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Master’s degree · Shipyard and finishesMaster'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.
100% online1,500 hours11 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time
What is this programme?
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 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.
Study plan
01Fundamentals of advanced marine welding, metal fabrication and structural assembly in shipbuilding and ship repair136 h
The concept of marine welding compared with general industrial welding, marine structural welding and specialised assembly; evolution of joining techniques in shipyards, repair, offshore and maritime structures; relationship between design, materials, processes, assembly sequence and final quality; structural types: hull, decks, bulkheads, stiffeners, superstructures, tanks, blocks and modules; constraints of the marine environment: corrosion, fatigue, dynamic loads, vibration, humidity, salinity and limited access; the role of welding in strength, watertightness, durability and safety; interaction between engineering, production, quality, inspection, safety and planning; typical defects, risks and failures of welded joints in maritime service; trends: automation, robotics, modular prefabrication and digital control; a systemic approach integrating metallurgy, process, structure, quality and operation.
02Marine materials, welding metallurgy and the behaviour of joints in the marine environment136 h
Shipbuilding steels, high-strength steels, stainless steels, aluminium and special alloys; mechanical properties: strength, toughness, ductility, hardness, fatigue, weldability and impact; welding metallurgy: fusion zone, heat-affected zone, microstructure and thermal cycles; influence of carbon equivalent, chemical composition and heat treatments; hot and cold cracking, embrittlement, porosity and loss of properties; marine, galvanic and stress corrosion, and protection of joints; compatibility of dissimilar materials and selection of consumables; control of preheat, interpass temperature, heat input and cooling; mechanical and metallographic testing to validate joints; metallurgical criteria for choosing materials, consumables and parameters.
03Advanced welding, cutting and joint preparation processes in ship fabrication136 h
SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW and SAW processes and their marine and offshore applications; mechanised, orbital, robotic, laser and hybrid welding for high productivity; thermal, plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and waterjet cutting and edge preparation; joint design: butt, fillet, lap, full and partial penetration; process selection according to position, thickness, material, access and requirements; parameters: current, voltage, travel speed, polarity, gas, transfer mode and heat input; control of distortion, shrinkage and residual stresses; positional welding, confined spaces and real shipyard conditions; weld repair: grinding out, gouging, filling and rework; advanced procedures balancing productivity, safety and quality.
04Welding procedures, qualification, regulations and document control in regulated marine environments136 h
Fundamentals of WPS, PQR, WPQR and welder qualification; essential, supplementary and non-essential variables; standards, codes and classification society rules; qualification of procedures by material, thickness, process, position and joint type; qualification of welders, operators and mechanised or automated equipment; traceability of materials, consumables, batches, certificates and records; document control in shipyards: drawings, isometrics, weld lists and records; management of non-conformities, concessions, repairs and release of work; audits, classification inspections and technical evidence; robust documentation systems for compliance and technical defence.
05Ship assembly techniques, prefabrication, blocks, modules and structural alignment in the shipyard136 h
Differences between parts, sub-assemblies, blocks, mega-blocks and modules; reading structural and assembly drawings, part lists and nesting; fabrication sequence for panels, stiffeners, bulkheads, decks and sections; marking, positioning, levelling, tack welding, alignment and dimensional control; slipways, jigs, templates, fixtures, gantries, cranes and auxiliary systems; integration of piping, supports, penetrations, equipment and outfitting in blocks; control of tolerances, deformation and interferences; prefabrication and modularisation to reduce lead times and improve quality; coordination between welding, assembly, inspection, painting, outfitting and testing; assembly processes integrating precision, safety and production sequence.
06Inspection, non-destructive testing and quality control of welded joints in marine structures136 h
Fundamentals of visual, dimensional, destructive and non-destructive inspection; visual inspection: geometry, profile, spatter, undercut, cracks and porosity; liquid penetrant and magnetic particle testing; conventional ultrasonic testing, phased array and TOFD; industrial radiography and digital techniques; tightness, vacuum, pressure and leak testing; acceptance criteria, quality levels and classification of discontinuities; inspection and test plans, hold and witness points, and coordination with the client and the classification society; root cause analysis of recurring defects; quality control systems for integrity and traceability.
07Safety, occupational health and risk management in marine welding and assembly136 h
Welding hazards: radiation, fumes, gases, sparks, fire, explosion, noise and burns; work in confined spaces, tanks, double bottoms and technical rooms; work permits, hot work, hazardous atmospheres and energy isolation; respiratory protection, ventilation and local extraction; fire and explosion prevention; safety in lifting, load handling, work at height and simultaneous operations; ergonomics, fatigue and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries; protective equipment, signage, training and preventive culture; incident investigation and continuous improvement; HSE systems to reduce exposure, accidents and stoppages.
08Productivity, planning, automation and digital transformation in marine welding and assembly136 h
Shipyard productivity: man-hours, sequence, rework and efficiency; production planning, routings, bills of materials and progress control; lean methods: waste reduction, flow, visual management and stabilisation; automation: robots, mechanised carriages, cells and welder assistance; digitalisation of drawings, traceability and real-time data capture; 3D scanning, metrology, augmented reality and digital twins; analytics of defects, cycle times and quality; integration of ERP, MES, PLM and production systems; economic evaluation of automation and return on investment; more efficient shipyards through data, planning and continuous improvement.
09Ship repair, retrofit, offshore work and welding under special service conditions136 h
Fundamentals of ship repair compared with newbuilding; damage assessment: corrosion, cracks, deformation, fatigue and loss of thickness; welded repair of hull, decks, tanks, piping and supports; maintenance welding and emergency repair; structural retrofit and adaptation of ships to new requirements; offshore welding on platforms and floating units, with complex logistics; repairs under classification society survey; risk control with residues, fuels and hazardous atmospheres; planning of technical stoppages, dry docking and multidisciplinary coordination; repair strategies that ensure operational continuity and regulatory compliance.
10Welding of special materials and emerging technologies136 h
Welding of marine aluminium alloys; welding of stainless and duplex steels; dissimilar joints and bimetallic materials; friction stir welding (FSW); laser and hybrid laser-arc welding; wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM); robotics and seam-tracking sensors; control of distortion and residual stresses; post-weld heat treatments; practical cases of innovation in shipyards.
11Master's Final Project in Advanced Welding and Ship Assembly Techniques136 h
Definition of the case study (structure, block, repair, offshore module or welded system); diagnosis of structural, material, service, regulatory and constraint requirements; selection of processes, consumables, joint preparation and parameters; design of WPS/PQR, qualification strategy and document control; assembly sequence, alignment, tack welding, welding, distortion control and dimensional release; inspection plan, non-destructive testing and treatment of non-conformities; integration of safety, work permits and risk management; evaluation of productivity, automation, costs and lead times; writing the comprehensive technical report; presentation and defence of the final project.
Duration and format
1,500hours in total
11modules of 136 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round
At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 150 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 75.
What you will learn
- Master the application of specialised welding in shipbuilding.
- Manage complex marine welding projects.
- Optimise ship assembly processes with innovative welding techniques.
- Ensure the structural integrity of welded joints in marine environments.
- Implement rigorous quality control protocols in marine welding.
- Evaluate and select the right welding materials for specific marine applications.
Career outcomes
- Welding engineer: design, supervision and quality control of welding processes.
- Ship assembly supervisor: coordinating teams in construction and repair.
- NDT specialist: inspection and evaluation of welds.
- Technical consultant in welding and assembly: advice and problem solving.
- Quality control manager: standards in welding and assembly.
- Welding research and development: innovation in techniques.
- Teacher or trainer in advanced welding and ship assembly.
- Shipbuilding project manager.
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.
How to enrol
Enrol online
Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.
Receive your access
We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.
Study at your pace
Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.
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