Maritime Operations
Master's degree programme
Do you have a bachelor’s degree from nautical science, mechanical engineering or another relevant maritime bachelor degree? With this master programme you acquire advanced knowledge and competence within different aspects of maritime operations, with a special focus on offshore operations.
Information regarding current government proposal for tuition fees
The Norwegian Government has proposed the introduction of tuition fees for students from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA, beginning from fall 2023. We do not know if the parliament will accept the proposal, but applicants should be prepared that the decision can affect tuition fees from the fall 2023. A decision is expected soon. For the time being there are no tuition fees at HVL, and prospective students are advised to apply in the regular manner, which means you do not need to show financial ability in order to apply. Take note that you must document that you are able to cover your living costs during the study period if you are to apply for a study permit to Norway.
The lectures are given in several intensive lectures, which means that it may be possible to combine studies with work. To complete the study program it is expected that you are able to independently structure your studies. All lectures are taught in English.
The programme is a joint master between Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and University of Applied Sciences Hochschule Emden/Leer in Germany.
The programme combines the nautical domain, with its focus on operational and organizational aspects, with the engineering domain, which focuses on the technical aspects, as well as managerial aspects related to the operational perspective. The purpose of such a combination is to cover maritime operations in depth and make you able to contribute to improving and developing such operations, and which will enable you to be a valued asset for the maritime industry both off- and onshore.
You will learn about different aspects related to maritime operations:
- The international aspect (such as regulations)
- The technical aspect (such as ship stability)
- The organizational aspect (such as the complex relationship between human and technical factors)
- The managerial aspect (such as safety and risk)
Profiles
The second year you choose one of the two profiles we offer. Your Master Thesis is based on the profile you choose.
Profile 1: Maritime Technology and Management, campus Haugesund
You will learn about:
- Subsea- and marine systems and -operations, ship operation and maintenance strategies/methods
- How environmental conditions may affect the operation and equipment
- Different surface vessels, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s), diving systems and subsea production equipment
- Methods for prediction of weather windows and risk- and reliability analysis
Simulator demonstrations and excursions to a relevant company /operation site may be executed to top the gained knowledge and experience from the lectures.
Profile 2: Sustainable Maritime Operations, campus Leer
You will learn about three different aspects of maritime operations:
- The technical aspect focuses on the forces of load and bouncy, wind, waves and hydrodynamics affecting the vessel, the design of the vessel and the operational and managerial aspects.
- The operational aspect focuses on the chain of computational maritime modelling and simulation techniques needed in maritime operations.
- The managerial aspect focuses on central themes concerning the organization and leadership of projects, as well as methods and techniques for analysis and management.
Teaching methods
The teaching methods vary, with lectures, solving exercises in groups and problem-based learning being the most common. In addition to individual work, group work is encouraged throughout the programme.
The lectures are given in intensive sessions three weeks each semester.
You study at Haugesund the first semester, and at Leer in the second semester. Which profile you choose determines the location of study in the third and fourth semester.
Job opportunities
- You may work in the technical or managerial department in shipping companies, with responsibility to plan and execute maritime operations, or as a deck officer with responsibility for executing such operations offshore.
- You may also work as a consultant with an understanding of operations and environmental systems, as well as being an economical and technical advisory capacity for maritime structures.
- You can undertake project management tasks in companies within the maritime sector, and innovation and development tasks within the academic core competencies of the programme; Offshore/Subsea operations, environmental system analysis, in regards to maritime technology, organisation and finance.
Bridging course
We offer an eligible bridging course for qualified and admitted students who do not have the necessary academic background of ship stability or students who simply would like to brush up on their ship stability competence. This course will be held prior to the first session at Thursday 18th of August and Friday 19th of August. There is no mandatory attendance for the bridging course.
Further studies
Completed master programme with a good result will qualify for admission to the PhD-programme in nautic operations.