Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering

Study marine technology at Aalto University

Future marine technologies can solve environmental challenges for shipping and logistics, improve operational efficiency and assist in the sustainable exploitation of ocean space – there is no shortage of challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector.
Model ship through ice in Aalto Ice Tank basin
Aalto Ice Tank is a unique piece of infrastructure that allows for experimental research in both model-scale ice and open water.

Marine technology is a multidisciplinary field of engineering in which experts of many types are needed to develop and maintain safe and sustainable traffic on the world's waters.

At Aalto University, education in marine technology aims for an in-depth understanding of maritime engineering, including fundamental principles for design and construction, hydrodynamics, loads, structural analyses, stability, marine traffic risk management and winter navigation.

We wish to give students a thorough foundation that supports lifelong learning and research so that your knowledge base does not become obsolete. As a student, your course choices are based on your desired field of professional specialisation and guided by systematic academic advising.

View the Aalto University Marine Technology Annual Report 2020–2021 (.pdf)

The passenger ferry Tallink Megastar sails the Baltic Sea.
The liquid natural gas-powered passenger ferry Tallink Megastar sails the Baltic Sea. Photo courtesy of Meyer Turku.

Studies

The best way to access degree studies in the field of marine technology is through the Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering, which is taught in English.

In addition to marine technology, the master's programme includes studies in fields such as mechatronics and product development. 

Visit the programme's page

For a suitable bachelor's degree, check out the Computational Engineering major in the Aalto Bachelor's Programme in Science and Technology!

Minor studies

The marine technology minor studies package provides the basics of maritime engineering for students of other master’s programmes at Aalto University and other FITech universities, e.g. students majoring in fields related to ICT and digitalisation. 

Visit the marine technology minor's page

Study paths

Examples of study paths available to master's degree students of marine technology have been outlined below. For in-depth descriptions of these paths and their course lists, refer to our flyer on marine technology studies.

Keep in mind that while these study paths have been designed to give you an in-depth education in the field of your choosing, they are not set in stone! You can still include courses from other areas to build out your personal profile with the help of your academic advisor.

Marine technology student at an industrial expo in Russia
Aalto University student on an excursion to a marine technology fair in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Careers after graduation

Aalto University's marine technology education gives you the tools needed to perform design and research duties in the marine industry. The majority of graduates work in design and research positions in shipyards, research institutes, design offices, shipping companies and regulatory institutions.

Finnish marine industry

Finland has a unique geographical location – you might consider it an island with thousands of lakes in the corner of Europe. In wintertime, most of the sea and lakes are covered with ice, posing many challenges to Finnish ship and port operators.

Despite the harsh winters, products of the Finnish shipbuilding industry are not limited to ice-going vessels. Finland is also known for specialised products such as cruise, RoPax and LNG vessels as well as azimuthing propulsion systems. Finnish ship equipment, offshore and boat industries are also well known around the world.

The industry is always looking for new professionals to design, build and operate its products. Our research group at the Department of Mechanical Engineering conducts long-term research that is closely related to the challenges encountered by the Finnish maritime industry.

View a digital brochure on the Finnish maritime sector: in English or in Finnish

News

A ship in the sea
Press releases Published:

Ammonia – a new green energy solution? Research project receives €2.5 million in funding

Ammonia is a promising alternative fuel for the marine industry and for storing green hydrogen, but there are many question marks over its use.
Aalto University
Research & Art Published:

Nordic joint project aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from marine traffic

The research project develop renewable fuels suitable for ships' combustion engines.
Mashrura Musharraf, photo by by Jaakko Kahilaniemi
University Published:

Mashrura Musharraf: You don’t get to see a lot of women like me in academic leadership positions

'I think my shoes are quite unique, and so is my path. You don’t get to see a lot of women like me, a non-white female from Bangladesh, in academic leadership positions. Especially in a male-dominated field like marine technology.'
Ernst Enkvist
University Published:

Ernst Enkvisti in Memoriam (1931–2023)

Naval Architect developed Finnish know-how in shipbuilding.

See also

A model ship sails in the Aalto Ice and Wave Tank basin.

Marine and Arctic Technology

We focus on the behaviour of ships and structures in normal and extreme environments. We do our research by considering the safety of maritime transportation, as well as the experiences the marine environment can offer to cruise vessel passengers.

Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering
Aalto Ice Tank

Aalto Ice and Wave Tank

Aalto Ice and Wave Tank is a multipurpose basin ideally suited for testing ships and other maritime structures in ice conditions.

Research and learning infrastructures
Kolme ihmistä kävelee vierekkäin alas portaita.

FITech Network University

Study courses organised by Finnish universities of technology free of charge. Courses are aimed at all Finns and permanent residents of Finland.

Study at Aalto
Lu Liangliang and S.A. Agulhas II in the Antarctica

At the edge of the world in pursuit of ship safety

What is it like to go to the Antarctic on business?

News
  • Published:
  • Updated:
Share
URL copied!