If you studied mechanical engineering, naval architecture or marine technology and want to design the ships and offshore structures of the next decade \u2014 fishing vessels, workboats, offshore aquaculture platforms and wind-farm support craft included \u2014 there is one European programme built exactly for that. EMship, the International Master in Advanced Design of Sustainable Ships and Offshore Structures, has opened applications for the 2027\u20132028 academic year, and the clock that matters most is short: scholarship-track applications close on 31 January 2027.
Be clear-eyed about what this is before you apply. EMship is a maritime engineering degree, not a fisheries-science degree. Its graduates design hulls, structures and offshore systems; they do not study fish biology. For Fisheries India readers from naval architecture, marine technology and mechanical engineering backgrounds \u2014 including those who want to work on fishing-vessel and offshore aquaculture design \u2014 it is a genuinely relevant, fully international route. For a pure fisheries-science graduate with no engineering degree, it almost certainly is not: the eligibility rules below are strict, and they exclude some maritime qualifications outright.
EMship 2027\u201328 at a glance
| Item | Detail (official EMship pages, verified 5 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Programme | EMship \u2014 International Master in Advanced Design of Sustainable Ships and Offshore Structures |
| Level and length | Two-year, full-time master, taught entirely in English (2 \u00d7 60 ECTS) |
| Partners | 7 European universities (see table below) |
| Start | September 2027 |
| Applications | Open now for 2027\u20132028 (application form went online 1 October 2026) |
| Scholarship-track deadline | 31 January 2027 |
| Self-funded, visa needed | Before 1 April 2027 |
| Self-funded, no visa needed | Before 1 June 2027 |
| Scholarship interviews | March 2027; outcomes by end of March 2027 |
| Nationality restriction | None \u2014 all nationalities welcome (tuition fees depend on nationality category) |
| Thesis | At a partner institution or an associated partner, including industry and competent authorities |
The 7 partner universities
| University | Country |
|---|---|
| Ghent University | Belgium |
| University of Li\u00e8ge | Belgium |
| Universitatea Dun\u0103rea de Jos din Gala\u021bi | Romania |
| Universit\u00e4t Rostock | Germany |
| \u00c9cole Centrale de Nantes | France |
| Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico Lisboa | Portugal |
| Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid | Spain |
That is 7 universities in 6 countries \u2014 two of them in Belgium \u2014 so do not let any summary claiming \u201c7 countries\u201d mislead you. Mobility across the consortium is the point of the degree: you study at more than one partner, and the master\u2019s thesis can be done with an industry or institutional partner rather than only inside a university department.
Who can apply \u2014 and who cannot
The academic bar is specific, and the programme states it twice, on both its how-to-apply and FAQ pages:
- Required: a bachelor\u2019s degree or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution, minimum 3 years of full-time study or 180 ECTS, in mechanical engineering, electromechanical engineering, naval architecture, marine technology or a related discipline.
- Final-year students can apply with an official certificate of enrolment and their most recent marks list \u2014 but the degree must be obtained before the programme starts in September 2027.
- Explicitly NOT eligible: marine engineers (STCW) and holders of a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (the Belgian ing. bachelor programme).
- Also excluded in practice: applicants whose bachelor\u2019s education as Chief Engineer / Marine Engineer / Maritime Engineer was focused on becoming head of a ship\u2019s engine room \u2014 the FAQ says such applicants will not be considered eligible.
- No minimum CGPA is required. Admission is based on your complete educational history, not a single cut-off mark.
- Work experience is not an added value \u2014 the programme says so plainly, and adds that excessive work experience can even hinder resuming studies. Publications are not expected either.
Inside the application you will be asked to list, course by course, what you studied in mathematics (the programme calls this the most crucial area), programming and engineering software such as Python, MATLAB, CFD, FEM and CAD, mechanical engineering topics such as structure analysis and dynamics, and thermofluids. Naval architecture topics \u2014 offshore structures, shipbuilding, hydrostatics, ship stability \u2014 are optional but relevant. If your transcript is thin on maths, that is the gap to address honestly in your personal statement, not to hide: the interview, the FAQ says, focuses significantly on evaluating your mathematical skills.
English language requirements
EMship is taught entirely in English and no knowledge of Dutch, Romanian or any other local language is required. You must submit one of these certificates, no more than two years old at the September start (Cambridge certificates up to three and a half years old):
| Test | Minimum required |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, at least 6.0 in each section |
| TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) | 92 overall, at least 20 in each section (MyBest scores not accepted) |
| Trinity ISE II | Distinction in all four components |
| Cambridge CAE / CPE | 176 total, at least 169 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall, at least 59 in each component |
Two practical concessions matter. First, you may submit your English certificate after the application deadline, but definitely before the programme starts \u2014 admission stays conditional until the file is complete, and an incomplete file has lower scholarship chances. Second, exemptions exist for some degrees from majority English-speaking countries or approved universities, but they must be requested and approved by the selection committee after you have applied; the programme explicitly says not to contact the office about exemptions before applying, and that studying a bachelor\u2019s in English alone does not guarantee one.
Fees \u2014 and the waiver most applicants miss
The tuition fee covers enrolment at all partner universities, insurance and all teaching activities. Accommodation, living and travel costs are not included and must be covered by the student.
| Category | Per year | Total (2 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-funded, partner country (any country outside the programme-country list) | \u20ac9,000 | \u20ac18,000 |
| Self-funded, programme country (EU/EEA list including Norway, Iceland, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia) | \u20ac4,500 | \u20ac9,000 |
| 50% waiver, partner country | \u20ac4,500 | \u20ac9,000 |
| 50% waiver, programme country | \u20ac2,250 | \u20ac4,500 |
The waiver is worth chasing: every year up to 20 self-funded high-potential students can receive a 50% discount on tuition. That is separate from the scholarship track, whose deadline is 31 January 2027. India falls in the partner-country category, so an Indian self-funded student faces \u20ac9,000 per year without a waiver, \u20ac4,500 per year with one. Do not budget on a scholarship amount you have seen on an aggregator site: the programme\u2019s own tuition page publishes the fees and the waiver, and this post claims no monthly stipend figure that the official pages do not state.
Documents checklist \u2014 start now, not in January
- Passport photo and copy of passport (or ID for EEA students);
- Europass CV and personal statement (typically 1\u20133 pages);
- Legalised copy of your bachelor\u2019s degree, original plus certified English translation if the original is not in English;
- Certified copy of your transcript, plus certified English translation;
- English language certificate (may follow after the deadline, before the programme starts);
- Two reference letters, sent directly to references@emship.eu \u2014 referees, not you, send these, so warn them early;
- Any other documentation you consider relevant.
Legalisation is the step that most often kills an otherwise good application. It can take weeks and cost real money. The programme allows a pragmatic workaround: upload the non-legalised degree with your university\u2019s stamp before the deadline to submit in time, and you can still receive conditional admission \u2014 but the fully legalised documents must be provided before the programme starts. Students with a Chinese degree should also note the APS screening requirement flagged on the official page. Once submitted, a file will normally not be changed, so the FAQ\u2019s advice is blunt: wait until you are sure everything is correct and complete before submitting.
How to apply, step by step
- Check eligibility first against the degree list above \u2014 especially the STCW and engine-room exclusions.
- Open the application form on the official EMship site (it went online on 1 October 2026) and fill it in fully, including the course-by-course breakdown of maths, programming, mechanics and thermofluids.
- Line up your referees now and make sure their letters reach references@emship.eu before the deadline.
- Submit before 31 January 2027 if you want scholarship consideration. After that date only self-funded applications are possible: before 1 April 2027 if you need a visa, before 1 June 2027 if you do not.
- Prepare for a possible online interview \u2014 scholarship applicants are interviewed in March 2027. Expect maths questions and a short presentation about yourself, your background and relevant achievements.
- Watch for the outcome: scholarship applicants hear by the end of March 2027; self-funded applicants by the end of June 2027. Self-funded tuition payment is due by the end of August 2027.
- Start the visa process immediately after admission through the Belgian or Romanian embassy or consulate, depending on where your first semester starts, and apply for university housing through the separate process the programme guides admitted students through. Physical presence during EMship Week is mandatory \u2014 you may start late only up to that week, and not beyond it.
Why this matters for fisheries and offshore aquaculture readers
Most Fisheries India education coverage is about fish science itself \u2014 aquaculture, marine biology, fisheries management. EMship sits one step sideways, and that is exactly why it is worth knowing about. Somebody has to design the vessels that fish from, the service boats that tend offshore cages, and the floating structures that hold aquaculture in open water. Sustainable ship design \u2014 lighter structures, cleaner propulsion, better seakeeping \u2014 decides whether offshore aquaculture is safe, economical and low-impact. If your background is engineering rather than biology, this is the European joint master that turns that interest into a career, with a thesis that can be done with an industry partner instead of only in a lecture hall.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a nationality restriction? No. All nationalities are welcome; only the tuition-fee category depends on nationality.
Is there a minimum CGPA? No. Admission rests on your complete educational history.
Can I apply in my final year? Yes, with an enrolment certificate and recent marks \u2014 but you must hold the degree before September 2027.
What if my English certificate arrives late? You can submit it after the deadline but before the programme starts; admission stays conditional, and scholarship chances fall without a complete file.
Can I change my file after submitting? Normally no. Check everything before you submit; later documents (new diploma, new language certificate, fresh legalisation) go to admission@UGent.be or the Oasis platform as the FAQ directs, quoting your application number.
What happens if I miss 31 January? You can still apply self-funded \u2014 before 1 April 2027 with a visa requirement, before 1 June 2027 without one \u2014 but not for the scholarship track.
Related reading on Fisheries India
- Aquaculture Master\u2019s in 3 Countries, \u20ac1,400/Month \u2014 the ACES-STAR aquaculture joint master, whose September 2027 applications open in January 2027.
- Europe\u2019s Marine Master\u2019s: 11 Universities, 1 Degree \u2014 IMBRSea marine biological resources, opening 1 December 2026 and closing 15 February 2027.
- \u00a37,000 Off Stirling Aquaculture MSc \u2014 Apply by Dec 15 \u2014 a nearer deadline for aquaculture students eyeing Scotland.
- Class 10 Pass? Sail the Seas: CIFNET\u2019s 120 Seats \u2014 India\u2019s own maritime route, for readers weighing a domestic option first.
Sources and official links
- EMship official homepage \u2014 \u201cApplications for the 2027\u20132028 academic year are now open\u201d, 7 partner universities, 2-year English programme: emship.eu
- EMship, How to apply \u2014 eligibility, English requirements, documents, deadlines (scholarship 31 January; self-funded 1 April / 1 June), interviews and outcomes: emship.eu/how-to-apply
- EMship, Tuition fees and scholarships \u2014 fee table and 50% waiver for up to 20 self-funded high-potential students per year: emship.eu/tuition-fees-scholarships
- EMship, FAQ \u2014 no nationality restriction, no minimum CGPA, STCW and engine-room exclusions, maths-focused interview, EMship Week attendance rule: emship.eu/faq
Fact-check note (5 November 2026): all dates, deadlines, fees and eligibility rules above were verified against the official EMship pages (emship.eu) on 5 November 2026. The 31 January deadline is the scholarship-track deadline for the 2027\u20132028 intake whose applications are currently open; the programme\u2019s own pages do not publish a monthly scholarship stipend figure, so none is claimed here. Confirm details on the official pages before applying \u2014 deadlines and fees can change. The featured image is an illustration, not a photograph of the programme.