Master’s in Naval Welding, Joining and Coatings Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in naval welding, joining and coatings engineering: 12 modules covering welding metallurgy and processes, joint design, procedure qualification, NDT, distortion control, special materials, robotics, marine corrosion and coating systems, with an assigned technical tutor.
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What you will be able to do
Understand the welding metallurgy of shipbuilding steels.
Select the right welding process for each joint.
Write and qualify welding procedures.
Apply non-destructive testing and acceptance criteria.
Control distortion and residual stresses.
Specify anti-corrosion protection systems.
Plan repairs of joints and coatings.
Who it's for
- Naval welding engineers seeking deeper expertise in procedures, metallurgy and quality.
- Welding coordinators responsible for WPS, welder qualification and ISO 3834 compliance.
- NDT inspectors who want a broader view of welded joint design and acceptance.
- Coating inspectors working on ballast tanks, cargo tanks and hull protection.
- Corrosion engineers in shipbuilding, ship repair or offshore.
- Shipyard quality technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join shipyards.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3834 (quality requirements for welding)
- ISO 15614-1 (welding procedure qualification)
- ISO 9606-1 (welder qualification)
- ISO 5817 (quality levels for imperfections)
- Resolution MSC.215(82) PSPC (performance standard for protective coatings)
- ISO 8501-1 (preparation of steel surfaces)
- ISO 9712 (qualification of NDT personnel)
- IACS UR W (materials and welding)
- SYSWELD
- Simufact Welding
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Olympus OmniPC
- AutoCAD
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Shipbuilding steels from grade A to EH471.2Carbon equivalent and weldability1.3Thermal cycles and the heat-affected zone1.4Microstructural transformations in steel1.5Cold and hydrogen cracking1.6Hot cracking1.7Preheating and interpass temperature1.8Charpy toughness of the joint1.9Post-weld heat treatments1.10Practical exercise: calculating preheat to EN 1011-2
2.1SMAW covered electrode2.2MAG welding with solid wire2.3FCAW flux-cored wire2.4SAW submerged arc on panels2.5TIG welding of pipework2.6Electrogas and electroslag welding of vertical joints2.7Shielding gases and consumables2.8Electrical parameters and power sources2.9Comparative productivity of processes2.10Lab: setting FCAW welding parameters
3.1Butt and fillet joint types3.2Edge preparation and bevels3.3Welding symbols to ISO 25533.4Sizing of fillet welds3.5Full and partial penetration joints3.6Cruciform joints and lamination3.7Stress concentrations3.8Fatigue details in ship structures3.9Class rule requirements3.10Workshop: joint design for a hatch coaming
4.1Welding procedure specifications (WPS)4.2Procedure qualification records (PQR) to ISO 156144.3Welder qualification to ISO 9606-14.4Welding operator qualification to ISO 147324.5Approval of consumables by the classification society4.6Welding coordination to ISO 147314.7Quality requirements to ISO 38344.8Records and traceability4.9Auditing welding workshops4.10Practical exercise: writing a WPS for 25 mm plate
5.1Visual testing to ISO 176375.2Liquid penetrant testing5.3Magnetic particle testing5.4Radiography and digital radiography5.5Conventional ultrasonic testing5.6Phased array and TOFD5.7Acceptance levels to ISO 58175.8NDT personnel qualification to ISO 97125.9Classification society NDT plans5.10Lab: phased array inspection of a butt joint
6.1Origin of residual stresses6.2Longitudinal and transverse shrinkage6.3Angular distortion and buckling6.4Numerical welding simulation6.5Welding sequences to minimise distortion6.6Flame straightening6.7Fabrication tolerances for blocks6.83D dimensional measurement6.9Stress relieving6.10Case study: welding sequence for a deck panel
7.1Aluminium alloys 5083 and 60827.2MIG welding of aluminium7.3Steel-aluminium transition joints7.4Duplex stainless steels in chemical tankers7.5Nickel steels for LNG7.6Copper-nickel alloys in seawater piping7.7Friction stir welding (FSW)7.8Structural adhesive joints7.9Joining of composite materials7.10Workshop: aluminium welding procedure for a fast ferry
8.1Mechanised panel welding8.2Welding robots for micro-blocks8.3Offline robot programming8.4Seam tracking and laser sensors8.5Hybrid laser-arc welding8.6In-line parameter monitoring8.7Quality and repeatability8.8Integration with production CAD8.9Return on investment in automation8.10Practical exercise: robotic cell for welding stiffeners
9.1Electrochemical corrosion mechanisms9.2Galvanic corrosion in dissimilar joints9.3Localised and pitting corrosion9.4Stress corrosion cracking9.5Microbiologically influenced corrosion9.6Corrosion zones of the ship9.7Thickness measurement and wastage9.8Corrosion margins in class rules9.9Cathodic protection by anodes and ICCP9.10Case study: corrosion analysis in ballast tanks
10.1Paint types: epoxy, polyurethane and zinc10.2Surface preparation to ISO 8501 and 850310.3Abrasive blasting and cleaning10.4Airless application and environmental control10.5PSPC for ballast tanks10.6Antifouling and the AFS Convention10.7Cargo tank coatings10.8Thickness inspection to ISO 1984010.9Adhesion testing10.10Lab: inspection of an epoxy paint system
11.1Thermal spray metallising11.2Anti-slip deck coatings11.3Passive fire protection11.4Coatings for LNG and ammonia tanks11.5Repair of welds in service11.6Afloat repair welding11.7Paint repair in dry dock11.8Assessment of coating failures11.9Safety in painting work11.10Case study: repair plan for a corroded hull
12.1Definition of the joining or protection problem12.2Selection of materials and processes12.3Procedure design12.4Inspection and test plan12.5Technical and cost assessment12.6Verification of results12.7Technical conclusions and future work12.8Review with the thesis supervisor12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 SYSWELD, Simufact Welding, ANSYS Mechanical, Olympus OmniPC and AutoCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: qualifying a welding procedure, phased array ultrasonic inspection and inspecting paint systems in tanks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 3834, ISO 15614-1, ISO 9606-1, ISO 5817, Resolution MSC.215(82) PSPC, ISO 8501-1, ISO 9712 and IACS UR W.
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 SYSWELD, Simufact Welding, ANSYS Mechanical, Olympus OmniPC and AutoCAD, 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 programme 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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