Do you have a passion for naval architecture and dream of designing the next generation of superyachts? Solent’s unique superyacht design master’s programme – the only one of its kind the UK – blends naval architecture and structural design with management skills to help provide you with essential career-boosting skills.
The course concentrates on sailing and motor yachts over 24 metres in length, and is intended not just for naval architects and students of yacht design, but also now provides suitably qualified marine engineers and certified deck officers with experience of operating superyachts the opportunity to develop their qualifications, where traditionally the career path for yacht officers has not enabled them to progress onto pure naval architecture degrees. The blend of naval architecture (for which sea-going officers will have underpinning knowledge), management and structural design will enable students from these backgrounds to develop their knowledge and understanding, and introduce new and relevant material and subjects for master’s level study.
Course delivery is based on ‘hands-on’ active learning, with an emphasis on developing students’ analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as gaining the appropriate knowledge to tackle an individual design or analysis project. Students benefit from strong industry links built through the University’s highly-regarded yacht engineering undergraduate degrees, as well as experienced teaching staff with industrial and research experience.
Students also have the opportunity to work on ‘real world’ assignments, and to use appropriate experience as a basis for project work. Where possible, ‘real world’ briefs will also be used, and industry guests will be asked to give feedback on work when appropriate. Students on the course with industry experience and/or sponsorship will be asked to incorporate elements of their work in their project.
The course concludes with a final design project where students are able to develop their own design, or investigate aspects of a design. Students will have the opportunity to design, build and test models to use in the towing tank, and will also benefit from access to the CAD suite equipped with industry-standard software to develop and analyse hulls, structure, superstructure and internal designs.
This master’s programme is built on Solent’s world-renowned expertise in delivering yacht design programmes. The course provides an in-depth exploration of a range of design factors and topic areas.
What does this course lead to?
This course can lead to careers in the superyacht industry, such as naval architect, designer, production manager, stylist or systems engineer.
Who is this course for?
This unique master’s programme is perfect for appropriately qualified naval architects or recent yacht engineering graduates. The course is also open to applications from master mariners and chief engineers with relevant experience.
YOUR FUTURE
Students may wish to progress their careers with a PhD in the maritime field.
INDUSTRY LINKS
The course team have extensive links with industry, with companies such as Lloyds Register, QinetiQ, Gurit, Solent Refit, and Alicat, through their own experience and the network of graduates from the yacht engineering undergraduate courses.
Solent University’s yacht engineering students have benefitted from recent guest lectures from Francesco Chivioli, Sunseeker; Tommasso Cigliano ,Humphries Yacht Design; Ben Mancini, X-Yachts; John Haynes, Shock Mitigation Ltd; and independent yacht designer, Joe Brierley.
Student presentations have also previously been assessed by Allan Foot, director of Solent Refit Ltd.
Yacht engineering students have also previously benefitted from industry visits to Green Marine and the International Boat Building College in Portsmouth as part of enrichment weeks.
