Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
This master's prepares you to take part in the planning, design and construction of subsea tunnels and major marine infrastructure such as fixed links, long-span bridges and breakwaters. You will study marine geotechnics, immersed and TBM-bored tunnels, tunnel ventilation and safety, construction methods at sea and megaproject management, with an integrated view of engineering, risk, environment and finance.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure?
This master's prepares you to take part in the planning, design and construction of subsea tunnels and major marine infrastructure such as fixed links, long-span bridges and breakwaters. You will compare immersed tunnels, bored tunnels, bridges and mixed solutions, interpret geotechnical and geophysical surveys at sea, apply criteria for structural design, waterproofing and durability, describe construction methods and logistics in the marine environment, integrate ventilation, evacuation and fire protection from the design stage and control the risks, contracts and costs of very large projects.
What sets this master's apart: an uncommon specialisation, bringing tunnels under the sea and major fixed links together in a single programme; detailed engineering, covering geotechnics, structures, waterproofing and construction methods; integrated safety, with ventilation, evacuation and fire management considered from the design stage; megaproject management, including risks, contracts, schedules and financing of major works; and a Final Project in which you carry out an options study for a fixed sea link.
Programme highlights
- Uncommon specialisation: tunnels under the sea and major fixed links in a single programme.
- Detailed engineering: geotechnics, structures, waterproofing and construction methods.
- Integrated safety: ventilation, evacuation and fire management from the design stage.
- Megaproject management: risks, contracts, schedules and financing of major works.
- Beyond tunnels: long-span bridges, artificial islands, storm surge barriers and breakwaters.
- Final Project: an options study for a fixed sea link.
Syllabus of the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Major Marine Infrastructure and Fixed Links
- 1.1. History of subsea tunnels
- 1.2. Types of fixed link
- 1.3. Tunnels versus bridges
- 1.4. Mixed tunnel, bridge and artificial island solutions
- 1.5. Artificial islands and transition peninsulas
- 1.6. Criteria for selecting options
- 1.7. Navigation constraints
- 1.8. Life cycle of a major project
- 1.9. Lessons from international projects
- 1.10. Trends in major infrastructure
Marine Geology and Geotechnics
- 2.1. Geology of the seabed
- 2.2. Geophysical surveys at sea
- 2.3. Marine boreholes and in situ testing
- 2.4. Laboratory testing
- 2.5. Soft soils and rock beneath the sea
- 2.6. Faults and seismic risk zones
- 2.7. Pressurised water and permeability
- 2.8. Geotechnical model of the alignment
- 2.9. Ground improvement
- 2.10. Geotechnical uncertainty
Immersed Tunnels
- 3.1. Principles of the immersed tunnel
- 3.2. Concrete and steel elements
- 3.3. Fabrication in a dry dock
- 3.4. Dredging the trench
- 3.5. Floating and transporting elements
- 3.6. Immersing and connecting elements
- 3.7. Joints and watertightness
- 3.8. Backfill and anchor protection
- 3.9. Foundations of the immersed tunnel
- 3.10. Dimensional control and tolerances
Bored Tunnels under the Sea
- 4.1. Earth pressure balance TBMs
- 4.2. Slurry shield TBMs
- 4.3. Rock tunnelling under the sea
- 4.4. Segmental lining
- 4.5. Water pressure and ground support
- 4.6. Hyperbaric cutter tool changes
- 4.7. Shafts and launch galleries
- 4.8. Managing excavated material
- 4.9. Advance rates and planning
- 4.10. Typical incidents and how to manage them
Structural Design and Durability
- 5.1. Actions on subsea tunnels
- 5.2. Section design
- 5.3. Earthquakes and liquefaction
- 5.4. Ship impact and dropped anchors
- 5.5. Durability of concrete in the marine environment
- 5.6. Reinforcement corrosion
- 5.7. Waterproofing
- 5.8. Design service life
- 5.9. Numerical modelling
- 5.10. Reference standards and guidelines
Safety, Ventilation and Systems
- 6.1. Longitudinal and transverse ventilation
- 6.2. Fire design
- 6.3. Escape galleries and refuges
- 6.4. Detection and suppression systems
- 6.5. Lighting and signage
- 6.6. Drainage and pumping
- 6.7. Control centre
- 6.8. Tunnel risk analysis
- 6.9. Emergency management
- 6.10. Rail and road tunnels
Other Major Marine Works
- 7.1. Long-span bridges over the sea
- 7.2. Pier foundations at sea
- 7.3. Artificial islands
- 7.4. Large breakwaters
- 7.5. Storm surge barriers
- 7.6. Locks and closure works
- 7.7. Large-scale port terminals
- 7.8. Interaction with coastal dynamics
- 7.9. Scour protection
- 7.10. Comparing solutions
Construction Methods and Marine Logistics
- 8.1. Marine construction plant
- 8.2. Dredgers and dredging equipment
- 8.3. Floating cranes and pontoons
- 8.4. Prefabrication and transport
- 8.5. Weather windows
- 8.6. Surveying and positioning
- 8.7. Diving and underwater vehicles
- 8.8. Managing interference with navigation
- 8.9. Health and safety on marine works
- 8.10. Quality control
Environment and Risk Management
- 9.1. Environmental impact assessment
- 9.2. Dredging and water quality
- 9.3. Sediment management
- 9.4. Underwater noise
- 9.5. Protected wildlife and habitats
- 9.6. Project risk register
- 9.7. Geotechnical and contractual risk
- 9.8. Construction insurance
- 9.9. Environmental monitoring
- 9.10. Communication with the public
Megaproject Management
- 10.1. Megaproject life cycle
- 10.2. Procurement models
- 10.3. Public-private partnerships
- 10.4. Cost and schedule estimation
- 10.5. Optimism bias
- 10.6. Project governance
- 10.7. Interface management
- 10.8. BIM methodology on major works
- 10.9. Claims management
- 10.10. Operation and maintenance
Final Project
- 11.1. Defining the transport problem
- 11.2. Site characterisation
- 11.3. Preliminary geotechnical model
- 11.4. Alignment and type options
- 11.5. Proposed construction method
- 11.6. Safety concept
- 11.7. Risk analysis
- 11.8. Preliminary environmental assessment
- 11.9. Cost and schedule estimate
- 11.10. Report and presentation to an assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. 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
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
Career opportunities after the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
Questions about the Master's in Subsea Tunnels and Major Infrastructure
Yes. Well-known international tunnel and fixed link projects are analysed in general terms to draw technical lessons on geotechnics, construction methods, safety and project management.
It is not essential, although a technical background is advisable. The first modules lay the foundations of fixed link types and marine geotechnics before moving on to design and construction.
You work with the concepts of geotechnical and structural modelling and with introductory-level tools, so that you can interpret and discuss the results of numerical models.
No. It is a specialist programme of Navalis Institute and does not replace the officially recognised qualifications that grant professional engineering competences in each country.
You carry out an options study for a fixed sea link, covering the transport problem, site characterisation, alignment and type options, construction method, safety concept, risks, environment, costs and schedule, presented before an assessment panel.
Yes. Module 6 covers longitudinal and transverse ventilation, fire design, escape galleries and refuges, detection and suppression systems, the control centre and emergency management.
The master's is taught online and comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, ending with a Final Project in which you apply what you have learned to a complete fixed link case.
More programmes in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at civil, mining, geological and naval engineers, geologists, technical staff at contractors and engineering firms, project managers coordinating complex works, public authority and infrastructure operator staff, and risk and insurance consultants; professional experience in civil works or marine construction is also a valid route.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.