardening or softening (microstructure origins)
  4. Fatigue crack initiation, damage tolerant lifetime
  5. Corrosion fatigue
  6. Notch effects on fatigue, fatigue crack growth testing
  7. Fatigue fractography case studies

6. Corrosion:

  1. Corrosion prevention and mitigation
  2. Embrittlement mechanisms
  3. Environmentally assisted crack growth

7. Creep and stress rupture:

  1. Time-dependent mechanical behaviour
  2. Mechanisms of creep deformation
  3. Structural changes during creep
  4. Creep-fatigue interaction
  5. Creep under combined stresses

8. Nondestructive evaluation:

  1. Introduction to methods for determining the presence of defects and their size
  2. Structural health monitoring
  3. Inspection reliability
  4. Defect and remaining life assessment

On completion of the module, you're expected to be able to:

  • show a systematic understanding of structural integrity and fitness-for-service issues
  • demonstrate an in-depth awareness of the current practice and its limitations in aspects of structural integrity
  • develop a critical and analytical approach towards the engineering aspects of structural integrity
  • be able to confidently assess the applicability of the tools of structural integrity to new problems and apply them appropriately

Assessment and feedback are in the form of coursework.

Design & Construction of Floating, Production, Storage & Offloading Vessels

This module aims to introduce the shipbuilding technologies and equipment used in the construction of FPSO vessels. It will also provide an introduction to the ship design process as applied to FPSO vessels.

This module will teach the following:

FPSO Construction:

  • overview of facilities for shipbuilding
  • the shipbuilding process including the integration of hull construction, outfitting and painting
  • the role of product definition

FPSO Design:

  • functional requirements and design drivers
  • typical layouts and sizes
  • hullform and marine system arrangements
  • platform-topsides interfaces
  • comparison of new-build and conversion approaches
  • design process and schedules

On completion of the module the you're expected to be able to:

  • understand the technologies and processes involved in constructing FPSO vessels
  • appreciate the interaction between design and construction of FPSO vessels, especially in relation to conversions
  • understand the relationships between functional requirements and design solutions for FPSO vessels
  • demonstrate their awareness of the importance of marine systems and the platform-topsides interface in a successful solution

Assessment and feedback are in the form of coursework. You'll carry out the coursework in groups using the knowledge taught during lectures and tutorials and by referring to the other literature resources.

Theory & Practice of Marine Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

This module aims to introduce you to the theoretical background of marine CFD using the finite volume method. It also aims to illustrate the key ideas related to discretisation and solution of the fluid flow governing equations for incompressible flows. This module also aims to discuss some key issues related to the use of CFD packages in practical applications

This module covers:

  • briefing of basic CFD procedure
  • introduce fluid flow governing equations and their simplified forms
  • introduce CFD mesh generation
  • discretisation of governing equations and boundary conditions
  • introduce temporal discretisation
  • the solution of discretised equations
  • CFD software package use

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

  • be familiar with the basis for the key equations of CFD for incompressible flow in finite volume form
  • understand in principle how these equations may be discretised and solved numerically
  • apply commercial CFD package to simple two-dimensional engineering problem

Assessments are in the form of exam.

Group Design Project

The overall aim of the module is to provide you with an enriched experience in the selection, conceptualisation and designing of a novel vessel or an offshore asset. The group projects will also include a thorough market review, concept and focused design studies and techno-economic analysis in a simulated design project environment. It will also provide you with an opportunity to present their project outputs to a panel involving academic/industry staff.

This module covers:

  • development of a broad but nevertheless critical review of prospects for techno-economic growth in maritime related activities in a particular context/area of the world
  • proposal and evaluation of specific design-related activities with a view to developing a design project to a concept level but with substantial calculations in at least one design objective
  • demonstration of analytical ability and understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving techniques, creativity and self-reflection
  • the ability to present and defend the design choices to a panel.

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

  • identify and prioritize the key-design issues along with their basic interrelations in the context of naval architecture
  • materialize a design project according to a given timeline through design steps along the key-design-issues priority path
  • work efficiently and openly in a collaborative context involving different cultures and expertise
  • choose at each design step the proper rationally-based computation methods

Assessment and feedback are in the form of either design report or presentation. There will be five tasks: each task may include the submission of a design report or an oral presentation followed by questions from the lecturers and the advisory groups.

Research Project

The research project is a ‘mini’ MSc individual project, with the main focus on critical review, identifying and selecting research areas and planning.

This will lead to the MSc thesis in the second year.

Risers & Mooring Lines

This module aims to:

  • give an overview of the current deep-water oil and gas developments around the world and the technical challenges in terms of riser and mooring line design
  • demonstrate methods for modelling and analysing risers and mooring lines

This module covers:

  • oil & gas field development options: platform types, marine riser systems, current design trends and deep-water challenges
  • riser systems: flexible pipe structure, typical configurations, top-tensioned vertical risers, hybrid risers.
  • flow assurance: multi-phase flow, deposition of solids, thermal management
  • riser analysis: governing equations, boundary conditions, natural frequency
  • mooring lines: typical mooring configuration, material and construction, anchors and ancillary equipment, static mooring line analysis
  • vortex induced vibration: drag, vortex shedding, surface roughness, lift, Strouhal number, VIV assessment, fatigue life calculation

On completion of the module you're expected to have

  • an overview of mooring lines and marine risers for deep-water floating offshore platforms
  • an understanding of the generic hydrodynamic issues
  • a grasp of the analytical/numerical methods for analysing risers and mooring lines

You'll carry out the coursework individually using the knowledge taught during lectures and computer lab sessions.

Instructional classes

  • Structural Analysis of Ships & Offshore Structures
  • Ship Design
  • Ship Vibration
  • Master Thesis

Elective classes

Elective classes

  • Seakeeping of Ships and Laboratory on NA
  • Non-Linear Structural Analysis
  • Fatigue Strength of Ships & Offshore Structures
  • Arctic Technology
  • Innovative CFD Approaches
  • Manoeuvrability & Shallow Water Ship Hydrodynamics

Chat to a student ambassador

If you want to know more about what it’s like to be an Engineering student at the University of Strathclyde, a selection of our current students are here to help!

Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.

Chat now!

Learning & teaching

You’ll study at the University of Strathclyde in Year 1.

You'll study at Hamburg University in Year 2.

You can choose the moving date which may depend on your research project. This can be supervised in conjunction with a TUHH professor.

Lectures in Hamburg are held in English. You’ll attend lectures between October and February and then complete exams between February and March.

Following March, you’ll complete your dissertation.

Assessment

Assessment is through written examinations, coursework assignments and an individual project thesis. There are teamwork exercises assessed on a continuous basis.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, (IMarEST) on behalf of the UK Engineering Council.

Facilities

We have excellent teaching facilities at the University of Strathclyde including:

  • Catalina - our departmental racing yacht
  • Kelvin Hydrodynamics Lab - the largest ship-model experiment tank in any UK university
  • Towing/wave tank exclusively for teaching purposes
  • Marine engine laboratory
  • Cutting-edge computer facilities
  • Industry standard software

Student competitions

The Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering supports and promotes students in various competitions and awards, from cash bursaries for top performing students to the highest of awards from international organisations.

In recent years students from NAOME have been triumphant in the following high profile competitions:

  • Science, Engineering & Technology Student of the Year (SET Awards)
  • Best Maritime Technology Student (SET Awards)
  • Double winner of BP’s Ultimate Field Trip Competition
  • Strathclyder of the Year
Back to course

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Normally a first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent), in a marine or marinerelated engineering subject. Knowledge of structural mechanics,hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, ship resistance and propulsion and ship design is essential.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.

Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.

Please note: Previous Maths & English qualifications and your undergraduate degree must meet GTCS minimum entry requirements as well as the pre-Masters course and an interview will be conducted before an offer can be made.

International students

We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.

Visit our international students' section

Back to course

Fees & funding

The MSc Ship & Offshore Technology is a two-year joint course delivered in conjunction with Hamburg University of Technology. Tuition fees are paid in two instalments as outlined below.

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.

Annual revision of fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.

Go back
Scotland

£13,500

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

£13,500

International

£30,200

Additional costs

Course materials & costs

Printing Services Printing: Prices variable per size

Binding: £3 per copy approx.

Placements & field trips

Travel to the Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory may be required depending on selected courses. Frequency variable: Average 5 visits if relevant to subjects. Bus fare is £2-3 each way.

Other costs

Access cards are provided free of charge. £10 charge to replace a lost card.

Visa & immigration

International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information.

Available scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities.

Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.

How can I fund my course?

Go back

Scottish postgraduate students

Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Go back

Students coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Go back

Students coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Go back

Students coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Go back

International students

We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships

If you're an international applicant applying for a full-time, on-campus postgraduate taught course in the Faculty of Engineering, you'll be eligible to apply for a scholarship award equivalent to a 15% reduction of your fees, which will typically be up to £4,240. In addition to this, we also have a limited number of Dean’s International Excellence Awards for our postgraduate taught applicants. These scholarships are worth £5,000 and £8,000 and will be offered to exceptional applicants at postgraduate taught level only. Applicants need to only submit one application and will be considered for all levels of postgraduate taught scholarships.

Scholarships are available for applicants to all self-funded, new international (non-EU) fee-paying students holding an offer of study for a full-time, on-campus postgraduate taught course in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

Please note you must have an offer of study for a full-time course at Strathclyde before applying. You must start your full-time postgraduate taught course at Strathclyde in the coming academic year (2024-25), this can be in September 2024 or January 2025.

The deadline for applications for the Dean’s International Excellence Award is 28 June 2024. 

Faculty of Engineering Scholarships for International Students
Back to course

Careers

There are opportunities for you to work in:

  • Oil & gas companies
  • Shipbuilding companies
  • Classification societies
  • Firms specialising in riser and mooring analysis
  • Marine consultancies

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Life in Glasgow

Back to course

Apply

During the application process, you're required to upload the following supporting documents. If these are not provided, we'll not be able to process your application:

  • certified individual semester mark sheets/academic transcript showing subjects taken and grades achieved for all qualifications
    • if still studying, provide individual semester mark sheets to date
  • certified degree certificate for all qualifications
    • if still studying, provide this after completing the qualification
  • provide evidence of suitable English language proficiency if English is not your first language, or you're not from a “UKVI recognised "Majority English Speaking" country”; check the University’s language requirements
  • if you have been out of full-time education for over two years, provide a CV, detailing employment history, organisations worked for and a brief description of roles and responsibilities
  • a copy of your passport containing your photo and passport number
  • a copy of your sponsor letter/scholarship award (if appropriate) 
  • names, job titles and email addresses for two nominated referees

Start date: Sep 2024

Ship and Offshore Technology

MSc
full-time
Start date: Sep 2024

Back to course

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering

Telephone: +44 (0)141 574 5484

Email: eng-admissions@strath.ac.uk