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 Sciences
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Starting in:Â 2025
Register your interestCampus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a maritime sciences degree at Solent University
Top up your professional Certificate of Competency (CoC) as an Officer of Watch to a full academic honours degree from our distinguished Warsash Maritime School.
- 0yearsof providing maritime training to seafarers
- Top0%for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- Turn your Professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch (STCW II/I) into a full academic honours degree.
- The course also incorporates the underpinning knowledge for the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (STCW (II/2). 
- This specialist degree is designed and taught by industry experts and tailored to the requirements of the maritime industry. 
- Elements of the course are delivered in our ultra-modern simulation suites. 
- You will have access to an extensive maritime alumni network. Warsash Maritime School graduates can be found throughout the maritime industry worldwide, in every role from shore-side management to senior positions at sea. 
- Our Warsash Maritime School is a world-class hub of maritime excellence with over 70 years' history of maritime education, and an international reputation for quality. 
- Study in the heart of Southampton – a major hub in the UK and European maritime and shipping industry. 
Course overview
As well as providing a thorough understanding of the interrelationships and fundamental principles of the three main maritime functional areas – navigation, shipboard operations and ship management – the course also incorporates the underpinning knowledge for the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (STCW (II/2).
During your studies you will develop the knowledge, understanding and analytical problem-solving skills to anticipate, identify and generate timely and workable solutions to a wide range of problems and issues in those three areas, through the application of theoretical knowledge, practical and professional skills and experience in the workplace.
Our student-centred focus creates a learning environment which is academically rigorous, intellectually challenging and industry-relevant – giving you the tools to think independently, evaluate and enhance your own learning, challenge existing industry practices, and address real-world issues efficiently.
Fostering personal, interpersonal and leadership skills to work effectively as an individual and part of a team, on graduation you will be well placed to take your maritime career to the next level either at sea or in a wide range of shore-based roles, covering everything from management to legal, operations to insurance.
This course is part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries – industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall:Â +44 (0)23 8201 5066Course features
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Who is this course for?
This course is ideally suited for experienced mariners with requisite sea service who wish to enhance their understanding of the sciences associated with the wider maritime sector, and improve their career prospects for roles ashore and offshore by gaining a BSc (Hons) academic degree.
What does this course lead to?
A full honours degree can help advance your career in the maritime industry, with roles ranging from management, operations, finance, legal or insurance in shore-based ship management offices, to being the preferred choice for offshore roles based on your sea-going experience.
Meet the team
Students learn from a team with a broad range of industry and academic experience.
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
The NAEST (Management level) course will be delivered in our state-of-the-art simulation suites, as will some MCA Orals prep lectures and exercises.
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
Advanced Ship Stability and Construction
This module develops your understanding of factors affecting stability and trim, focusing on application of academic theories and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations to real life situations and problems. The module also covers ship structures, construction of ships, damage limitation, maintenance, and conduct of surveys.
Bridge and Engineering Systems
Expand your knowledge of the application of regulations and systems from a command perspective; operation of ships’ navigational equipment in normal and reversionary modes; vessel manoeuvring in confined waters and non-standard circumstances; and develop a basic understanding of marine engineering systems and procedures.
Cargo and Port Operations
This module develops the knowledge and understanding required for planning, loading, handling, stowage, carriage, custody, care and discharge of wet and dry cargoes. Learn about the regulations, codes, conventions and other legal instruments that pertain to port and cargo operations, as well as the potential commercial and legal penalties for non-compliance.
Command Passage Planning
Explore the activities and duties involved in passage planning and conducting navigation from a leadership and command perspective. Learn to appraise, prepare for and document the passage, and to make contingency and action plans for emergency situations.
Law and Management for Mates and Masters
Develop your understanding of legal and management issues which can arise in ship management at a Master’s level, enhance your ability to analyse the dynamics of the legal structure between various parties, and learn to develop and apply practical solutions within that legal framework.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Written exams
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Assignments
- Dissertation
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.
Access Solent 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?
The maritime sector handles about 95% of the UK’s global trade, and the global economy depends on it. It’s an exciting and rewarding career, with diverse industries and roles – both shipboard and shore-side, covering everything from superyacht design to port logistics to sustainable shipping to insurance and law.
And with the sector expected to double its revenue to about £2 trillion by 2030, maritime needs experienced innovators and problem solvers to help shape its future and that of our world.
There are many routes to careers in maritime, but Solent’s top-up honours degrees offers the skills, professional practice and formal qualifications you need to excel in the 21st century maritime sector.
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
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
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Tuition fees
The 2025/26 fees are not yet available. For guidance, the 2021/22 fees were:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £12,000 per year
- International full-time fees: £12,500 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@solent.ac.uk.
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 £15. 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 Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
This is a Level 5 and 6 top-up course. Applicants must have a professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch (STCW II/I).
Minimum 12 months’ sea time as OOW.
Key entry requirements
This is a Level 5 and 6 top-up course. Applicants must have a professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch (STCW II/I).
Minimum 12 months’ sea time as OOW.
Key entry requirements
This is a Level 5 and 6 top-up course. Applicants must have a professional Certificate of Competency as an Officer of Watch (STCW II/I).
Minimum 12 months’ sea time as OOW.
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:Â admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall:Â +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Applications for this course are made directly to the University and can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. If you have any questions about applying for this course, please contact the admissions office by emailing admissions@solent.ac.uk.
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
- 2 years part-time
