Master of Science in Maritime Science
The Maritime Science programme is aimed at students of diverse academic backgrounds, who have a common passion for, and an interest in the maritime world. Prospective students with a job in the maritime sector may also profit from this programme to enhance their knowledge and skills.
What
Our programme comprises three core components (a technical-general component, an economic-logistic component and a legal component) and stays true to the multidisciplinary approach, which makes it unique in the global academic landscape. Our teaching staff consists of experts in their respective fields with international exposure and experience. There is a strong link with the professional maritime sector, providing students with information about the actual operations and common practices on the ground and preparing them for a professional career. As the maritime sector operates in an international environment, all course units are naturally English-taught. English is the language that rules the maritime sector. It is therefore essential that students are able to use the English terminology in a correct and efficient way. All course units have a European and an international dimension, resulting from the global nature of maritime transport. In addition to the normal academic activities and course units, we organise an annual study trip to London and many other visits throughout the academic year. These (field) trips and company visits are fully integrated into the curriculum.
For whom
The admission requirements depend on your prior education (type of degree, country of issue etc.) or additional experience.
Structure
The curriculum consists of a logical, uncluttered framework, consisting of compulsory course units (39 credits) and electives (6 credits). The compulsory course units represent the core of the study programme, while the electives offer the students the possibility to choose which (professional) direction they want to go, according to their personal interests and ambition, and allow for specialisation in a certain aspect of the maritime world. The three components are represented in both categories and these academic course units are supplemented by writing a Master’s dissertation (15 credits). The Master’s dissertation is a written essay on a maritime or transport-oriented topic, by means of which the student proves that he can analyse a specific topic thoroughly and individually and write his findings down in a structured and coherent manner. The student clarifies and defends the Master’s dissertation in an oral presentation. The curriculum’s legal component aims at fostering in-depth knowledge of the International Laws of the Sea, maritime law and transport law. The economic-logistic component aims at familiarising the students with the unique economic character of maritime transport, which is a global phenomenon with very specific dynamics. It is therefore crucial that students know the economic principles governing and affecting port authorities, shipping companies and transport firms. The technical-general component comprises the essential principles of port technology (basic knowledge of the typical technical infrastructure and facilities in ports), ship technology (basic knowledge of the scientific and technical principles that govern ships) and actual port problems (insight into contemporary spatial and economic issues that determine the investment and infrastructure policy in ports).
Labour Market
The Master’s degree in Maritime Science opens a wide range of possibilities in the legal world, the maritime sector, the transport sector, the insurance sector, government bodies, international organisations … Because of the strong links with the professional maritime sector and the practically oriented course units, graduates are well-prepared for a successful career and are able to fill an existing need in the maritime sector.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Unique Selling Points
- Multidisciplinarity: the programme stays true to the multidisciplinary approach by comprising the three pillars of the maritime sector (technology, economics and law) and enables students to choose their area of expertise through a wide array of electives.
- Linking theory to practice: the study trips and company visits, the professional experience of the teaching staff and the teaching and assessment methods combine theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare the students for a successful professional career.
- Multiperspectivism: approaching the learning content from different angles enhances the understanding and critical thinking of the students significantly, and enables them to have a clear outlook on the various aspects and the countless interconnections.
- Unique experience: the academic activities are complemented with international study trips, company visits and various extracurricular activities, resulting in an extraordinary learning experience.
- Diversity: students with diverse academic backgrounds and nationalities can enter the programme, enabling different views and promoting interdisciplinary co-operation.
Strengths
- Teaching staff: the programme is taught by motivated experts with international acclaim and experience, in theory as well as in practice.
- A comprehensive curriculum with an international outlook: all course units echo the various aspects and the international nature of maritime transport.
- Stakeholder engagement: the study programme is boosted by the strong link and interaction with the maritime sector.
- Pluralism: the programme promotes tolerance, diversity, social responsibility and cultural sensitivity as maritime scientists will have to work in a global environment where these values are necessary to succeed.
- Maritime science research: the Maritime Institute has an impressive international track record of research output and the network of experts is a great asset to the study programme.
Challenges
- Promoting entrepreneurship and social engagement more effectively.
- Ensuring smoother administrative co-ordination between both partner universities.
- Promoting partnerships with the maritime industry and voluntary work placements in the context of the Master's dissertation more effectively.
This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review, i.e. a screening of the Education Monitor by the Education Quality Board. The resulting Quality Assurance Resolution (in Dutch) can be found here.
This information was last updated on 09/07/2024.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.