Naval Architecture with High Performance Marine Vehicles

Naval architecture is the engineering discipline concerned with the design, construction and operation of ships and marine structures, combining hydrodynamics, structural engineering and propulsion science to create vessels that are safe, efficient and fit for purpose. Adding a specialism in high performance marine vehicles extends this into the cutting edge of the field: craft designed to operate at the boundaries of what is physically possible, including racing yachts, high-speed ferries, hydrofoils, hovercraft and advanced naval vessels, where the trade-offs between speed, stability, structural weight and seakeeping demand particularly sophisticated engineering analysis.

At the University of Strathclyde, which has an outstanding international reputation in naval architecture, ocean and marine engineering, you will study the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, structural analysis, ship stability and marine systems alongside specialist modules on the hydrodynamics and design of high performance craft. This is a four-year degree with a year abroad, meaning you will spend time at a partner institution overseas, gaining experience in another maritime engineering environment and broadening your professional network internationally. You will work on design projects, use computational fluid dynamics tools and develop the analytical skills that practising naval architects apply throughout their careers.

Strathclyde's strong connections with the maritime industry provide a context in which your studies are shaped by real engineering challenges, and the programme draws on faculty with both academic and professional expertise.

Graduates go on to careers with shipbuilders and ship designers, defence contractors building naval vessels, offshore energy companies, classification societies, port authorities and maritime consultancies. The specialism in high performance vehicles also creates opportunities with racing yacht teams, fast ferry operators and specialist craft manufacturers. Postgraduate study in naval architecture, offshore engineering or ocean engineering is a common route for those interested in research or highly technical roles.