Master of Science in Marine and Offshore Technology

This study programme is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the marine and offshore industries.

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About the programme
Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credits

120

Start of studies

August every year

Offshore vindmøllepark. Foto: Shutterstock

Oceans cover more than 70 % of the earth’s surface. However, those are still much unexplored. About 97 % of the earth’s water is contained in oceans and seas all connected forming an enormous mass of water. Complex marine engineering becomes crucial when obtaining and discovering all the resources that the oceans can bring as for solving the different issues that can occur during this process.

The University of Stavanger has extensive and solid competence within marine and offshore technologies. Students will gain detailed knowledge in designing, constructing, maintaining and removing of marine and offshore structures. Further, they will look into systems and operations related to installation by combining basic mechanical engineering subjects with marine technology.

Our graduates have specialised knowledge in marine and offshore technology systems, subsea production, offshore aquaculture, offshore renewable energy and fjord crossings. Our graduates are well-equipped to participate in the development of new technology, methods and best practices for the marine, offshore and subsea industries. They will also be in demand for many attractive job opportunities in other high technology industries.

This programme has a strong international profile with students from all over the world and all courses are taught in English.

Career prospects

The Marine and Offshore Technology master's programme at UiS prepares its graduates holistically for challenging and rewarding careers in all activities in the marine, offshore and subsea industries. The supply of marine, offshore and subsea equipment and services is currently Norway's second largest industry after oil and gas export. More than 1 250 companies supply goods and services for all stages of the value chain in Norway. This includes floating offshore structures, drilling rig equipment, equipment for the shipyard industry, advanced offshore supply and service vessels, and subsea technology. Norwegian companies are key industrial players in all international markets for subsea and deep-water technologies. The offshore activities off the Norwegian coast and in the arctic regions are also expected to grow significantly.

Our graduates are highly sought after in a broad spectrum of companies covering:

  • Oil and gas exploration and production companies
  • Ship and offshore structures construction companies
  • Subsea production equipment manufacturers
  • Subsea installation service providers
  • Specialized design houses
  • Classification societies

Candidates can also work at research institutes.

A completed master's degree with a minimum average grade B for courses and grade A or B for the Master thesis, may qualify for admission to the PhD programme in Offshore Technology at the University of Stavanger. Graduates are eligible to apply for relevant PhD programmes in other universities.

Learning outcomes

All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.

After having completed the master's programme in Marine and Offshore Technology, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and general competencies:

Knowledge

K1: The candidate has advanced knowledge of marine and offshore technology. The candidate can combine mechanical engineering, structural engineering and marine technology to give specialised insight into systems and operations.

K2: The candidate has thorough knowledge about the safety and environmental aspects of his/her academic field and knows how to implement this knowledge in his/her professional work by developing technical solutions suited to the best of society and individuals.

K3: The candidate can apply knowledge to new areas within the academic field.

K4: The candidate can analyse academic problems based on the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in the society of the academic field.

K5: The candidate has knowledge about general ethical aspects in the engineering discipline.

Skills

S1: The candidate can analyse and use existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems.

S2: The candidate can use relevant methods for research and scholarly work in an independent manner.

S3: The candidate can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments. The candidate can identify state of the art for technology and relevant national and international standards within relevant disciplines.

S4: The candidate can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and according to applicable research ethics norms.

General Competence

G1: The candidate can analyse relevant academic problems and be qualified to participate in developing and implementing new technology, methods and principles for the marine, offshore and subsea industries.

G2: The candidate can apply knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out advanced assignments and projects and has the relevant knowledge, in general, of marine, offshore and subsea projects.

G3: The candidate can communicate extensive independent work and master the language and terminology of the academic field.

G4: The candidate can communicate about academic issues, analyses, and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public.

G5: The candidate can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes.

Academic requirements

A bachelor´s degree within one of the following disciplines or equivalent degree is required:
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil/structural engineering
- Marine engineering
- Offshore engineering
- Subsea engineering
- Process engineering
- Materials engineering  
- Energy- and Petroleum engineering

All applicants must have at least 30 ECTS credits in mathematics/statistics/calculus.

Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree. Applicants with a result Second-class lower Division or lower are not qualified for admission.

Supplementary rules for admission

Application and admission

Deadlines

and other admission requirements

Study plan and courses

Already a student? Find the full study programme description and study plan here
  • Compulsory courses

  • Recommended electives 2nd semester

    • Plastic Analysis of Structures

      Year 1, semester 2

      Plastic Analysis of Structures (BYG530)

      Study points: 5

    • Smart Operations and Model-based Maintenance Engineering​

      Year 1, semester 2

      Smart Operations and Model-based Maintenance Engineering​ (IAM510)

      Study points: 10

    • Offshore Materials Technology

      Year 1, semester 2

      Offshore Materials Technology (MSK500)

      Study points: 5

    • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

      Year 1, semester 2

      Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) (MSK600)

      Study points: 5

  • 3rd semester at UiS or exchange studies

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most common questions we get about this study programme.

Who is the study suitable for?

This program is well suited for those who are interested in a technical education program that combines engineering disciplines with important marine, offshore and underwater topics. The education provides important core competence and forms the basis for a challenging and competitive career in both the public and private sectors.

Do I have the opportunity to go on an exchange during my studies?
Yes! Students can study abroad during the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Marine and Offshore Technology.

Student exchange

By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree. All about exchange

Schedule for the exchange

Students can study abroad during the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Marine and Offshore Technology.

Students who study abroad must receive approval for courses abroad which can replace OFF550 Subsea technology, OFF600 Marine operations and OFF520 Pipelines and risers, in total 25 ECTS. The remaining 5 ECTS can be chosen among courses similar to the master's programme specialization during the exchange semester. The Department must approve the courses you want to take abroad. It is important that the subjects/ courses from abroad do not overlap with subjects you have already taken. Some advice is to think about your specialisation and your field of interest.

For courses abroad, please contact the Programme Coordinator.

Course packages/approved courses will be published on the webpage under exchange.

Students can also go for exchange in the 4th semester while working on their master's thesis. Planning must start as early as the 2nd semester. Students must contact the study program leader for the planning.

More opportunities

In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has several agreements with universities outside Europe that apply to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.

Find out more.

Contact your Study Adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses:

Iselin Torland Tjensvold

Cathrine Hofker Tønnessen

General questions about the exchange:

Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk

Student exchange

  • All countries

    Chalmers tekniska högskola

    Tenker du på utveksling til Sverige har Chalmers tekniska högskola i Gøteborg mye å tilby. Chalmers er et teknisk universitet i Göteborg med rundt 10.000 studenter og fokus på forskning og utdanning innen teknologi, naturvitenskap og arkitektur.

    University of Bologna

    The origins of the University of Bologna go way back, and it is considered to be the oldest university in Italy. Its history is intertwined with that of the great names of science and literature; it is a keystone and a point of reference for European culture. Apply and enjoy Italy's fascinating and rich culture for one semester!

  • Italia

    University of Bologna

    The origins of the University of Bologna go way back, and it is considered to be the oldest university in Italy. Its history is intertwined with that of the great names of science and literature; it is a keystone and a point of reference for European culture. Apply and enjoy Italy's fascinating and rich culture for one semester!

  • Sverige

    Chalmers tekniska högskola

    Tenker du på utveksling til Sverige har Chalmers tekniska högskola i Gøteborg mye å tilby. Chalmers er et teknisk universitet i Göteborg med rundt 10.000 studenter og fokus på forskning og utdanning innen teknologi, naturvitenskap og arkitektur.

Contact us

Førstekonsulent
51831458
Faculty of Science and Technology
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Professor i maskinteknikk -undervannsteknologi
51831058
KE-238
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science
Our department

Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science

The Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science is a leading academic environment for education and research within offshore technology as well as land-based industry.

The department is focusing on mechanical and civil disciplines, including the petroleum and renewable energy sectors.

The students will be qualified to take over challenging careers in industry in a broad capacity, inclusive of design and robust engineering of complex systems, developing and implementing new technology, methods and principles for optimization of engineering systems, etc. 

The department has about 50 faculty and staff members. The current enrolment is about 20 PhD degree students, 90 master degree students and 250 bachelor degree students.

The main areas of the department’s expertise are:

  • Civil and Structural engineering
  • Mechanical design, production and simulation
  • Marine and Subsea technology
  • Industrial Asset Management
  • Energy and Gas technology
  • Materials science


To support leading educational and research activities, the Department has developed its lab facilities and other resources, including:

  • Mechanical workshop
  • Welding laboratory
  • Concrete and cement laboratory
  • Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
  • Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
  • Corrosion laboratory
  • Metrology and mechanical testing laboratory
  • Gas and energy laboratory
  • CAD and FEM Computer laboratory
  • Soil mechanics
  • Surveying laboratory
  • Rapid prototyping (3D printing) laboratory

The department has a close cooperation with the industry to support its educational and research activities. The Centre for Industrial asset management (CIAM), based in the department, is an important key to establishing such cooperation.

One of the most up-and-coming is the Risavika Gas Centre, a research and development centre for environmental and gas technology, located in the Stavanger region.

In addition to the local expertise and competencies available, the Department actively collaborate with some of the leading educational and research organizations around the world.

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