Shipping and Logistics MSc

Overview

Our Master's in Shipping and Logistics is for both practising professionals and new graduates. Our graduates come from a range of disciplines, usually (but not exclusively) including:

• engineering
• law
• business
• economics
• geography
• IT
• shipping

We often welcome former seafarers looking to transition ashore as well. Make sure that your ticket is equal to the entry qualification requirements.

Our aim is to prepare you for a career in the global shipping and logistics industries. You'll learn how each industry operates and the current challenges they're facing. You’ll also experience shipping and logistics in operation through various site visits. This includes spending an afternoon on our research vessel, The Princess Royal.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

This MSc in Shipping and Logistics is not an extension of a bachelor's degree. It's about learning to think and operate at a professional level in a specific context. It is for this reason that the dissertation takes such a central role.

The dissertation aims to:

• teach you to think for yourself
• provide you with the ability to get the data and information you need
• enable you to judge the value and quality of that data and information
• build on your decision-making skills

We'll give you significant access to industry, academic data and published materials. We expect you to use these sources throughout your work.

You'll gain detailed ‘know how’ of various aspects of shipping and logistics including:

• the structure of the fleet and trade
• markets and maritime economics
• chartering
• maritime geography
• the basis of insurance and legal aspects of shipping and logistics
• supply chain management
• data, digitisation, and new technologies
• risk and financing
• future technologies

Additionally, you’ll learn core skills in:

• information processing
• teamwork
• communication and presentation
• commercial awareness
• data collection and analysis
• problem solving

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Shipping and Logistics MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Connected, Automated & Intelligent Transport Systems	10
Transport Research Methods	10
Technologies for Future Mobility	10
Marine Transport Business	10
Marine Liability Insurance and Law	10
Maritime Economics	10
Logistics	20
Dissertation	80
Shipping Market Analysis	10
Commercial Awareness and Data Analytics	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our teaching method consists of:

• lectures
• seminars
• personal supervision

Our modules mostly take a block delivery approach, and are taught by industry experts, visiting professors and leading staff based in the University. You’ll also join us on industry site visits throughout the course.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

Dissertation

You'll undertake advanced research on an appropriate shipping or logistics related topic. This is a part of an independent dissertation across all three semesters.

We encourage you to engage with the industry as part of this process, to maximise the relevance of your work.

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Prof D John Mangan

Professor of Marine Transport and Logistics
Areas of expertise:

• marine transport
• logistics
• ports
• supply chain management

Your development

Professional skills

Newcastle University is home to world-leading shipping and logistics research. It is diverse and reflects our drive to use cutting-edge research to solve problems of global importance. Taught by leaders in their field you'll benefit from:

• research-led teaching
• access to state-of-the-art facilities

You'll also engage with fellow students across other maritime and transport disciplines. You'll be able to network with key companies in the industry, allowing you to enhance your employability.

Fieldtrip opportunities

Throughout the course, you’ll have the chance to put theory into practice, as we visit key industry sites. Recent visits included:

• IMO
• Clarksons

The aim is to expose you to leading industry players.

Visits to ships and ports are also undertaken as the opportunity arises.

Guest lecturers

You will be able to attend lectures delivered by guest lecturers who are global experts in their field.

Your future

Graduate destinations

As well as shipping companies and ports, potential employers include:

• logistics service providers
• commodity traders
• research and data providers
• financial services providers
• regulators and government agencies
• handling agents
• ship brokers
• insurance companies
• ship builders and repairers

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

To support your studies and enhance your learning experience, you'll have access to a range of dedicated facilities, including:

• blended social learning spaces
• environments for quiet study and busy group work
• computer clusters
• specialist shipping data sources

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

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INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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