Master in Yacht Design at University of Genoa
Two-year English-taught LM-34 master's at the University of Genoa's La Spezia campus on the design, hydrodynamics, structures and construction of yachts and mega yachts, with shipyard internships.
Master
2 years
Genoa
English
University of Genoa
Yacht Design is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in naval engineering (LM-34) taught in English by the University of Genoa at its La Spezia campus. It trains engineers to design, verify and oversee the building of yachts and mega yachts. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in engineering of at least three years (180 ECTS), or an equivalent foreign degree; only engineering bachelors are accepted in the non-EU pre-selection.
- English at B2 level or a medium-of-instruction (MOI) certificate.
- For the 2026/27 non-EU pre-selection: a minimum CGPA of 75%, with no remote interview.
- CV, degree certificate and transcript of records uploaded to UniGeApply.
- The course also checks your personal preparation for the specialist subjects before enrolment.
About the programme
Yacht Design is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-34, naval engineering) worth 120 ECTS and offered in English by the University of Genoa. It is run by DITEN, the Department of Naval, Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering, and taught in person at the university's La Spezia campus, the Polo G. Marconi.
The university describes it as unique in Italy and, as configured, in Europe. It suits engineering graduates who want to combine naval engineering with architectural and design skills applied to pleasure craft, from understanding and verifying a yacht to designing large yachts with new technologies and directing their construction, testing, maintenance and repair.
What you will study
The course covers pleasure craft design from a scientific, technological and aesthetic point of view. Units described on the course page include:
- Yacht Stability: stability and buoyancy standards, leaks, rolling and stabilisation, speed effects
- Yacht Dynamics: manoeuvrability, seakeeping and dynamic stability
- Ship Structures: the finite element method for static structural problems
- Numerical Marine Hydrodynamics: advanced numerical methods for naval architecture
- Motor Yacht Design: advanced topics in preliminary design
- Yacht Rigging: scantling of sailing systems and structural sail design
- Sailing Yacht Aero Hydro Dynamics: sail aerodynamics and hull interaction
- Yacht Design Studio Workshop: onboard space and layout across several decks
How the programme is taught
Lectures are supported by design and nautical testing labs, internships at shipyards, design studios, classification registers and surveying bodies, nautical conferences and workshops, university regattas, and research theses on topics proposed by companies. Students can join workshops and the building or refit of boats designed by students at the La Spezia campus.
Career paths
Graduates work in construction shipyards, repair and refit yards, classification registers and surveying bodies, design and consultancy studios, and research institutes in the yacht and mega yacht sector. The course reports that more than 90% of its graduates find work at major shipyards and consultancy studios in the field.
Fees and scholarships
UniGe charges by family income through the ISEE-U, or the ISEE-U parificato for students whose families live abroad. In 2026/27 a first-year student at €13,000 or below pays only stamp duty and the regional tax, and the ceiling for engineering degrees is €3,300 a year. Regional scholarships from ALiSEO Liguria can cover more, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Only engineering bachelors are accepted, and in 2026/27 the minimum CGPA for non-EU applicants was 75%, with no remote interview and no extra documents beyond the CV, degree certificate and transcript.
The first step is UniGeApply, the university's pre-evaluation of foreign qualifications. The 2026/27 visa applicants' session ran from 26 November 2025 to 20 March 2026 with a €30 fee for up to two courses. Accepted students then pre-enrol on Universitaly, complete UniGe pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. The 2027/28 calendar is pending.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Where is Yacht Design taught?
At the University of Genoa's La Spezia campus, the Polo G. Marconi. Teaching is in person and in English.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Only bachelor's degrees in engineering, of at least three years. In the 2026/27 non-EU pre-selection the minimum CGPA was 75%.
Is there an entrance test or interview?
The 2026/27 non-EU pre-selection had no remote interview and no test: the committee assessed your CV, degree and transcript. The course also checks personal preparation before enrolment.
What will I study?
Yacht stability and dynamics, ship structures, numerical marine hydrodynamics, motor yacht design, yacht rigging, sailing yacht aero-hydrodynamics and a yacht design studio workshop, with labs and internships.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2027/28 call is not out yet. For 2026/27 the UniGeApply session for visa applicants ran from 26 November 2025 to 20 March 2026, with a €30 fee.
What jobs do graduates get?
Roles in shipyards, refit yards, classification registers, design studios and research institutes in the yacht sector. The course reports that more than 90% of its graduates find work in the field.
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