Master’s in Class Rules and Verification Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in class rules engineering and verification, structured in 12 modules covering IACS rules, materials certification, plan approval, FEM direct calculations, surveys and class notations, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret the structure of class rules and IACS requirements.
Verify materials and their certification.
Review plans and structural calculations for approval.
Apply direct analyses according to classification criteria.
Plan surveys during construction.
Manage surveys, damage and conditions of class.
Select class notations for new technologies.
Who it's for
- Classification surveyors looking to deepen their command of rules and verification.
- Plan approval engineers.
- Naval structural analysts.
- Maritime quality auditors.
- Technical superintendents at shipowners and managers.
- Equipment type approval engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join a classification society.
What you'll work with
- IACS UR S (hull strength)
- IACS CSR (common structural rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers)
- IACS UR W (materials and welding)
- IACS UR Z (surveys)
- Directive 2014/90/EU (marine equipment)
- Regulation (EC) No 391/2009 (ship inspection and survey organisations)
- RO Code, Resolution MSC.349(92) (recognised organisations)
- IACS QSCS (quality system certification scheme)
- DNV Nauticus Hull
- MARS2000
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Femap
- NAPA Steel
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Structure of a classification rulebook1.2Typical parts, chapters and sections1.3IACS Unified Requirements (UR)1.4Unified Interpretations (UI)1.5IACS Recommendations and Procedures1.6Main and additional class notations1.7Rules for special vessels1.8Rule update cycle1.9Relationship between rules and conventions1.10Case study: comparative reading of two rulebooks
2.1Normal and high-strength shipbuilding steels2.2Tensile, Charpy and bend tests2.3Material certification 3.1 and 3.22.4Castings and forgings2.5Marine aluminium alloys2.6Materials for cryogenic service2.7Approval of steel manufacturers2.8Material traceability2.9Testing witnessed by the classification society2.10Practical exercise: review of a material certificate
3.1Documentation to be submitted for approval3.2Review of the midship section3.3Longitudinal strength calculations3.4Scantlings of double bottom and side shell3.5Watertight bulkheads and their stiffeners3.6Fore and aft structures3.7Comments and their close-out3.8Approval of direct calculations3.9Deadlines and coordination with the shipyard3.10Workshop: plan review of a midship section
4.1Classification society modelling requirements4.2Global ship models4.3Cargo hold models4.4Local stress analysis4.5Yield and buckling criteria4.6Spectral fatigue analysis4.7Hot spots and fine meshing4.8Model verification4.9Direct calculation report4.10Lab: cargo hold FEM model for verification
5.1Rules for engines and gearboxes5.2Shafting, propellers and alignment5.3Boilers and pressure vessels5.4Piping systems and their classification5.5Bilge and ballast systems5.6Fuel oil systems5.7Electrical installations according to the rules5.8Automation and the UMS notation5.9Steering gear and rudder5.10Practical exercise: verification of a bilge system
6.1Type approval of equipment6.2Certification of individual products6.3Certification modules6.4Factory inspection6.5Prototype testing6.6Marine Equipment Directive (MED)6.7Wheel mark6.8Mutual recognition between societies6.9Database of approved products6.10Case study: type approval process for a pump
7.1Shipyard inspection plan7.2Mandatory inspection points7.3Weld inspection and NDT7.4Tightness testing7.5Testing of tanks and compartments7.6PSPC coating inspection7.7Machinery testing7.8Sea trials7.9Class certificate7.10Workshop: construction inspection plan for a block
8.1Survey schedule8.2Annual and intermediate surveys8.3Class renewal8.4Bottom survey8.5Continuous survey of machinery8.6Thickness measurement8.7Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP)8.8Tailshaft survey8.9Remote inspection with drones8.10Practical exercise: scope of a five-yearly class renewal
9.1Assessment of structural damage9.2Conditions of class and recommendations9.3Permanent and temporary repairs9.4Approval of repairs9.5Allowable thickness diminution9.6Buckling and deformations9.7Cracks and their repair9.8Suspension and withdrawal of class9.9Communication with the flag State9.10Case study: managing hull damage
10.1Ice class notations10.2Dynamic positioning notations10.3Voluntary environmental notations10.4Gas-ready and alternative fuel notations10.5Cyber security notations10.6Battery notations10.7Digital and smart notations10.8Autonomous and remotely controlled ships10.9Qualification of new technologies10.10Workshop: selection of notations for a newbuilding
11.1IACS QSCS requirements11.2RO Code requirements11.3Quality audits11.4Surveyor competence11.5Management of non-conformities11.6Independence and impartiality11.7Surveyor's professional liability11.8Transparency and communication11.9Performance indicators11.10Practical exercise: internal audit of an approval process
12.1Selection of the ship or system12.2Identification of applicable rules12.3Design verification12.4Inspection plan12.5Evaluation of results12.6Proposal for improvements12.7Technical conclusions and future lines of work12.8Review with the thesis supervisor12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DNV Nauticus Hull, MARS2000, ANSYS Mechanical, Femap and NAPA Steel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real verification procedures: verification of a midship section against the rules, finite element direct analysis of a cargo hold and planning of class surveys. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IACS UR S, IACS CSR, IACS UR W, IACS UR Z, Directive 2014/90/EU, Regulation (EC) No 391/2009, RO Code (Resolution MSC.349(92)), IACS QSCS.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DNV Nauticus Hull, MARS2000, ANSYS Mechanical, Femap and NAPA Steel, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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