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Shipping Operations - Distance Learning at Southampton, Solent University - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Course summary

Is it time to take your maritime career to the next level? This two-year distance learning programme is ideally suited to maritime professionals who are hoping to move into shore-based management positions. You’ll learn specialist skills in ship safety management and shipping operations, solving complex problems during challenging workplace assignments. This postgraduate programme is delivered online using Solent University’s virtual learning environment, a web based platform that is accessible from anywhere in the world. Students learn as part of an online community of tutors, fellow students and student support services - just as they would if they went to the University itself. Each student has their own dedicated academic tutor and study partner, and studying online is made interesting, interactive, and engaging by forums, wikis, reflective journals and video presentations. Shipping industry experts are involved in the mentoring of work-based projects, further enhancing the value of student learning. This course is for: This master’s degree is aimed at maritime professionals who wish to move into shore-based management roles. The distance learning delivery of the course also makes it ideal for currently serving seafarers to study wherever they are in the world and whenever they are able to.

Modules

Core modules

  • International Maritime Context
This module is particularly designed to engage students in developing their skills of critical evaluation and evidenced argument (complementing work in the parallel study skills module) by starting from the student’s own experience and encouraging consideration and questioning of that experience from different perspectives.
  • Postgraduate and Self-managed Study
This module is specifically designed for working professionals who, while perhaps very senior and experienced in their own fields, have little familiarity with the demands and expectations of higher education (at postgraduate level in particular) and may be returning to education after a long gap.
  • Business Research Skills
The module is intended to deliver a fuller understanding of the skills and attributes of postgraduate study.
  • Risk and Safety Management
This module is one of the four comprising the Risk and Safety Management optional strand within the MSc Shipping Operations. The principal intention of the module is to consider and critically evaluate a range of theories and methodologies of risk and safety management and their implications for the management of shipping operations.
  • Legal Process
As part of the risk and safety management strand, this module is concerned with the legal aspects of safety processes and how these impact upon individuals and organisations within the international maritime industries, including issues of jurisdiction and individual and corporate liability.
  • Professional Skills and Practice Portfolio
This module provides the opportunity to create an evidence-based portfolio that illustrates how a student’s existing professional skills and their prior experiential learning shape practice and allow them to operate effectively in their present role.
  • Safety Culture
As part of the risk and safety optional strand, this module critically explores the concept of a safety culture within the context of maritime sector requirements.
  • Accident Investigation and Organisational Learning
As part of the risk and safety management optional strand, this module critically explores accident investigation and organisational learning within the context of maritime sector requirements.
  • Project
The Project is the culmination of studies for the MSc and enables students to draw together their learning from other elements of the course, including their specialised option strand, and to apply this to in-depth research and investigation of a self-generated topic within their workplace.

How to apply

International applicants

This course is delivered via distance learning and not eligible for a CAS/Student Visa.

Entry requirements

• An honours degree (2:2 or higher) in maritime studies, shipping, business or law, or another appropriate subject and relevant professional qualifications/experience. • A certificate of competence as a Master or Chief Engineer; Class 1 Master Mariner; Class 1 Engineer; STCW management-level qualifications, or equivalent; plus management-level experience in the sea transport industry (as a Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, First Engineer, or equivalent). • An HND or foundation degree via officer cadet route in an appropriate discipline, plus relevant professional qualifications and management experience. Language Requirements Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are: • IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component • TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking • Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component or equivalent. Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Tuition fees for 2025/26 will be available shortly. While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact [email protected].

Sponsorship information

Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.

Shipping Operations - Distance Learning at Southampton, Solent University - UCAS