Yacht and Powercraft Design

Description

Close links with the yacht and small craft industry make this specialist degree internationally respected.

The BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design at Southampton Solent University is a well-established engineering degree that aims to produce graduates with the theoretical understanding and design skills of a professional naval architect working in the yacht and small craft industry. This could range from designing small racing sailing yachts through to a millionaire’s super yachts or patrol boats and commercial craft.

The naval architect/designer must take responsibility for the overall design, structure, speed and power, safety and stability of a craft. Emphasis is placed on practical examples and design applications, supported by computer-aided design (CAD) work. There are three principal themes running through all three years, broadly described as small craft technology, CAD and design practice, and engineering theory.

The course combines theory and practice and aims to build on your existing practical sailing and boatcraft knowledge. You will study in an ideal location, close to the thriving port of Southampton and its successful business community, which offers opportunities for extra practical experience.

You will benefit from our industry-standard facilities in the city centre and at Warsash Maritime Academy, where you can develop your design skills using CAD and participate in our practical workshops. In our towing and stability tanks, labs and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) workshops, you will also study the manufacture of composites, material testing, stability and marine engine investigations.

Industrial focus

The course’s international reputation for yacht and small craft design is founded on many years of experience and on its dedicated team of well-qualified teaching staff who have strong links to industry and are active in consultancy and design.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11140 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Year 1

Five core units and one option unit:

• Naval Architecture Principles
• Yacht Design and Production Principles
• Marine Craft Materials and Production
• Marine Craft Systems Principles
• Small Craft Mechanics.

Options:

• Mathematics
• Curriculum Plus.

Year 2

Six core units:

• Marine Craft Design and Development
• Applied Yacht Design and Production
• Resistance and Propulsion
• Applied Marine Craft Systems
• Marine Craft Hydrodynamics
• Structural Analysis.

Year 3

Three core units and two option units:

• Marine Craft Structures (Practice)
• Advanced Yacht Design and Production
• Project (double unit).

Options:

• Aero-hydrodynamics
• Marine Craft Structures (Theory)
• Marine Industry Work-based Learning.

Why choose Solent?

• A 60-metre industry-standard towing tank and a four-metre stability tank
• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RNA).

Assessment

Most units are assessed by a combination of coursework and an exam element. Several CAD-based units, such as yacht design and production, are fully coursework assessed.

Projects/work experience

Visits to boatyards, lifeboat builders and marine equipment suppliers.

Key career skills

Creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork, design and production.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

200 points with two or more numerically based A Levels.

Qualifications equivalent to the above may also be considered – contact the Faculty Office for further information.

Entry to Year 2 may be offered to applicants holding an HND in an appropriate subject.

International students

Applications are welcomed from students who have been educated outside the UK system, and a number of overseas qualifications are recognised as equivalent to those listed. Applicants should give full details of their qualifications, including subjects, grades, date and the name and address of the school, college, university or awarding authority.

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed threshold attainments for undergraduate courses are:

• GCSE or GCE ‘O’ Level (Grade C);
• IELTS 6.0 or a TOEFL score of 550 or more; or
• City and Guilds ESOL (written assessment) pass in Higher Intermediate examination, plus a comparable pass in City and Guilds SESL (speaking assessment) examination.
• Where students enter direct to a course at the University, in the final year, without any prior experience of the UK Higher Education System will require IELTS 6.5.

Qualifications are checked before enrolment and international students must bring their original certificates when coming to study at the University.

The University also offers an International Foundation Programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Southampton Solent University.

Funding

To help you cover the cost you can take out a tuiton fee loan to pay your fees, which is paid directly to the University by the Student Loan company. Some students are also eligible for a maintenance loan to help with their living costs.

You only repay both loans when you finish your course and are earning £21,000 or more. If you don't have an income this high you will not have to pay anything until you are earning £21,000 or more.

Our student support and welfare advisers have more information regarding financial help and details can be found on our Funding advice pages.