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Master’s degree · Hull and naval architectureMaster's in Technical Ship Inspection and Certification
This master's programme gives you a complete and specialised view of ship assessment and regulatory compliance in the maritime sector. You will work with survey methods, classification rules, damage assessment and reporting. The programme teaches the subject and does not confer surveyor accreditation.
100% online1,500 hours11 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time
What is this programme?
This master's programme gives you a complete and specialised view of ship assessment and regulatory compliance in the maritime sector. It covers inspection techniques, from structural safety to propulsion systems and life-saving equipment, and teaches you to interpret and apply the rules of classification societies and international maritime authorities. Its aim is to prepare you to lead certification processes that ensure the safety, efficiency and sustainability of ships.
What makes the programme different: real practical cases of inspections and certifications; the use of software for managing inspections and documentation; and constant updating on international regulations and standards. The programme teaches the subject; surveyor accreditation and official certificates are issued by classification societies and the national maritime authority.
Programme highlights
- Regulatory command: study of the national and international legislation that applies to ship inspection and certification.
- Technical skills: assessment of structures, systems and equipment to ensure the safety and efficiency of vessels.
- Solid preparation in the subject matter that complements the surveyor accreditations issued by classification societies and maritime authorities.
- Practical methodology: learning through real cases and simulations.
- Specialisation in a high-demand field, to become a reference in ship inspection and certification.
Study plan
01Advanced Diagnosis and Integrated Assessment of Ship Structures for Technical Certification136 h
Structural fundamentals: materials, mechanical properties and behaviour under static and dynamic loads. Non-destructive testing (NDT): phased-array ultrasonics, eddy currents, digital radiography and infrared thermography. Structural integrity assessment: acceptance criteria, tolerances and failure thresholds under IMO and classification rules. Finite element modelling (FEM) for predictive diagnosis: building, validating and tuning models. Wear and corrosion in metal and composite hulls: critical zones and degradation agents. Fatigue and fracture: crack propagation and mitigation strategies. In-service monitoring: smart sensors and marine IoT for real-time tracking. Technical audits and certification: preparation, execution, documentation and reporting. Regulations applicable to structural integrity: SOLAS, IACS, ISO and national rules. Practical cases: analysis of real failures and corrective and preventive plans.
02Advanced Non-Destructive Inspection Techniques and Equipment Verification in Naval Engineering136 h
Fundamentals of NDT: physical principles, types and applications. Advanced NDT techniques: ultrasonics, digital radiography, eddy currents, thermography and assisted visual analysis. Equipment and sensors: calibration, maintenance and optimisation for marine environments. Planning and execution of comprehensive inspections of hulls, structures and auxiliary systems. International standards (ISO, ASTM and classification society rules) and their impact on certification. Advanced data interpretation: defects, corrosion, fatigue and failure analysis with specialised software. Verification testing of critical equipment: engines, hydraulic, electrical and control systems. Quality assurance: traceability, technical documentation and management of non-conformities. Innovations in NDT: drones, artificial intelligence for predictive analysis and digital reporting. Practical cases and simulations: evaluation of reports, decision-making and audit preparation.
03Advanced Diagnostic Methodologies and Integrated Assessment of Ship Structures for Quality Certification136 h
Fundamentals of structural integrity: strength, fatigue, corrosion and deformation in metals and composites. Advanced NDT: phased array, eddy currents, acoustic emission, thermography and magnetic particles. Predictive diagnosis and continuous assessment: statistical models, trend analysis and real-time monitoring. Assessment of impact, fatigue and corrosion damage: identification, quantification and classification of failures in hulls, decks and bulkheads. Inspection and certification regulations: IMO, IACS unified requirements and classification society rules. Digital techniques: drones, 3D scanners and laser measurement for dimensional and condition data. Advanced data analysis: artificial intelligence, machine learning and specialised software. Risk-based inspection planning: frequency, scope and technical criteria. Technical reports for certification: structure, objective evidence and acceptance criteria. Practical cases of integrated assessment and decision-making for issuing certificates.
04International Regulatory Framework, Technical Audit, Quality Management and Operational Safety for Ship Certification and Compliance136 h
The SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW conventions applied to technical inspection. Documentary and physical technical audit: preparation, execution and reporting. Quality management based on ISO 9001 and maritime-specific standards. Operational safety: risk analysis, incident management and mitigation. Ship certification and classification: criteria of societies and authorities. Safety and environmental protection regulations in operation and design. Digital audit tools: management software, platforms and data analysis. Verification of ISM safety management systems: internal audits and operational performance. Port State Control and Flag State Control inspections: preparation and follow-up. Legal and contractual aspects: liabilities, warranties and dispute resolution.
05Integrated Management of Predictive Maintenance and Quality Control in Advanced Marine Equipment136 h
Fundamentals of predictive maintenance: concepts, benefits and applications. Condition monitoring: vibration, thermography, ultrasound and lubricant analysis. Sensing and data acquisition in propulsion and auxiliary equipment. Signal interpretation and data-driven diagnosis to prevent failures. Integrated maintenance plans adapted to operating cycles. International certification and quality control protocols. Advanced technical inspection: NDT and acceptance criteria. Digital technologies: SCADA, IoT and big data for shipboard maintenance. Equipment life cycle and its impact on strategic planning. Reliability and operational availability: indicators, risk analysis and mitigation.
06Advanced Diagnosis of Ship Structures and Systems for Global Quality and Safety Certification136 h
NDT applied to structures: phased array, radiography, thermography and eddy currents. Numerical structural analysis: finite elements, 3D modelling and simulation of hydrodynamic loads. Structural integrity: fatigue, corrosion and fracture under classification society rules. Diagnosis of propulsion and auxiliary systems: vibration, lubricants and online monitoring. Inspection of fire-fighting and gas-freeing systems: tests, materials, SOLAS and IMO. Certification of welds and joints: causes of failure, inspection and complementary destructive testing. Stability and strength in extreme conditions: waves, ice and deferred loads. Continuous structural health monitoring (SHM): sensors, data transmission and real-time analysis. Regulation in ship certification: audits and issue of certificates. Detailed technical reports: documentation, results, recommendations and presentation to certifying bodies.
07Advanced Strategies and Techniques in the Assessment, Diagnosis and Certification of High-Performance Ship Structures and Systems136 h
Fundamentals of technical ship inspection: types of inspection and IMO, ISO and classification standards. Advanced structural assessment with NDT: ultrasound, radiography, acoustic emission and thermography. Materials diagnosis: metallurgical analysis, fatigue and corrosion in high-strength steels. FEM and CFD modelling and simulation: stresses, vibration and dynamics under extreme conditions. Assessment of critical systems: propulsion, hydraulics, electrical and automation, with real-time sensors. Certification protocols: checklists, test plans and acceptance and rejection criteria. Risk management and structural integrity: potential failures, safety factors and predictive maintenance. Environmental regulation: pollution prevention, MARPOL and local rules. Advanced technical documentation: reports, records, traceability and presentation to control bodies. Practical cases of highly complex ships and real-time resolution of incidents.
08Technological Innovations and Practical Applications in Latest-Generation Ship Inspection and Certification Systems136 h
Fundamentals of ship inspection and regulation (IMO, IACS and classification rules). Emerging technologies: drones, underwater robots and artificial intelligence for fault detection. Advanced NDT: phased array, eddy currents, thermography and digital radiography. Integrated structural monitoring: sensors, IoT and real-time analysis platforms. Automation and digitalisation of certification: blockchain, big data and secure electronic records. Virtual simulation and augmented reality for training and planning complex inspections. Applications in the certification of metal structures, propulsion and safety equipment. Calibration and verification of measuring instruments and sensors. Integrated quality management: reports, audits and document traceability. Practical cases and failure analysis with corrective techniques.
09Advanced Diagnosis of Ship Structures and Critical Systems for Quality, Safety and Risk Management Certification136 h
Structural integrity: static and dynamic loads on ships and offshore platforms. Advanced non-destructive inspection methodologies: ultrasonics, eddy currents, acoustic emission and thermography. Fatigue and corrosion diagnosis: monitoring and prediction of residual life. Finite element modelling and simulation: stresses, deformations and extreme conditions. Critical systems: identification, assessment and prioritisation for certification. Protocols for key components: hull, bulkheads, welds, propulsion and steering. Regulation: ISO 19901 and classification society rules in quality and safety certification. Risk management in operation and maintenance: qualitative and quantitative analysis, matrices and mitigation plans. Technical audit for certification: design, execution, reporting and follow-up of non-conformities. Integration of online monitoring (SCADA, IoT) to verify the condition of structures and critical systems.
10Inspection of Safety, Life-Saving and Fire-Fighting Systems136 h
SOLAS requirements for life-saving appliances. Inspection of lifeboats and davits. Liferafts and approved service stations. Fixed fire-extinguishing systems. Fire detection and alarms. Firefighter's outfits and self-contained breathing apparatus. Fire doors and structural fire protection. Emergency lighting and signage. Abandon-ship and fire drills. Recording of deficiencies and corrective actions.
11Final Master's Project: Integrating Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Strategies for Comprehensive Certification in Technical Ship Inspection136 h
Fundamentals of disruptive technologies: artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics. Advanced sensors and IoT for real-time monitoring. NDT enhanced by drones and autonomous underwater vehicles. Digital twins for simulation and management of marine assets. Blockchain for traceability and integrity in certification. Algorithms for automated detection of structural failures and corrosion. Augmented and virtual reality for training, remote inspection and decision-making. Risk and safety management based on maritime big data. Updated regulations and standards for adopting new technologies. Design and execution of the final project: practical application to a real inspection and certification case.
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
- Assess and certify regulatory compliance on ships.
- Manage and supervise ship repair projects.
- Diagnose and resolve technical problems on vessels.
- Lead and coordinate technical ship inspections.
- Prepare technical reports and marine surveys.
- Implement and optimise preventive maintenance programmes.
Career outcomes
- Technical ship inspector: statutory and classification inspections in compliance with national and international regulations.
- Ship certification specialist: compliance certificates for new and in-service ships under conventions such as SOLAS and MARPOL.
- Safety management system (SMS) auditor: assessment and certification of shipping companies' safety systems.
- Naval technical consultant: advice on ship construction, repair and modification.
- Marine surveyor: expert reports on maritime accidents, breakdowns or technical disputes.
- Fleet manager: coordination of ship maintenance and repair, ensuring efficiency and safety.
- Technician in classification societies: inspections and plan approval in recognised societies.
- Quality manager in shipyards: quality assurance in shipbuilding and repair.
- Researcher in maritime technology centres: R&D projects in naval engineering.
Entry requirements
- Academic or professional profile: a degree in Naval Engineering, Naval Architecture or Industrial Engineering (with a naval or maritime specialisation), or an equivalent technical qualification. Demonstrable professional experience in the naval sector (shipyards, shipping companies, classification societies, etc.) is also accepted.
- Recommended prior knowledge: fundamentals of shipbuilding, propulsion systems, marine installations and maritime regulations (SOLAS, MARPOL, etc.).
- Documentation: an up-to-date CV, a copy of your qualification or proof of experience, ID card or passport, and a motivation letter on your interest in ship inspection and certification.
- Skills: technical analysis, attention to detail, oral and written communication, teamwork and user-level IT skills (word processor and spreadsheet).
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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