Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

This master's programme offers complete training in the latest technologies applied to shipbuilding and ship repair. You will work with welding processes, materials, distortion control and assembly techniques, including non-destructive testing and quality documentation.

Duration1,500 h

ModeOnline

Start1 December

Modules11

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About the programme

What is the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques?

This master's degree offers comprehensive training in the technologies and methodologies of shipbuilding and ship repair.

You will study advanced materials, specialised welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW and SAW), non-destructive quality control, structural assembly, drawing interpretation and regulations, and the management of shipbuilding projects. The programme prepares you to lead welding and assembly projects with efficiency, safety and precision.

The programme stands out for its intensive simulation and practice, its preparation for the professional certification examinations recognised in the marine industry, and a master's final project applied to a real case.

Programme typeMaster’s degree

ModeOnline

Duration1,500 hours

Modules11

Start1 December

Programme highlights

Cutting-edge welding: advanced techniques applied to the marine sector.
Expert ship assembly: best practice for assembling complex structures.
Simulation and modelling: software to simulate welding and assembly and optimise results.
Innovative materials: properties and applications of modern materials in shipbuilding.
Professional profile: a qualification oriented towards leading companies in the sector.
Specialise and become a reference in welding and ship assembly.

Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of advanced marine welding, metal fabrication and structural assembly in shipbuilding and ship repair

1.1. Concept of marine welding and differences between general industrial welding, marine structural welding and specialised ship assembly
1.2. Evolution of joining and fabrication techniques in shipyards, ship repair, offshore and the construction of maritime structures
1.3. Relationship between structural design, materials, welding processes, assembly sequence and final quality of the ship
1.4. Types of ship structures: hull, decks, bulkheads, stiffeners, superstructures, tanks, blocks and modules
1.5. Constraints of the marine environment: corrosion, fatigue, dynamic loads, vibration, humidity, salinity and limited access
1.6. Role of welding in the strength, watertightness, durability and structural safety of vessels and offshore platforms
1.7. Interaction between engineering, production, quality, inspection, safety and planning in welding and ship assembly work
1.8. Main defects, risks and failures associated with welded joints in structures exposed to marine service
1.9. Current trends in automation, robotics, modular prefabrication and digital control of marine welding processes
1.10. A systems approach to advanced welding and ship assembly as the integration of metallurgy, process, structure, quality and operation

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 2

Marine materials, welding metallurgy and behaviour of joints in the marine environment

2.1. Shipbuilding steels, high-strength steels, stainless steels, aluminium, special alloys and materials used in marine structures
2.2. Relevant mechanical properties: strength, toughness, ductility, hardness, fatigue, weldability and impact behaviour
2.3. Fundamentals of welding metallurgy: fusion zone, heat-affected zone, microstructure and thermal cycles
2.4. Influence of carbon equivalent, chemical composition and heat treatments on the weldability of marine materials
2.5. Hot cracking, cold cracking, embrittlement, porosity and loss of mechanical properties
2.6. Marine corrosion, galvanic corrosion, stress corrosion and protection of welded joints in marine service
2.7. Compatibility between dissimilar materials and criteria for selecting consumables for complex marine applications
2.8. Control of preheating, interpass temperature, heat input and cooling to ensure metallurgical quality
2.9. Mechanical and metallographic testing applied to the validation of welded joints in shipbuilding
2.10. Developing metallurgical criteria to select materials, consumables and welding parameters with structural reliability

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 3

Advanced welding, cutting and joint preparation processes in ship fabrication

3.1. SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW and SAW processes and their specific applications in ship and offshore structures
3.2. Mechanised, orbital, robotic, laser and hybrid welding and high-productivity processes in modern shipyards
3.3. Thermal cutting, plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and waterjet cutting and edge preparation for structural joints
3.4. Joint design: butt, fillet, lap, full penetration, partial penetration and critical joints
3.5. Process selection according to position, thickness, material, accessibility, productivity and quality requirements
3.6. Welding parameters: current, voltage, travel speed, polarity, shielding gas, metal transfer and heat input
3.7. Techniques for controlling distortion, shrinkage, residual deformation and internal stresses during welding
3.8. Positional welding, confined spaces, hard-to-reach areas and real shipyard conditions
3.9. Weld repair, back-gouging, gouging, build-up, rework and recovery of non-conforming joints
3.10. Developing advanced welding procedures that balance productivity, safety and structural quality

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 4

Welding procedures, qualification, regulations and document control in regulated marine environments

4.1. Fundamentals of WPS, PQR, WPQR and welder qualification in shipbuilding and offshore projects
4.2. Essential, supplementary and non-essential variables in defining welding procedures
4.3. Standards, codes and classification society rules applicable to marine welding and maritime structures
4.4. Procedure qualification according to material, thickness, process, position, joint type and level of requirement
4.5. Qualification of welders, operators and mechanised or automated welding equipment
4.6. Traceability of materials, consumables, batches, certificates, parameters and production records
4.7. Document control in shipyards: drawings, isometrics, weld lists, weld maps and inspection records
4.8. Management of non-conformities, concessions, repairs, retests and release of welded work
4.9. Quality audits, classification surveys and preparation of technical evidence for project acceptance
4.10. Building robust documentation systems that ensure compliance, traceability and technical defence of marine welding

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 5

Ship assembly techniques, prefabrication, blocks, modules and structural alignment in the shipyard

5.1. Fundamentals of ship assembly and differences between fabrication of parts, sub-assemblies, blocks, mega-blocks and integrated modules
5.2. Reading structural drawings, assembly drawings, parts lists, nesting and ship production documentation
5.3. Fabrication and assembly sequence of panels, stiffeners, bulkheads, decks, sections and hull blocks
5.4. Marking, positioning, levelling, tack welding, alignment and dimensional control techniques during assembly
5.5. Use of building berths, jigs, templates, fixtures, gantries, cranes and auxiliary assembly systems in the shipyard
5.6. Integration of piping, supports, penetrations, inserts, equipment and outfitting items within structural blocks
5.7. Control of tolerances, deformations, clashes and geometric deviations in complex ship assemblies
5.8. Prefabrication and modularisation strategies to reduce lead times, improve quality and optimise productivity
5.9. Coordination between welding, assembly, inspection, painting, outfitting and testing as the shipbuilding project progresses
5.10. Developing ship assembly processes that integrate dimensional accuracy, safety, production sequence and final quality

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 6

Inspection, non-destructive testing and quality control of welded joints in ship structures

6.1. Fundamentals of weld inspection and differences between visual, dimensional, destructive and non-destructive inspection
6.2. Visual inspection of welds: preparation, geometry, profile, spatter, undercut, cracks, porosity and finish
6.3. Liquid penetrant and magnetic particle testing for the detection of surface and near-surface discontinuities
6.4. Conventional ultrasonic testing, phased array and TOFD applied to critical welds
6.5. Industrial radiography and digital techniques for internal evaluation of welded joints in ship fabrication
6.6. Tightness, vacuum, pressure, hydrostatic and air tests and leak control in tanks, compartments and enclosed structures
6.7. Acceptance criteria, quality levels, defect analysis and classification of discontinuities according to project requirements
6.8. Inspection and test plans, hold points, witness points and coordination with the client, inspector and classification society
6.9. Root cause analysis of recurring defects and feedback to production, procedures and training
6.10. Building quality control systems that ensure the integrity, safety and traceability of welded structures

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 7

Safety, occupational health and risk management in welding and ship assembly

7.1. Specific hazards of marine welding: radiation, metal fumes, gases, sparks, fire, explosion, noise and burns
7.2. Work in confined spaces, tanks, double bottoms, machinery rooms and areas with limited ventilation
7.3. Management of permits to work, hot work, hazardous atmospheres and energy isolation during ship assembly
7.4. Respiratory protection, ventilation, local exhaust extraction and control of exposure to fumes and contaminants
7.5. Fire and explosion prevention during welding on ships, in shipyards and on structures with combustible residues
7.6. Safety in lifting, load handling, block erection, work at height and simultaneous operations
7.7. Ergonomics, fatigue, awkward postures and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in repetitive welding and assembly
7.8. Personal protective equipment, signage, training and safety culture in workshops, berths and ships under repair
7.9. Incident investigation, lessons learned and continuous improvement in the safety of critical marine work
7.10. Building HSE systems for welding and ship assembly that reduce exposure, accidents and operational downtime

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 8

Productivity, planning, automation and digital transformation in welding and ship assembly

8.1. Fundamentals of shipyard productivity and the relationship between man-hours, work sequence, rework and overall efficiency
8.2. Production planning, fabrication routes, bills of materials, workload and progress control in welding and assembly
8.3. Lean methods applied to shipyards: waste reduction, flow improvement, visual management and process stabilisation
8.4. Welding automation, robots, mechanised carriages, fabrication cells and welder assistance systems
8.5. Digitalisation of drawings, weld traceability, parameter control and real-time production data capture
8.6. Use of 3D scanning, metrology, augmented reality and digital twins for dimensional control and advanced assembly
8.7. Analytics of defects, productivity, cycle times and quality to improve decision-making in the shipyard
8.8. Integration of ERP, MES, PLM, ship design and welded production management systems
8.9. Economic evaluation of automation, equipment investment and return through reduced rework and improved quality
8.10. Building more efficient shipyards through automation, data, advanced planning and a culture of continuous improvement

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 9

Ship repair, retrofit, offshore work and welding under special service conditions

9.1. Fundamentals of ship repair and differences compared with newbuilding in terms of access, uncertainty and operating conditions
9.2. Assessment of structural damage, corrosion, cracks, deformation, fatigue and thickness loss in ships and offshore structures
9.3. Weld repair techniques for hull, decks, tanks, piping, supports, stiffeners and structural equipment
9.4. Maintenance welding, emergency repairs and work with time, space and asset availability constraints
9.5. Structural retrofit, block modification, installation of systems and adaptation of ships to new operational requirements
9.6. Welding in the offshore environment, on platforms, floating units, exposed structures and campaigns with complex logistics
9.7. Repairs under classification society survey and technical approval requirements before return to service
9.8. Risk control when repairing assets with residues, fuels, hazardous atmospheres or nearby equipment in operation
9.9. Planning of technical stoppages, dry docking, simultaneous work and multidisciplinary coordination in ship repair
9.10. Developing repair and retrofit strategies that ensure operational continuity, structural integrity and regulatory compliance

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 10

Welding of special materials and emerging technologies

10.1. Welding of marine aluminium alloys
10.2. Welding of stainless and duplex steels
10.3. Dissimilar joints and bimetallic materials
10.4. Friction stir welding (FSW)
10.5. Laser and hybrid laser-arc welding
10.6. Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM)
10.7. Robotics and seam-tracking sensors
10.8. Control of distortion and residual stresses
10.9. Post-weld heat treatment
10.10. Case studies of innovation in shipyards

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Module 11

Master's Final Project in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

11.1. Definition of the case study: ship structure, block, repair, offshore module or welded system to be addressed by the project
11.2. Diagnosis of structural requirements, materials, service conditions, applicable regulations and shipyard constraints
11.3. Selection of welding processes, consumables, joint preparation and technical parameters for the selected case
11.4. Design of WPS/PQR procedures, qualification strategy and document control for the welded system
11.5. Development of the assembly, alignment, tack welding and welding sequence, distortion control and dimensional release
11.6. Preparation of the inspection plan, non-destructive testing, acceptance criteria and treatment of non-conformities
11.7. Integration of safety, permits to work, fire prevention, confined spaces and operational risk management
11.8. Assessment of productivity, automation, costs, execution times and opportunities to improve the shipbuilding process
11.9. Drafting of the comprehensive technical report with metallurgical, regulatory, production, structural and HSE justification
11.10. Presentation and defence of the final project with overall validation of the advanced welding and ship assembly proposal developed

At this stage

136 hestimated workload

11 wkweeks at your pace

Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

Hours per week

4 h30 h

With 12 h per week

months to finish

125 weeks

weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.

Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance

Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints

Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator

Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory

Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator

Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator

Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line

Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator

Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

01Master the application of specialised welding in shipbuilding.

02Manage complex marine welding projects.

03Optimise ship assembly processes with innovative welding techniques.

04Ensure the structural integrity of welded joints in marine environments.

05Implement rigorous quality control protocols in marine welding.

06Evaluate and select the right welding materials for specific marine applications.

Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

01Welding engineerdesign, supervision and quality control of welding processes.

02Ship assembly supervisorcoordinating teams in construction and repair.

03NDT specialistinspection and evaluation of welds.

04Technical consultant in welding and assemblyadvice and problem solving.

05Quality control managerstandards in welding and assembly.

06Welding research and developmentinnovation in techniques.

07Teacher or trainer in advanced welding and ship assembly

08Shipbuilding project manager

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques

The shipbuilding and maritime industry.

Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy-weather and SAR scenarios.

Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/work placement stays through partnership agreements.

It focuses on both aspects, combining fundamental theory with intensive practice in welding and ship assembly techniques.

Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.

Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm your suitability.

Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.

Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.

Entry requirements

Academic or professional profile: a degree in engineering (industrial, mechanical, materials, naval or similar), or a higher vocational qualification in metal construction or welding with demonstrable experience in the marine sector.
Specific knowledge: basic notions of metallurgy, welding processes and shipbuilding regulations. Experience in CAD and simulation is valued.
Documentation: up-to-date CV, copy of your qualification or academic certificates, identity document or passport, and a motivation letter on your interest in welding and the marine sector.
Additional requirements: welding certifications (such as AWS or EN ISO 9606) and experience in shipyards or shipbuilding companies are valued. Enrolment is open all year round; admission is provisional until the committee validates your documentation.

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