Maritime Business with Foundation Year

Maritime business sits at the intersection of global commerce and the sea, concerned with the business models, operations and management challenges of the industries that move goods, people and resources across the world's oceans. Shipping handles the vast majority of international trade, and the sector encompasses vessel management, port operations, logistics, insurance, chartering, maritime law, marine finance and the growing offshore energy industry. Understanding how this world operates requires both commercial acumen and specialist knowledge of the maritime environment.

At the University of Plymouth this programme includes a foundation year, which builds your business, analytical and quantitative foundations before the main degree begins. Across the full four years full time, you will develop skills in financial analysis, operations management, logistics, maritime law and the economics of international trade alongside knowledge specific to the maritime sector. The programme includes a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad and work placement opportunities, giving you an unusually broad combination of professional experience and international exposure within a globally oriented industry.

Graduates from maritime business degrees move into roles across shipping companies, port authorities, logistics and freight forwarding businesses, marine insurance and banking, maritime law firms and international trade bodies. Roles include ship broker, chartering manager, port operations manager, logistics coordinator, marine underwriter and maritime lawyer. The global nature of the industry means that language skills and international experience, including the year abroad, are particularly valued by employers.

Postgraduate study in international shipping, maritime law, logistics or supply chain management is a natural further route for those seeking specialist expertise or more senior professional positions.