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Southampton Solent University logo

BSc (Hons)Maritime Business

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Starting in2025
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UCAS code: MAB3
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study maritime business with a foundation year

If you’re looking for an exciting international career and playing a key part in global trade, Solent can offer you the vital skills needed for this fast-moving business environment.

  • Top0%
    for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
  • 0th
    UK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
  • £0m
    invested in our campus estate and facilities
  • If you’re looking to study our maritime business degree, but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress.
  • Solent Business School, winner of the Outstanding Higher Education Training Provider of the Year at the CMI Awards 2022, holds the Small Business Charter. Solent is one of only 62 Business Schools to have this acknowledgement of excellence in working with SMEs.
  • 95% positivity score for academic support (NSS 2024)*. *Across our BSc (Hons) Maritime Business and BSc (Hons) Shipping and Port Management).
  • Solent ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for satisfaction with assessment in business and management (out of 117 institutions) (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
  • Study in the heart of Southampton – a major hub in the UK and European maritime and shipping industry.
  • You will study real-world problems derived from the industry and work on projects with clients including Red Funnel, Ocean Infinity, and more.
  • Develop your professional connections at our annual maritime conference with Solent graduates and senior professionals from the industry.
  • Solent graduates have gone on to roles with companies including Bibby, Aberdeen; Lloyd’s Register, London; Odjfjell Tankers, Bergen; Cargill, Geneva; Carnival UK; P&O Cruises, Cunard, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.

Course overview

The business and law foundation year is ideal for those who are looking at an alternative route into higher education, or who wish to update or broaden their knowledge before progressing onto a full undergraduate degree. The course will help you develop a strong foundation of business knowledge, alongside academic and transferable skills, to ensure you get the most out of your degree-level studies – and provides a direct entry point to the BSc (Hons) Maritime Business degree.

The maritime business sector is vast and fast moving, multidisciplinary and strongly influenced by geopolitical change. With shipping responsible for approximately 90% of the movement of global trade, the importance of good management is clear – and this course delivers the essential package to meet the needs of today's maritime business environment.

Offering a holistic overview of the industry, alongside insider knowledge and understanding of the way in which this complex and dynamic industry operates, the course is designed to prepare you to make an immediate contribution in the workplace.

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 a wide range of experience and knowledge, and as part of a large 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 variations in cultural and business practices.

And our annual maritime conference will help you develop your professional connections still further, bringing Solent alumni and senior professionals from the industry on campus to talk to students about their early career experiences, help develop employability, and more.

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Accredited by:

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Accredited by:

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Course features

  • Professional accreditation

    This course has been accredited by a professional body

  • Foundation year available

    If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years

  • 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

  • Placement year

    If you apply for this course with a placement year, you have the opportunity to undertake a year in industry between your second and third years

Who is this course for?

The business and law foundation year is ideally suited for students who want to build their academic knowledge and confidence to return to studying or progress in your studies. You’ll develop strong academic and organisational skills, and prepare yourself for successful careers in a range of business industries – studying a curriculum that is not just about theory but real-world application.

The maritime business degree is suited to students who have an interest in the world of shipping and a desire to understand both how maritime business is undertaken and what drives this global industry.

What does this course lead to?

Maritime business graduates have gone on to find roles with a wide range of companies, including: Bibby, Aberdeen; Allports, Southampton; Braemar Seascope, Sarzana; Galbraiths London; Lloyd’s Register, London; Odjfjell Tankers, Bergen; Cargill, Geneva; Carnival UK, Southampton; Ince & Co (Admiralty Law office), London; Baltic line, Bergen; DP World Southampton; UK P&I Club; Sustainable Shipping Initiative; International Maritime Organisation and DHL.

Graduate stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

Meet the team

The course team has wide-ranging experience and knowledge.

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.

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