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Master'sNaval, Offshore & Sports Nautical Applications open

Master’s in Marine Propulsion Systems Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in marine propulsion systems engineering. 12 modules covering propulsion plant architecture, marine diesel, dual-fuel and gas engines, shaft lines and transmission, electric propulsion, auxiliary systems, control and automation, emissions and after-treatment under MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code, reliability and maintenance, trials and commissioning, and classification, 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

Select propulsion plant architectures to suit the ship.

02

Analyse the operation of diesel, dual-fuel and gas engines.

03

Design shaft lines and transmissions.

04

Size electric propulsion and auxiliary systems.

05

Implement control and automation systems.

06

Apply emission reduction solutions.

07

Plan machinery maintenance, trials and classification.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Marine propulsion engineers.
  • Chief engineers.
  • Technical superintendents.
  • Shipyard machinery engineers.
  • Naval automation engineers.
  • Classification society machinery surveyors.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter shipping companies.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SOLAS Chapter II-1 (construction, machinery and electrical installations)
  • MARPOL Annex VI (air pollution from ships)
  • NOx Technical Code 2008 (engine NOx certification)
  • DNV classification rules for machinery
  • ISO 15016:2015 (speed trials)
  • ISO 8528 (generating sets)
  • ISO 20283-4:2012 (vibration of shipboard machinery)
  • GT-SUITE
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • ShaftDesigner
  • DNV Nauticus Machinery
  • AVEVA Marine
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Direct-drive propulsion configurations
  2. 1.2Geared propulsion
  3. 1.3Diesel-electric propulsion with generator sets
  4. 1.4Mechanical hybrid propulsion
  5. 1.5Engine room layout
  6. 1.6Redundancy and class
  7. 1.7Selection by ship type
  8. 1.8Power balance
  9. 1.9Integration with auxiliaries
  10. 1.10Case study: architecture of an offshore supply vessel
  1. 2.1Engine thermodynamic cycles
  2. 2.2Slow-speed two-stroke engines
  3. 2.3Medium-speed four-stroke engines
  4. 2.4Turbocharging
  5. 2.5Common rail electronic injection
  6. 2.6Engine curves and limits
  7. 2.7Engine–propeller matching
  8. 2.8Running-hours-based maintenance
  9. 2.9Combustion diagnostics
  10. 2.10Lab: analysis of cylinder pressure diagrams
  1. 3.1Otto and diesel cycles on gas
  2. 3.2High- and low-pressure engines
  3. 3.3Methane slip
  4. 3.4Fuel gas supply systems
  5. 3.5Knock control
  6. 3.6Fuel changeover
  7. 3.7Part-load performance
  8. 3.8Maintenance of dual-fuel engines
  9. 3.9Applications on LNG carriers and cruise ships
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: comparing low- and high-pressure dual-fuel engines
  1. 4.1Intermediate and tail shafts
  2. 4.2Bearings and stern tubes
  3. 4.3Stern tube sealing
  4. 4.4Shaft alignment
  5. 4.5Torsional vibration analysis
  6. 4.6Axial and lateral vibrations
  7. 4.7Elastic and flexible couplings
  8. 4.8Marine reduction gearboxes
  9. 4.9Clutches and power take-offs
  10. 4.10Workshop: alignment calculation for a shaft line
  1. 5.1Generators and main switchboards
  2. 5.2Induction and synchronous motors
  3. 5.3Frequency converters
  4. 5.4AC and DC distribution
  5. 5.5Power management
  6. 5.6Harmonics and power quality
  7. 5.7Pods and azimuth thrusters
  8. 5.8Dynamic positioning and redundancy
  9. 5.9Efficiency compared with mechanical propulsion
  10. 5.10Lab: simulation of a power management system
  1. 6.1Fuel systems
  2. 6.2Lubrication systems
  3. 6.3Fresh and seawater cooling
  4. 6.4Starting compressed air
  5. 6.5Exhaust gas and economisers
  6. 6.6Fuel treatment
  7. 6.7Bilges and separators
  8. 6.8Engine room ventilation
  9. 6.9Piping diagrams
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: sizing a cooling circuit
  1. 7.1Remote propulsion control
  2. 7.2Controllable-pitch propeller control
  3. 7.3Alarm and monitoring systems
  4. 7.4Unattended machinery space
  5. 7.5Engine safety protections
  6. 7.6Control networks
  7. 7.7Onboard cyber security
  8. 7.8Human–machine interfaces on the bridge
  9. 7.9Commissioning tests
  10. 7.10Case study: control of a controllable-pitch propeller
  1. 8.1Tier II and Tier III NOx standards
  2. 8.2Selective catalytic reduction
  3. 8.3Exhaust gas recirculation
  4. 8.4Sulphur scrubbers
  5. 8.5Particulates and black carbon
  6. 8.6Emission control areas (ECA)
  7. 8.7EIAPP engine certification
  8. 8.8Emissions monitoring
  9. 8.9Urea management
  10. 8.10Workshop: selecting a Tier III system
  1. 9.1Reliability-centred maintenance (RCM)
  2. 9.2Predictive maintenance of engines
  3. 9.3Oil analysis
  4. 9.4Thermography of electrical equipment
  5. 9.5Vibration analysis
  6. 9.6Spare parts management
  7. 9.7Dry-dock planning
  8. 9.8Availability indicators
  9. 9.9Computerised maintenance management
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: condition-based maintenance plan
  1. 10.1Factory acceptance bench tests
  2. 10.2Harbour acceptance tests
  3. 10.3Sea trials
  4. 10.4ISO 15016 speed trials
  5. 10.5Manoeuvring trials
  6. 10.6Vibration measurements
  7. 10.7Redundancy tests
  8. 10.8Delivery documentation
  9. 10.9Guarantees and the guarantee period
  10. 10.10Case study: sea trial protocol
  1. 11.1Classification rules for machinery
  2. 11.2SOLAS Convention for machinery
  3. 11.3MARPOL requirements for machinery
  4. 11.4Class notations
  5. 11.5Plan approval
  6. 11.6Periodic class surveys
  7. 11.7Flag state requirements
  8. 11.8Equipment certificates
  9. 11.9Management of change
  10. 11.10Workshop: approvals list for a propulsion plant
  1. 12.1Definition of the ship and operating profile
  2. 12.2Architecture selection
  3. 12.3Engine sizing
  4. 12.4Shaft line design
  5. 12.5Auxiliary systems design
  6. 12.6Control and automation
  7. 12.7Emissions analysis
  8. 12.8Economic assessment of the plant
  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 materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are 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 GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, ShaftDesigner, DNV Nauticus Machinery and AVEVA Marine, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied through real procedures: sizing the propulsion plant of a supply vessel, calculating the alignment of a shaft line and drawing up the machinery sea trial protocol. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: SOLAS Chapter II-1, MARPOL Annex VI, NOx Technical Code 2008, DNV classification rules for machinery, ISO 15016:2015, ISO 8528, ISO 20283-4:2012.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of SOLAS Chapter II-1, MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code 2008 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, ShaftDesigner, DNV Nauticus Machinery and AVEVA Marine, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The complete design of a ship's propulsion plant, from architecture and engines to shaft line, auxiliaries, emissions and economics, 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.

Plant architecture
Select the propulsion architecture and power balance for the ship's operating profile.
Engine sizing and matching
Size the engines and match them to the propeller.
Shaft line design
Design the shaft line and calculate its alignment and torsional vibration.
Emissions and trials
Select the Tier III solution and draw up the sea trial protocol.
Master's Thesis
Deliver the full propulsion plant design with economic assessment, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Marine propulsion engineerChief engineerTechnical superintendentShipyard machinery engineerNaval automation engineerClassification society machinery surveyor
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's 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.

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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 GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, ShaftDesigner, DNV Nauticus Machinery and AVEVA Marine, 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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