Master of Science in Maritime Studies

Master (Coursework)

Programme Type

Full-time

Master of Science Programmes by Coursework (CEE)

[email protected]

Get the knowledge and tools to elevate yourself from local business management to global settings within the maritime profession. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the shipping industry have identified that the shipping practice and business in Singapore should be elevated in order to enter into the regional and global arenas.

This is a strategic development that would uplift the local business practice and knowledge to a higher echelon in the international shipping scene, associated with business management, international shipping finance, chartering, and other related issues.

This MSc programme is developed to fill the gap and provide post-graduate level and high-value education for professionals in maritime and related business; elevating them from local business management to one of the international and global business settings.

The foremost intention is to provide young graduates and middle-management executives working in maritime related areas an avenue for higher education. The programme will also be suitable for graduates who wish to be involved in the maritime profession. The education would provide them with necessary knowledge and tools to form the next generation of shipping executives.

This programme has been presented the Excellence in Training Development award at the Singapore International Maritime Awards (IMA) 2009. NTU is honored in recognition for its outstanding contribution to Singapore’s maritime education landscape.

Professional Recognition

Graduates with the MSc in Maritime Studies are granted exemption from the following subjects of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS): 

  • Introduction to Shipping
  • Economics of Sea Transport & International Trade
  • Marine Insurance (Only if Marine Insurance Elective is taken)

Visit the ICS’s website here for more information.

  • Have a good Bachelor degree in Shipping, Business or other related disciplines or
  • Hold a Certificate of Competency 1 (CoC 1)
  • TOEFL/IELTS is required for applicants whose Bachelor programme is not conducted in English. Test date must be within 2 years or less from the date of application. The minimum score required is as follows:
    • TOEFL (Paper-based): 600
    • TOEFL (Computer-based): 250
    • TEOFL (Internet-based): 85
    • IELTS (Academic): 6.0
  • GRE/GMAT score is not required for admission.

Intake Period

  • There are two intakes yearly  - the August and January intake.

    • August Intake: Application portal opens from November to January;
    • January Intake: Application portal opens from July to August.
  • Candidates may apply via the "Apply Now" button at the top right of this page when the application period starts.

Application Fee

  • Effective Academic Year 2024 intake onwards, the application has been adjusted to S$50, inclusive of GST.

Programme Structure

  • The programme is available in both full-time study and part-time study.
  • Students must complete 30 AUs (10 Courses), of which 18 AUs (12AUs compulsory + 6 AUs electives) must be from the Maritime Studies curriculum.
  • Eligible students may choose to select Coursework + Dissertation study track from their 2nd semester onwards (eligibility terms apply)
  • Note that a dissertation project is in lieu of 2 courses.

Lesson & Examination Schedule

  • There are two semesters each year. You may refer to the academic calendar here for more information.
  • Classes are conducted on weekday evenings between 6.30 PM – 9.30 PM, unless otherwise informed by your lecturer or indicated in the timetable system. This applies for both full-time and part-time students.
  • Note that examinations are generally scheduled on weekday mornings or afternoons, unless otherwise indicated in the timetable system.

Candidature Period

 Courses allowed per semester Normal / Minimum Candidature Period Maximum Candidature Period
Full-time Study Up to 5 courses
(15 AUs)
1 year (2 semesters) 3 years (6 semesters)
Part-time Study Up to 3 courses
(9 AUs)
2 years (4 semesters) 4 years (8 semesters)

Core Courses (Compulsory) 

Course Code Course Title AUs Pre-requisite
MT6101 Project Management 3  
MT6102 Maritime Economics 3  
MT6201 Shipping Management I 3  
MT6202 Shipping Management II 3 MT6201

Electives 

Course Code Course Title AUs Pre-requisite
MT6103 Strategic Planning 3  
MT6104 Cross Cultural Management 3  
MT6105 International Business Financing & Insurance 3  
MT6204 Ship Operations, Brokering and Chartering 3  
MT6301 Maritime Logistics 3  
MT6302 Port Management 3  
MT6401 Environmental Shipping 3  

Please note that course offerings are subject to review and changes each academic year.

Course Content

MT6101 Project Management (3 AUs)

This course addresses the considerable changes seen in recent years in areas where project work is used. The planning and organization of projects as well as their management are discussed.

MT6102 Maritime Economics (3 AUs)

This course provides students with a detailed understanding of maritime economic fundamentals. The topics include main concepts and tools in micro- and macro-economics and their application to maritime transport, shipping markets, shipping demand and supply, shipping costs and freight rate mechanism, economics for shipping strategy, future shipping market, tramp shipping, liner shipping, ship financing, economics of maritime regulations, and the relationship between maritime transport and national economy.​

MT6201 Shipping Management 1 (3 AUs)

This course introduces students to the role of maritime transport in international trade and to the specific tasks that face the executives of shipping companies and other organizations in the maritime industry.

MT6202 Shipping Management 2  (3 AUs)

Pre-requisite: MT6201 Shipping Management 1 

This course provides student an understanding of commercial practices and the legislative and contractual framework of international shipping. 

Electives (Not all Electives will be offered each semester)

MT6103 Strategic Planning (3 AUs)

The essence of corporate strategy is the creation of sustainable competitive advantage, i.e. creating products and services that the customers perceive as valuable and unique. In this course, students will get acquainted with several models that are useful in the development of sustainable competitive advantage.

MT6104 Cross Cultural Management (3 AUs)

This module increases participants' cultural awareness and skills for a global business like shipping. It covers strategizing, management (including human resources), communications and negotiations, with focus on the cultural dimension, which involves such factors as core beliefs and values which characterize both national and business cultures.​

MT6105 International Business Financing & Insurance (3 AUs)

This course aims to examine the challenges to the manager’s role associated with adaptive leadership and thoroughly prepares students for the complicated yet fascinating discipline of international and global management.

MT6204 Ship Operations, Brokering and Chartering (3 AUs)

Ship Operations: Stowage plans, bunkering, crewing, maintenance, scheduling and fuel. Harbor infrastructure. Marine environment protection. Shipping safety. Legal aspects of chartering and purchase of ships. Roles of the broker and liner agent. Legislation and practice. Chartering: Operation of freight markets. Multiple charter parties. Special charter forms - Vegoil, Chemicals, Supply Ships, Towage.

MT6301 Maritime Logistics (3 AUs)

This course examines the strategic role of shipping in global supply chains. Case studies are used to improve the students strategic logistics skills.

MT6302 Port Management (3 AUs)

This module aims to develop a thorough grasp of different aspects of port activities by providing detailed understanding of the principles and practices of port management within the framework of overall transportation systems.

MT6401 Environmental Shipping (3 AUs)

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the various causes of pollution to the marine and atmospheric environments due to shipping related activities. Environmental issues such as ship waste, oil pollution, anti-fouling paints, ship breaking activities, ship litter (including plastics), ballast water management and ship emissions are addressed.

Tuition Fees

 Full-time Part-time
Tuition fee for AY2024-2025
(based on minimum candidature)
S$45,107.20
Tuition fee per semester S$22,553.60 S$11,276.80
 Full-time Part-time
Tuition fee for AY2025-2026
(based on minimum candidature)
S$55,030.78
Tuition fee per semester S$27,515.39S$13,757.70

Important things to note:

  • The above fees are based on the shortest candidature period. Additional fees will apply for each semester extended beyond the minimum/normal candidature

(i.e. if you are enrolling as a full-time student and intend to complete your programme in 2 years instead of the normal period of 1 year, you will be billed S$27,515.39 per semester from your 1st to 4th term).

  • Tuition fee is payable each semester regardless of the number of courses registered that term. This is applicable even if the student did not register any course that semester, unless the student has been approved for Leave of Absence (LOA) before the 2nd teaching week of that term.
  • Students who apply LOA or withdraw their candidature after the second teaching week of the semester will be liable for that semester’s fees.
  • Fees listed are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Services Tax (GST).

  • The University reserves the right to revise its fees every year without notice. For more information on other applicable fees, click here.

Financial Aid

  • All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents:
    From the academic year starting in 2024, Singaporeans and permanent residents who enrol in self-funded master’s by coursework programmes at NTU will enjoy a $5,000 subsidy, with those in need of financial aid will receive up to $10,000.

     

  • All NTU Alumni:
    All NTU alumni will receive an additional 10 per cent tuition fee rebate. These initiatives, are meant to promote lifelong learning and make postgraduate education more accessible for all.

     

  • Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents enrolled in the MSc (Maritime Studies) programme may be eligible for the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF), a co-funding by the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Visit MPA’s website here for more information on MCF (under “Certifiable Courses”).