“The University creates assignments similar to real industry situations and challenges.”
BSc (Hons)Maritime Business
Apply on UCAS- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
- 4 years with year in industry
- 5 years with foundation and industry years
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)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- £0minvested 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).
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.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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Accredited by:
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.
What you'll study
Core modules
Academic and Personal Development
As a future business, finance, marketing, maritime or law professional, awareness of personal strengths and development areas is essential to your success. This module teaches you critical academic and communication skills, and introduces the living CV concept.
Introduction to Business
Understanding the business environment is vital for running a business. Learn about the various forms, purposes, types of ownership and governance structures across different sectors and scales, explore strategy and its implementation, and look at measurement and environmental modelling.
Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Law
Effective marketing allows businesses to develop sustainable and valuable relationships with their audiences. Exploring real-world case studies, this module covers introductory marketing theories alongside branding, customer insight and data, GDPR, consumer rights and the latest innovations.
Introduction to Law
Understand the nature and sources of law and key concepts underlying legal systems. This module will look at the English legal system, consider the different courts and their functions, legal personnel and the legislative process.
Understanding Finance
Understanding finance requirements is key to ensuring a business thrives. You will learn fundamental terms and concepts, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), regulation, cashflow, financial statements and accountability – ensuring you are an asset to your team.
Business or Law Project
Study the value and social impact of enterprise, working as a group to analyse local organisations and provide valuable insights – and developing vital skills that employers are looking for, from research and teamwork to effective communication.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Assignments
- Group work
- Group presentations
- Individual 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 moreStudy 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 maritime?
Shipping is a key link in the global supply chain and accounts for over 90 per cent of all imports and exports. With the growing demand of a global population, levels of international trade have dramatically increased over the last four decades. In the UK alone, this translates to a contribution of around £31 billion for the UK economy and the maritime industry is responsible for one in every 50 jobs. With the world shipping fleet growing at just under 4 per cent per year and anticipated annual growth in seaborne trade demand currently sitting at 3-4 per cent, the employment opportunities within the maritime sector look set to expand.
On our specialist maritime business degree students gain key knowledge and specific expertise in business, management, law, the supply chain and finance – all of the essential skills required to apply for a range of roles in this major global industry. From shipbrokers and chartering, ship management and operations, port and terminal management to shipping analysts, freight forwarding logistics professionals and supply chain specialists - the opportunities in this industry are as diverse as the cargo it carries.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
“The University creates assignments similar to real industry situations and challenges.”
Solent Futures
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.
If you're in your final year, 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:
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MSc International Shipping and Logistics
Over 90 per cent of the world’s goods are transported by sea, making shipping and shipping logistics a vital part of world trade. Solent University’s international shipping and...
MSc International Maritime Business
Keen to learn more about the business of maritime? With a rich blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, Solent’s International Maritime Business master’s programme...
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £15,050 for foundation level. Fees will increase for year 1.
- 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. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Optional costs
- Optional trip either in the UK or abroad: approx £350
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.
Solent EU Welcome Scholarship (Fee Discount)
This scholarship is available to students from an EU country, with EU nationality, who are applying for an undergraduate course starting in September 2025. The scholarship will reduce your tuition fees to £10,500.
Find out more about the scholarship
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 £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
48 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP, a T-Level Pass (D or E), or equivalent.
- We will consider mature students who haven't recently undertaken a formalised course of study at A-level or equivalent, but who can demonstrate relevant workplace or voluntary experience, indicating their ability to complete the course successfully.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
We will also consider overseas applicants in an equivalent situation to UK students as outlined above, and who have been taught in English or have IELTS 5.5, or equivalent.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
We will also consider overseas applicants in an equivalent situation to UK students (as outlined above) and who have been taught in English or have IELTS 5.5 or equivalent.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
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 international admissions
Email: Call:How 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.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
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 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual 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.
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
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
- 4 years with year in industry
- 5 years with foundation and industry years