BSc in Maritime Studies

Maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy. The standards of living in the industrialised and developed countries as well as the livelihoods and employment of billions of people in the developing world, depend on ships and shipping. Globalisation means that sea transport will continue to play a pivotal role in trade movements well beyond the 21st century. Cyprus, as a leading EU maritime nation, is also among the top maritime countries in the world and a well-established commercial and business hub.

International trade is built on the interrelationships of transportation, economic growth and globalisation plus the underlying processes of shipping, trade patterns, finance and regulation. The Frederick University BSc Programme in Maritime Studies aims to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the trade and maritime sectors.

The BSc in Maritime Studies is firmly established and respected in the shipping and trading community, being the first Programme of its kind in the Republic of Cyprus

The BSc Programme in Maritime Studies aims to equip students with a thorough knowledge of every aspect of the Maritime Business applied on a broad business administration knowledge base. As a result, our graduates are able to fulfill the requirements of any managerial post within the maritime world and its associated activities.

The curriculum prepares the students to meet all challenges of the modern Shipping corporate world through a unique blend of professional and academic courses. It takes a hands-on approach to instruction, directed by dedicated faculty composed of experts in their fields. Practical training programmes and professional seminars are also offered, further enriching our students’ studies, enabling them to become rapidly adaptive to the needs of future employers and to respond appropriately and imaginatively to emerging issues in this dynamic industry.

Key Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student is expected to:

• Converse intelligently about the global economy and discuss all issues related to Maritime Economics for all the Shipping Sectors
• Exhibit a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of issues related to Maritime Law and Insurance, as well as to broader legal issues
• Evaluate a Shipping Investment
• Describe and discuss the International Maritime Regulations and associated ship management practices that decisively influence the shipping business
• Have a firm grasp of the economic, political and social forces shaping the globalizing trends of the world in the 21st century, as experienced in the structure and functions of the shipping industry
• Demonstrate a strong background in the standard core curriculum of business administration courses
• Use a firm foundation for the continual process of learning; be prepared for postgraduate studies and research in Cyprus and abroad.

Field Work / Professional Experience

The work placement module for BSc students provides the opportunity for practical insight in the various sectors of companies in the maritime industry and reflection upon their knowledge gained through their studies. Students acquire a practical understanding and know-how of the procedures and the skills required within the various functions of shipping companies such as crew management, liner shipping operations, shipping accounting, port agency, purchasing, logistics and warehouse distribution as well as time and voyage chartering. This module constitutes an excellent opportunity for students to compare and contrast their own personal career interests in relation to the industry’s sectors and make informed professional choices upon graduation. The work placement takes place during the summer period. Students who have completed their 3rd year of full-time studies in the BSc Maritime Studies programme and exhibit a high GPA score can choose to undertake the specific module.

Career Opportunities

The Department of Maritime Transport and Commerce is proud to claim 95 % employment of graduates in accordance with recent research studies. A wide range of opportunities, in demanding and challenging posts, is available to prospective graduates. The diversity of subsector activities forming the infrastructure of world trade and transport involves many hundreds of large, medium and small firms, all of them relying in varying degrees upon versatile skilled professionals. Public sector agencies with regulatory responsibilities together with NGO’s and other public interest organisations all need to be able to draw upon the same pool of well-educated people. Cyprus is one of the biggest ship management centres worldwide with more than 200 ship owning, ship management and ancillary shipping-related companies who maintain premises in the country and undertake international operations from the island. Approximately, 9,000 on shore people are employed within the Cyprus maritime cluster. In addition, a number of prominent international trade and shipping companies opt to move their premises to the favourable environment of Cyprus.

Recognition / Accreditation

The programme is approved by the Evaluation Committee of Private Universities (Ε.Α.Ι.Π.) and is accredited by the Cyprus Council of Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (ΚΥ.Σ.Α.Τ.Σ.). Frederick University graduates in Maritime Studies are exempted from a number of exams at the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.