Master’s in Regulation, Safety & Classification Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in maritime regulation, safety and classification engineering: 12 modules covering the IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, load lines and stability, classification societies, Common Structural Rules, flag and port State control, formal safety assessment, STCW and MLC, and emerging technologies, 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
Understand the structure and workings of the IMO.
Apply SOLAS, MARPOL and Load Lines requirements.
Understand the classification system and class surveys.
Check structures against the Common Structural Rules.
Manage relations with the flag State and port State.
Assess risks using FSA methodologies.
Analyse the regulation of emerging maritime technologies.
Who it's for
- Classification society surveyors.
- Port State control inspectors.
- Technical superintendents responsible for fleet compliance.
- Maritime regulatory consultants.
- Fleet compliance managers at shipping companies.
- Maritime administration technical staff.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join classification societies.
What you'll work with
- SOLAS 74 (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea)
- MARPOL 73/78 (prevention of pollution from ships)
- International Convention on Load Lines 1966 (freeboard and load lines)
- ISM Code (International Safety Management)
- 2008 IS Code (intact stability)
- STCW 78 (training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers)
- MLC 2006 (Maritime Labour Convention)
- RO Code, Resolution MSC.349(92) (recognised organisations)
- NAPA
- DNV Nauticus Hull
- MARS2000
- Microsoft Excel
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1History and structure of the IMO1.2The MSC, MEPC and FAL committees1.3Process for adopting conventions1.4Amendments by tacit acceptance1.5Mandatory and recommendatory codes1.6The IMSAS audit scheme1.7Participation of States and NGOs1.8Relationship with the ILO1.9Regional bodies and the EU1.10Case study: tracking an amendment through the MSC
2.1Structure of SOLAS2.2Construction and subdivision2.3Probabilistic damage stability2.4Fire protection2.5Life-saving appliances (LSA)2.6Radiocommunications and the GMDSS2.7Safety of navigation2.8Carriage of cargoes2.9Safety management2.10Practical exercise: checking SOLAS requirements on a ro-pax
3.1MARPOL Annexes I to VI3.2The BWM Convention on ballast water3.3The AFS Convention on anti-fouling systems3.4The Hong Kong Convention3.5Special areas and ECAs3.6Record books and documentation3.7Pollution prevention equipment3.8Survey and certification3.9Liability regime3.10Workshop: MARPOL document audit of an oil tanker
4.1The 1966 Load Lines Convention4.2Freeboard calculation4.3Conditions of assignment4.4The 1969 Tonnage Convention4.5The 2008 IS Code4.6Weather criterion and rolling4.7Stability with icing4.8Inclining test4.9Stability booklet4.10Case study: freeboard calculation for a cargo ship
5.1History and role of classification5.2IACS and unified requirements5.3Class rules and notations5.4Assignment and maintenance of class5.5Annual, intermediate and renewal surveys5.6Delegation to recognised organisations5.7The IMO RO Code5.8Liability of classification societies5.9Transfer of class5.10Practical exercise: survey plan for a 10-year-old ship
6.1Origin of the CSR6.2Design loads6.3Hull girder strength6.4Scantlings of plating and stiffeners6.5Fatigue in the CSR6.6Net corrosion margins6.7Goal-based new ship construction standards (GBS)6.8Compliance verification6.9Rule calculation tools6.10Lab: CSR check of a midship section
7.1Obligations of the flag State7.2Ship registration7.3Delegation to recognised organisations7.4The III Code7.5Issuing statutory certificates7.6Inspection of national ships7.7Accident investigation7.8Open registers and flags of convenience7.9Flag quality7.10Case study: analysis of a flag's performance
8.1The Paris Memorandum of Understanding8.2The New Inspection Regime (NIR)8.3Ship risk profile8.4The EMSA THETIS database8.5Deficiencies and detentions8.6Concentrated inspection campaigns8.7Other regional memoranda8.8Appealing against detentions8.9Preparing for inspections8.10Workshop: preparing a ship for a PSC inspection
9.1Formal Safety Assessment (FSA)9.2Risk analysis in design9.3Alternative design under SOLAS II-2/179.4Human factors in safety9.5The ISM Code and operational safety9.6Accident investigation under the Casualty Investigation Code9.7Lessons from historical accidents9.8Safety of autonomous ships9.9Safety culture9.10Practical exercise: simplified FSA study
10.1The STCW Convention and its amendments10.2Certification of competence10.3The Maritime Labour Convention MLC 200610.4Hours of work and rest10.5Minimum safe manning10.6Living conditions on board10.7Simulator-based training10.8Health and wellbeing10.9Inspection of MLC compliance10.10Case study: verifying MLC compliance
11.1Autonomous ships and the MASS Code11.2Alternative fuels and the IGF Code11.3Regulation of maritime cybersecurity11.4Batteries and electric propulsion11.5Regulation of GHG emissions11.6Class notations for new technologies11.7Technology qualification11.8Regulation of floating wind11.9The goal-based approach11.10Workshop: regulatory pathway for an ammonia-fuelled ship
12.1Definition of the regulatory case12.2Analysis of applicable requirements12.3Compliance assessment12.4Risk analysis12.5Proposed measures12.6Certification plan12.7Conclusions and proposals12.8Review 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 NAPA, DNV Nauticus Hull, MARS2000 and Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: assessing a ship's regulatory compliance, preparing for class and PSC inspections and calculating freeboard and stability. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: SOLAS 74, MARPOL 73/78, International Convention on Load Lines 1966, ISM Code, 2008 IS Code, STCW 78, MLC 2006 and RO Code (Resolution MSC.349(92)).
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 NAPA, DNV Nauticus Hull, MARS2000 and Microsoft Excel, 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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