On this Yacht and High-performance Craft engineering MSc degree you’ll specialise in the analysis, design and performance of yachts, small craft and high-performance vessels. You’ll also gain an understanding of the fixed and offshore structures that help them to function. You'll graduate with the specialist skills in maritime engineering science to design and analyse marine craft and structures.
This Maritime Engineering Science: Yacht and High-performance Craft MSc is one of 5 maritime engineering science specialisms you can study at the University of Southampton.
This master's degree covers the core subjects and in-depth knowledge of maritime engineering science for both design and analysis of marine craft and structures within the marine environment.
If you have a first degree in engineering, science or maths and are looking for a career in the maritime sector and yacht design degree to study, this could be the course for you. We'll also consider you if you have relevant experience. You don’t need specialist knowledge of the subject, as we’ll teach you the fundamentals of ship science.
Specialist yacht engineering modules on this MSc programme, will give you a chance to explore the performance and design of a variety of high-performance small craft including:
You'll discover how to calculate a vessel's performance as you learn about common types of full-scale trials. You’ll gain key skills in areas like force balance, drag breakdowns, resistance approximations and stability.
Through design-oriented work, you’ll find out how the basic mechanics in each case are applied – first through simplified scenarios and then through more complex engineering design.
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. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes .
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
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.
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:
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.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications .
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 1 September 2027, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 18 August 2027, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.