Studies & Degrees in Naval Architecture
Naval architecture is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction and operation of ships and other floating structures. Despite the name, it has little to do with architecture in the building sense. The United States Naval Academy describes it as the field of engineering that addresses how to conceive of, design, test, build and operate ships, and lists the designer's main concerns as hull shape, stability, structure, arrangement, manoeuvrability and seaworthiness. The same methods apply to yachts, ferries, submarines, offshore wind turbines and oil platforms.
The subject is usually taught together with marine engineering, which covers the machinery and propulsion systems on board. Students start from general engineering science (mathematics, mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials) and move on to buoyancy and stability, resistance and propulsion, the structural analysis of the hull, the behaviour of ships in waves and ship design projects. Computer-aided design is part of most programmes.
Qualifications and levels
- Spain. The profession is regulated at two levels. A bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits that meets the requirements of Orden CIN/350/2009 gives access to the profession of Ingeniero Técnico Naval. Its curriculum has 60 credits of basic sciences, 60 credits common to the naval branch, a 48-credit block in one specific technology (marine structures, or propulsion and ship services) and a final project of 12 credits. The profession of Ingeniero Naval y Oceánico requires an official master's degree designed under Orden CIN/354/2009; bachelor's and master's studies together must add up to at least 300 ECTS credits.
- United Kingdom. The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow offers a four-year BEng in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, with the option of transferring to the MEng for students with the required results. The university states that the degree is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects on behalf of the Engineering Council; a BEng fully meets the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meets it for Chartered Engineer.
- United States. Marine engineers and naval architects typically need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, naval architecture or a related field, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, and some programmes are offered at state maritime academies. A licence is not required for entry-level posts; experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) licence.
Master's degrees and doctorates follow in fields such as ship design, ocean engineering and offshore renewable energy.
Where to study it
This directory lists eight active schools for naval architecture: three in Spain, three in the United States, one in the United Kingdom and one in Italy.
In Spain, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid offers the Grado en Arquitectura Naval and the Grado en Ingeniería Marítima at its naval engineering school (ETSI Navales). The Universidad de Cádiz teaches the Grado en Arquitectura Naval e Ingeniería Marítima and the Máster en Ingeniería Naval y Oceánica at its Escuela de Ingeniería Naval y Oceánica on the Puerto Real campus. The Universidade da Coruña lists a Grado en Ingeniería Naval y Oceánica. These degrees are taught mainly in Spanish, and applicants with foreign school qualifications go through the general admission procedure for Spanish universities.
Abroad, the listed schools include the University of Michigan, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and the University of Strathclyde, all teaching in English. The Naval Academy is the undergraduate college of the US naval service and has its own admission rules, so applicants should ask the academy directly whether they are eligible.
Before choosing, check which professional body or regulation the degree is linked to, how much time is spent on design projects and towing-tank or simulation work, and whether a master's degree is needed for the professional title you want.
Careers
Naval architects work in shipyards and boatbuilders, design and engineering consultancies, classification societies, shipping companies, navies and the offshore energy sector. Typical tasks are designing hulls and superstructures to standards of safety, efficiency and economy, preparing layouts and drawings, and overseeing the building and testing of prototypes.
In the United States, marine engineers and naval architects held about 8,400 jobs in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; 51% worked in ship and boat building and 22% in professional, scientific and technical services. The same source projects employment growth of 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 500 openings a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is naval architecture the same as architecture?
No. It is an engineering discipline concerned with ships and floating structures: their hull shape, stability, structure and performance at sea.
What is the difference between naval architecture and marine engineering?
Naval architecture deals with the ship as a whole, especially the hull, stability and structure. Marine engineering deals with the machinery and propulsion systems on board. Many degrees combine both.
How long does it take to qualify in Spain?
The bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits and gives access to the profession of Ingeniero Técnico Naval. To practise as Ingeniero Naval y Oceánico an official master's degree is also required, for a total of at least 300 ECTS credits.
Do I need a licence to work as a naval architect in the United States?
Not for entry-level jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced engineers may later obtain a Professional Engineer licence.