Ship Science with Industrial Placement Year

Ship Science, or naval architecture as it is formally known, is the engineering discipline concerned with the design, construction, and performance of ships and marine structures. It draws on fluid mechanics, structural engineering, materials science, and propulsion systems to create vessels that must be safe, efficient, and seaworthy across a vast range of conditions. As global trade, offshore energy, and marine technology continue to evolve, the skills of naval architects remain in consistent demand worldwide.

This integrated master's degree at the University of Southampton spans five years and includes an industrial placement year, giving you extended experience in a professional engineering environment before you graduate. The course provides a broad mechanical engineering foundation and then applies it specifically to the maritime domain. You will study design, mechanics, and hydrodynamics, developing the analytical tools to model how ships behave in water, how structures respond to loads, and how propulsion systems can be optimised for efficiency and environmental performance.

Southampton's location and its longstanding relationship with the maritime industry mean you will be studying in an environment with strong connections to the sector.

You will develop the capacity to work from first principles, to use computational tools for modelling and simulation, and to communicate technical findings to professional audiences. The integration of an industrial placement into the programme means that by the time you graduate you will have practical experience of applying these skills in real engineering contexts, which is a significant advantage when entering the job market.

Graduates from ship science and naval architecture go on to careers in ship design, offshore engineering, the defence maritime sector, classification societies, and marine consultancy. The oil and gas industry, renewable offshore energy, and port and harbour engineering are also significant employers. The integrated master's award positions graduates well for senior technical and management roles.

Postgraduate research in hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, or maritime systems engineering is a further option for those with an interest in advancing the field.