Master of Engineering (Maritime)

The Master of Engineering (Maritime) at Adelaide University is a two-year postgraduate qualification for engineers who want to work in the maritime sector, ships, ports, offshore structures, coastal infrastructure and the systems that keep them running. You will study areas such as naval architecture, marine structures, hydrodynamics, marine propulsion and systems, maritime safety and risk, and the management of marine engineering projects. The exact mix of core and elective units is set out in the official course structure, so check the university's page for the current list.

As a master's degree, this sits at level 9 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. A master's is normally one to two years of full-time study, and this one is two years, which usually means 16 units across four semesters or trimesters. Each unit carries a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required total to graduate. Many Australian master's programmes finish with a capstone project, a design project or a research thesis in the final year. Engineering degrees often include work-integrated learning, a placement, an industry project or a cadetship, and maritime engineering is a field where that industry exposure matters, because you learn how classification societies, shipyards, port authorities and marine insurers actually operate. Confirm the placement or project requirements on the official course page.

You will build skills in engineering analysis, design, modelling and simulation, plus the practical judgement to work within maritime regulations and safety standards. Communication, teamwork and project management are part of it too, because maritime projects involve naval architects, marine engineers, surveyors, regulators and clients working together. Graduates typically move into roles with shipbuilders, port and harbour authorities, offshore energy companies, classification societies, marine consultancies and government maritime agencies. Some go on to further research.

This course suits you if you already hold an engineering degree, or a closely related qualification, and want to specialise in the maritime field, or if you are an engineer looking to move into shipping, offshore or port work. Adelaide has a working port and a marine engineering and defence industry presence, so there are local connections to draw on. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may allow you to stay and work after you finish, subject to the Department of Home Affairs requirements. English proficiency is required; the university publishes its accepted tests and scores. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 115911E. Check the official page for current entry requirements, unit lists and fees.

• Marine engineer, working on vessel systems, propulsion and machinery with shipping companies, shipyards or the Australian Navy's support contractors.
• Naval architect, designing and analysing hulls, structures and stability for shipbuilders, design consultancies and defence programmes.
• Port and harbour engineer, planning and maintaining wharves, channels, breakwaters and cargo-handling infrastructure for port authorities.
• Offshore engineer, supporting offshore oil, gas and wind projects, including subsea structures and installation engineering.
• Marine surveyor, inspecting vessels and marine equipment for classification societies, insurers or the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
• Maritime project engineer, managing the delivery of marine construction, dredging and vessel refit projects.
• Marine systems and safety engineer, developing safety cases, risk assessments and compliance documentation for marine operations.
• Consulting engineer, providing maritime engineering advice to law firms, insurers, government agencies and private clients.

Hiring industries in Australia include shipbuilding and ship repair, ports and stevedoring, offshore energy, defence, marine insurance and surveying, government maritime regulators, and engineering consultancies. Some graduates continue to a doctorate and a research career.