Students wishing to participate in the design of structures such as docks or offshore mining platforms might do well to first complete a program in maritime engineering. Courses often included in these programs are hydrodynamics and ship design.

Due to the numerous countries within Oceania, work occasions and work permit laws differ greatly, with data on opportunities in some nations being limited. Australia and New Zealand are the most advanced countries in the area.

The MSc, or Master of Science, is an internationally recognized academic degree that indicates proficiency and knowledge of a given topic or field. Most MSc programs take about four years to finish, after which some join the workforce while others continue on in the classroom.