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Master’s in ISM Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in ISM engineering, structured in 12 modules covering the ISM Code, safety management system documentation, emergency preparedness, risk management, incident investigation, audits and safety culture, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the requirements of the ISM Code and how it is applied.

02

Define responsibilities and the role of the Designated Person Ashore.

03

Prepare the documentation of a safety management system.

04

Plan critical operations and emergency response.

05

Investigate accidents and manage non-conformities.

06

Carry out internal audits and prepare for DOC and SMC certification.

07

Promote a safety culture and continuous improvement.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Designated Persons Ashore (DPA).
  • ISM auditors.
  • Safety and quality superintendents.
  • HSEQ managers at shipping companies.
  • Masters with management responsibilities.
  • Safety management consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into shipping companies.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISM Code (International Safety Management Code)
  • SOLAS Chapter IX (management for the safe operation of ships)
  • Resolution A.1118(30) (revised guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations)
  • Regulation (EC) No 336/2006 (implementation of the ISM Code within the Community)
  • MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 (guidelines on maritime cyber risk management)
  • ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety)
  • OCIMF TMSA 3 (Tanker Management and Self Assessment)
  • Helm CONNECT
  • ShipNet
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Power BI
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Accidents that led to the Code
  2. 1.2Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention
  3. 1.3Structure of Parts A and B
  4. 1.4Objectives of safety management
  5. 1.5Key definitions: Company, DOC and SMC
  6. 1.6Application by ship type
  7. 1.7Revised implementation guidelines
  8. 1.8Relationship with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001
  9. 1.9Evolution of the Code and amendments
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the Herald of Free Enterprise accident
  1. 2.1Safety and environmental protection policy
  2. 2.2Company responsibilities and authority
  3. 2.3Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
  4. 2.4Master's authority
  5. 2.5Company organisation chart
  6. 2.6Resources and personnel
  7. 2.7Shore–ship communication
  8. 2.8Management commitment
  9. 2.9Management review
  10. 2.10Workshop: drafting a safety policy
  1. 3.1Safety management manual
  2. 3.2Procedures and instructions
  3. 3.3Checklists
  4. 3.4Document control
  5. 3.5Records and their retention
  6. 3.6Electronic document systems
  7. 3.7Language and crew understanding
  8. 3.8Documentation on board
  9. 3.9Simplifying the SMS
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: designing a bunkering procedure
  1. 4.1Plans for critical operations
  2. 4.2Navigation and watchkeeping
  3. 4.3Cargo operations
  4. 4.4Enclosed space entry
  5. 4.5Hot work
  6. 4.6Permits to work
  7. 4.7Crew familiarisation
  8. 4.8On-board training
  9. 4.9Contractor management
  10. 4.10Case study: enclosed space entry procedure
  1. 5.1Identification of potential emergencies
  2. 5.2Contingency plans
  3. 5.3Drills and exercises
  4. 5.4SOPEP and SMPEP
  5. 5.5Company response
  6. 5.6Coordination with authorities
  7. 5.7Shore-based emergency centre
  8. 5.8Crisis communication
  9. 5.9Evaluation of drills
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: annual drill plan for a ship
  1. 6.1Risk assessment in the SMS
  2. 6.2Hazard identification
  3. 6.3Risk matrices
  4. 6.4Task analysis
  5. 6.5Management of change
  6. 6.6Occupational risks on board
  7. 6.7Navigational risks
  8. 6.8Barriers and controls
  9. 6.9Review of assessments
  10. 6.10Workshop: risk assessment of a mooring operation
  1. 7.1Reporting of non-conformities
  2. 7.2Reporting of accidents and near misses
  3. 7.3Root cause investigation
  4. 7.4Analysis techniques: 5 Whys and TapRooT
  5. 7.5Corrective and preventive actions
  6. 7.6Follow-up of actions
  7. 7.7Just culture principles
  8. 7.8Organisational learning after incidents
  9. 7.9Leading and lagging indicators
  10. 7.10Case study: investigation of a near collision
  1. 8.1Planned maintenance system
  2. 8.2Critical equipment and systems
  3. 8.3Periodic testing of standby equipment
  4. 8.4Spare parts management
  5. 8.5Defects and their reporting
  6. 8.6Company inspections
  7. 8.7Relationship with the classification society
  8. 8.8Maintenance records
  9. 8.9Dry-dock maintenance
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: identifying the critical equipment of a ship
  1. 9.1Internal company audits
  2. 9.2Audits by the Administration
  3. 9.3DOC and SMC: issue and renewal
  4. 9.4Initial, intermediate and renewal audits
  5. 9.5Major non-conformities
  6. 9.6Handling audit observations
  7. 9.7Auditor qualification
  8. 9.8Audit techniques
  9. 9.9Close-out of findings
  10. 9.10Workshop: simulated SMC audit
  1. 10.1Human error and its types
  2. 10.2Fatigue and rest hours
  3. 10.3Bridge Resource Management (BRM)
  4. 10.4Leadership on board
  5. 10.5Communication and cultural diversity
  6. 10.6Safety climate
  7. 10.7Culture surveys
  8. 10.8Safe behaviour programmes
  9. 10.9Well-being and mental health
  10. 10.10Case study: safety culture diagnosis
  1. 11.1Integration with ISPS and MLC
  2. 11.2Cyber security in the SMS
  3. 11.3TMSA for tankers
  4. 11.4Integrated management systems
  5. 11.5Digitalisation of the SMS
  6. 11.6Performance indicators
  7. 11.7Fleet benchmarking
  8. 11.8Management review
  9. 11.9Continuous improvement cycle
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: TMSA self-assessment of a company
  1. 12.1Profile of the company
  2. 12.2Analysis of the existing SMS
  3. 12.3Risk assessment
  4. 12.4SMS improvement proposal
  5. 12.5Audit plan
  6. 12.6Monitoring indicators
  7. 12.7Conclusions and proposals
  8. 12.8Review with the thesis supervisor
  9. 12.9Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

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 Helm CONNECT, ShipNet, Microsoft Excel and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: internal audit of a safety management system, investigation of accidents and near misses, and risk assessment of shipboard operations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISM Code, SOLAS Chapter IX, Resolution A.1118(30), Regulation (EC) No 336/2006, MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3, ISO 45001, OCIMF TMSA 3.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the ISM Code, SOLAS Chapter IX, Resolution A.1118(30) and OCIMF TMSA 3 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Helm CONNECT, ShipNet, Microsoft Excel and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:an analysis and improvement proposal for a company's safety management system, with audit plan and monitoring indicators, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Safety policy and procedures
Draft a safety policy and design a critical procedure such as bunkering or enclosed space entry.
Mooring risk assessment
Carry out a structured risk assessment of a mooring operation with barriers and controls.
Incident investigation
Investigate a near collision using root cause techniques and define corrective actions.
Simulated SMC audit
Run a simulated SMC audit and a TMSA self-assessment of a company.
Master's Thesis
Analysis and improvement of a company's SMS with audit plan and indicators, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Designated Person Ashore (DPA)ISM auditorSafety and quality superintendentShipping company HSEQ managerMaster with management responsibilitiesSafety management consultant
Admissions & scholarships

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.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

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 Helm CONNECT, ShipNet, Microsoft Excel and Power BI, 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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