Course overview
Our degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering focuses on the design and operation of marine vehicles and offshore infrastructure. You’ll learn how to design specialist systems using the latest technologies.
We design our curriculum and projects with leading companies. You’ll take part in our annual design pitch, where you can showcase your project work to industry partners.
You’ll work on projects in multidisciplinary teams, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as:
- energy applications
- marine vehicles
- marine technologies
- ship design.
You’ll develop the technical and professional skills needed for the digital age.
BEng or MEng?
Both our BEng and MEng degrees provide a pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer. This is one of the most recognisable international engineering qualifications.
Our MEng degrees are a direct route to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You don’t need to study any more qualifications after your degree to work towards chartered status.
Our three-year BEng degrees can also lead to Chartered Engineer status. However, you’ll need to complete further study, such as an approved master’s degree.
Transfer from a BEng to an MEng degree is possible up to the end of Stage 3 if you achieve the appropriate academic standard.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
- Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA)This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics I | 20 |
| Electrical and Magnetic Systems | 15 |
| Electronics and Sensors | 10 |
| Thermofluid Mechanics | 15 |
| Properties & Behaviour of Engineering Materials | 15 |
| Mechanics I | 15 |
| Marine Design and Professional Skills | 30 |
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics II | 10 |
| AC Electrical Power and Conversion | 10 |
| Business and Law for Engineers | 10 |
| Further Naval Architecture | 20 |
| Marine Engineering II | 20 |
| Ship Hydrodynamics | 20 |
| Applications of Engineering II | 10 |
| Marine Structures I | 20 |
You’ll continue with core modules to develop your knowledge of the essentials of the subject. You’ll study specialist modules including ship and system design; and marine production management. You’ll also complete a dissertation.
Modules
Compulsory Modules
Marine Transport Business (10 credits)
Ship and System Design (30 credits)
Marine Engineering III (20 credits)
Further Ship Hydrodynamics (20 credits)
Marine Production Management (10 credits)
Dissertation in Maritime Engineering (30 credits)
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Contact hours will be a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars from invited speakers in industry and academia
- practical work
Skills and experience
Practical skills
You’ll gain hands-on experience with our experimental facilities, including a model-testing tank, extensive computing facilities and the largest commercial propeller test tunnel in the country.
You’ll enjoy a variety of visits during your studies, including local and national marine production facilities, offshore rigs and platform-building sites.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You’ll be part of the School of Engineering and you’ll learn in state-of-the-art labs and fantastic facilities, many of which are unique to Newcastle University. You’ll have access to our:
- unique large-scale laboratories to help you learn and understand concepts taught in class
- Blythe Marine Station and our high-speed research vessel, The Princess Royal
- cavitation tunnel to test models of propellers, turbines, submarines and more
- towing tank to conduct ship and offshore model tests
- combined wind, wave and current tank to experience modelling of the full offshore environment
- hydrodynamics laboratory with wave-making and electronic recording equipment
- engine laboratories, which include facilities to test diesel engines
- dedicated computer cluster running specialist marine design software
- university, regional and national HPCs (High-Performance Computing)
- specialist marine technical library and historical archive
Support
At Newcastle, you’ll join a vibrant, global community of staff and students in the School of Engineering.
To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a start-up pack containing essential personal protective equipment.
You’ll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
Join a network of successful graduates
You’ll benefit from our strong industrial links with:
- Lloyd’s Register
- Babcock
- BP
- BAE Systems
- the Royal Navy
Recent graduates have taken up roles such as:
- Royal Navy officer
- product engineer
- marine engineer
Be part of a thriving sector
The marine technology sector is currently thriving worldwide and in many areas there are acute shortages of skilled personnel.
UK-based and multinational companies have a demand for degree-qualified:
- marine engineers
- naval architects
- experts in computer-aided design
- engineering specialists
- production specialists and managers
- surveyors
- research and policy development
A large proportion of Marine Technology graduates find employment in:
- the ship and offshore construction industry
- shipping and offshore companies
- government departments
- classification societies
- regulatory agencies and consultancy firms
- offshore renewable energy generation
The development of deep-water oil and gas recovery has increased demand for specialists in the design and operation of offshore vessels and processing plants.
An increasing number of graduates enter careers in the design and manufacture of yachts, luxury cruisers and high-speed passenger craft.
A number of our students also go on to postgraduate study and research into new technologies.
Careers support
You’ll be given networking opportunities through our close connections to industry and professional marine organisations.
We also organise a marine careers fair every year, attracting graduate recruiters such as:
- Lloyd’s Register
- Babcock
- BP
- BAE Systems
- the Royal Navy
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Additional information
Singapore study option (international students)
Working with the Singapore Institute of Technology, Newcastle University offers full-time BEng Honours degrees in Singapore, in:
- Marine Engineering
- Offshore Engineering
- Naval Architecture
These provide international students with the opportunity to study marine technology subjects from Newcastle University in Singapore.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| ABB including Mathematics or Further Mathematics. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 points with Mathematics at Higher Level grade 5. | |
