Advanced Design of Sustainable Ships and Offshore Structures (EMship)

Programme Overview

EMship welcomed its first students in 2010, under the Erasmus Mundus European Programme of Excellence label. The programme was selected in the Quality Review in 2015, a grant awarded by the EACEA in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme. In 2019 EMship was extended under the name EMship+ to welcome four additional cohorts under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree label. In 2023 the programme was extended for another four cohorts.

EMship+ aims to provide high quality education in Naval Architecture and Ship & Offshore Design, through a 2-year programme, which is fully taught in English with mobility in a minimum of two European countries.

Consortium Partners

The EMship+ consortium comprises 7 institutions across Europe, two of whom host M1 programme students and a five who host M2 programme students and confer the joint master's degree:

 
  • Ghent University, Belgium (co-ordinator)
  • Universitatea Dunărea de Jos, Romania
  • Universität Rostock, Germany
  • Centrale Nantes, France
  • Instituto Superior Técnico Lisboa, Portugal
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
  • Université de Liège, Belgium

Associate Partners

There is active support from three European universities via guest lectures and offering theses: University of Genoa (UNIGE, Italy), ICAM School of Engineering (ICAM, Nantes, France) and Southampton Solent University (SOLENT, UK). In addition, students are also welcome outside Europe to pursue their thesis: University of Michigan (UoM, USA), Osaka University (OU, Japan), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, Brazil), University of New South Wales (UNSW, Australia), Istanbul Technical University (ITU, Turkey), National University of Sciences and Technology of Oran (USTO, Algeria), Alexandria University (AASTM, Egypt) and WEGEMT (Associations of EU universities in the field of Marine Technologies).


Watch the Campus France Replay

Course Content

The programme is a two-year master's course, fully taught in English, consisting of four semesters of study (120 ECTS), in accordance with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Student mobility is compulsory - each student must spend time at a minimum of two universities.

Students spend their first two semesters at either Ghent University, Belgium or Universitatea Dunărea de Jos, Romania. For the third semester students can choose between Centrale Nantes, University of Rostock in Germany, Instituto Superior Técnico Lisboa, Portugal, Université de Liège, Belgium or Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. The master's thesis/internship in the final semester can be undertaken under the supervision of the same institution or at a partner university.


Download syllabus | EMSHIP+ at Centrale Nantes


 
M2 Year

Admissions

The EMship+ programme is open to holders of a university degree (Bachelor of Science or equivalent) who are able to follow the programme in English. All candidates must have relevant background in:
 

  • Mathematics, numerical analysis, basics in computer programming
  • Solid mechanics, structural analysis, mechanics of materials, dynamics of mechanical systems
  • Applied thermodynamics, fluid mechanics

Applications

Scholarship opportunities

Erasmus Mundus scholarship covering tuition fees, living expenses and travel costs are available.
Consortium scholarships covering part of the tuition fees are also available.

Learn more: http://www.emship.eu/scholarships

After the Master

At the end of the Master's programme, there is a wide range of career opportunities that lead to jobs in production (shipyards), in business (part suppliers: propulsion, dredging, ships specialised in windmill transport, etc.), in research institutes (ship model basin (HSVA), CMT (naval technology, etc.), certification companies (BV, DNV-GL, LR, etc.) as well as in a academia working towards a PhD. Current experience is that 98% of graduates find a job in Europe or their home country within 6 months.

Typical career opportunities:
 

  • ship and marine structure design,
  • numerical simulation for fluids and structures,
  • marine renewable energies,
  • building and maintenance in shipyards,
  • safety and sustainability management.

What our students / graduates say: watch the videos
Video transcript

Meet our Students: Paco, from the USA, Master Marine TechnologyM-TECH HOE & EMs

I'm Paco. I'm from Seattle in the United States and I'm an M2 student studying HOE with EMship+ programme. 

Why did you decide to join Centrale Nantes? 

With EMship+ we have a couple of options throughout Europe and Centrale Nantes was the option that gave the opportunity to study hydrodynamics. 

How is the programme going so far? 

Really great! I really enjoy how engaged all the faculty, the professors, are and the small class size. 

What about student life on campus?

So far, it's been very welcoming. It's a little intimidating coming to France as a foreigner who doesn't necessarily speak great French, but everyone here has been very open and welcoming. 

Any advice for new applicants? 

Just go for it. There's no reason not to. 

Centrale Nantes in 3 words?

Welcoming - Innovative - Ecological 
Video transcript

Meet our Graduates: Lazare, from France, Master Marine Technology M-TECH HOE Emship+++++

Hello. My name is Lazare. I'm from France and I did the Emship+ Master's Programme in the Design of Ships and Offshore Structures and the HOE in Centrale Nantes which is Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering. 

How do you feel on graduation day?

It's a great day, everyone is super happy. There's a good show on stage with musicians and dancers. It's really the day to mark our achievement and the end of studies and now it's time to go work. It's really exciting! 

What's your best memory of Centrale Nantes? 

Definitely a surf session, near the coast which is really good down here in Nantes. With some friends from Centrale Nantes, we went surfing for a sunset session. It was brilliant! 

What are you doing now?

I'm gonna start working in January for an offshore sailing team Medallia, which does the Vendée Globe race. I'm going to work for them for one year in the UK. 

Centrale Nantes in 3 words?

Respect - Dedication - Network

Published on September 3, 2020 Updated on February 11, 2025