Master of Science in Maritime Science
The study programme aims at students of diverse academic backgrounds, who have a common passion for and interest in maritime transport. People who are already working in the maritime sector can also feel the urge to enhance their knowledge and skills.
What
The study programme aims at students of diverse academic backgrounds, who have a common passion for and interest in maritime transport. People who are already working in the maritime sector can also feel the urge to enhance their knowledge and skills. The programme comprises three main pillars (a technical-general pillar, an economic-logistic pillar and a legal pillar) and stays true to the multidisciplinary approach, which makes it unique in the global academic landscape. The study programme is supported by a very strong teaching staff, composed 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. All courses are taught in English, as the maritime sector operates in an international environment. The language that rules the maritime sector is in se English. It is therefore essential that students are able to use the English terminology in a correct and efficient way. All courses have a European and an international dimension, resulting out of the global nature of maritime transport. As a supplement to the normal academic activities and courses, an annual study trip to London and several other visits are being organised during the academic year. The five-day study trip to London and the other field trips and company visits are integrated as a full-fledged component of the curriculum.
For whom
The admission requirements depend on previous degrees (type of degree, country of issue etc ...) or additonal experience.
Structure
The study programme is built on a logical, uncluttered framework, consisting of compulsory courses (39 credits) and optional courses (6 credits). The compulsory courses represent the core of the study programme, while the optional courses offer the student the possibility to choose which (professional) direction he/she wants to go, according to his/her personal interests and ambition, and allow for specialisation in a certain aspect of the maritime world. The three pillars are represented in both categories and these academic courses are supplemented by the writing of a master’s dissertation (15 credits). The master’s dissertation is a written essay about a maritime or transport oriented subject, wherein the student proves that he can analyse a specific topic thoroughly and individually and write his findings down in a structured and coherent manner. You will clarify and defend your master’s dissertation in an oral presentation. The legal content of the study programme aims at developing in-depth knowledge of international law of the sea, maritime law and transport law. The economic-logistic content of the study programme aims at familiarising the student with the unique economic character of maritime transport, which is a global phenomenon with very specific dynamics. Therefore it is crucial that the students know about the economic principles that govern and affect port authorities, shipping companies and transport firms. The technical-general content of the study programme 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 (insights into contemporary spatial and economic issues that determine the investment and infrastructure policy in ports).
Labour Market
The degree of master 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 link with the professional maritime sector and the practically oriented courses, graduate students are well prepared for a successful career and are able to fill an existing need in the maritime sector.
Kwaliteitszorg
People who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow, that is what we aim for. That is why education at our university is firmly anchored in six major objectives.
- Think broadly. Thinking as broadly as possible and offering the opportunity to question oneself. Not only Dare to Think, but also dare to change the way of thinking.
- Keep researching. Research is the foundation of our education. Ghent University keeps linking its way of educating to the dynamics of science.
- Support Talent. Everyone starts with equal opportunities. Every students gets the opportunity to develop their talents, regardless of gender, cultural or social background.
- Build with us. Students, staff, the government and the corporate world all get the chance to contribute to the contents and form of our high quality education. Ghent University is known for its particularly active students in student participation, of which we are very proud.
- Push boundaries. We want to prepare our students internationally and interculturally. We give them the opportunity to gain experience across borders. We also open our doors for students from all over the world and welcome teachers and academic staff from abroad.
- Choose quality. Constant quality assurance and improvement is an integral part of our culture and we communicate about it openly. We are proud of the level of our university.
Ghent University sees the quality of education as an internal self-evaluation process, in which faculties and programs compare the goals they have set themselves to the achieved results and adjust the policy accordingly. The portfolios constitute an important link in this process. The achieved results are based on quantitative and qualitative information from relevant stakeholders (students, teachers, professional field, international experts, alumni, etc.).The ‘peer learning visits’, the yearly quality meeting and the Education Quality Office (‘OKB’) make sure the PDCA cycle is closed at various policy levels and help to keep the improvement policy sharp.
A detailed description of how Ghent University is constantly paying attention to quality assurance and quality culture can be found in the Ghent University Conduct of Educational Quality Assurance (ERGO).
Quality of this study programme
This quality assurance system provides information on the assets, the strengths and the points for improvement for every study programme. A summary for this study programme can be found below:
Outstanding aspects
- 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 elective courses.
- Linking theory to practice: the study trips and company visits, the professional experience of the teaching staff and the teaching and evaluation methods combine theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare the students for a successful professional career.
- Multiperspectivism: approaching the subject material from different angles significantly enhances the understanding and critical thinking of the students and enables them to have a good view 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 enrol in the programme, enabling different views and promoting interdisciplinary cooperation.
Strengths
- Teaching staff: the programme is taught by motivated experts with international acknowledgement and experience, in theory as well as in practice.
- A comprehensive curriculum with an international outlook: all courses 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.
To work on
- To consider a closer cooperation with the maritime sector in the development and evaluation of master dissertations, inter alia by linking it to possible internships.
- To involve alumni and the maritime sector in the internal quality assurance structures.
- To invest in the development of an international network.