Master of Philosophy (Maritime Engineering and Technology)

The Master of Philosophy (Maritime Engineering and Technology) at the University of Tasmania is a research master's degree. You spend two years on a single, supervised research project in maritime engineering. That could mean ship structures, marine propulsion, offshore systems, port and coastal engineering, or the technology that keeps vessels and marine infrastructure working. Your thesis is the main output. You work with a supervisor, sometimes a small panel, and you defend the finished piece.

Australian research master's degrees sit at AQF level 9. A master's by research usually runs one to two years full time, and this one is two years. Unlike a coursework master's, you don't collect units across semesters. There are no credit points to accumulate in the same way. Your progress is measured by milestones: a confirmed candidature, a progress review, and a final thesis submission. Some universities add a small coursework component in research methods, but the bulk of your time is your own project. A doctorate is longer, three or more years, and this MPhil can be a step towards one.

Maritime engineering at UTAS has a natural home in Tasmania. The state has a working maritime sector: shipbuilding and refit, aquaculture, Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, and the Australian Maritime College, which is part of the university. Research projects often connect to those industries, and some students spend time with industry partners or research organisations as part of their work. If your project involves sea time, laboratory testing or field work, that is arranged through your supervisor.

This degree suits people who want to research a specific problem rather than sit more coursework. You might be a marine engineer who wants to go deeper into a technical area, or a graduate from a related engineering or science field looking for a research qualification. You need to find a supervisor and a project before you apply, so start there. Check the official course page and the CRICOS register for current details, including tuition and English requirements.

• Marine engineer or naval architect in shipbuilding, ship repair and refit
• Offshore engineering roles in oil, gas and offshore wind
• Port and coastal engineering with port authorities and consultancies
• Research and development in marine technology companies
• Maritime safety and survey work with regulators and classification societies
• Further research, including PhD study

Australian employers in these areas include shipyards, engineering consultancies, port operators, defence contractors, aquaculture companies and research organisations. Graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on the visa rules at the time. While studying, a student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight.