Shipping and Port Management

Shipping and port management addresses the operational and commercial heart of global trade. More than eighty per cent of the world's goods by volume move by sea, making the shipping industry one of the most fundamental and often underestimated components of the international economy. Ports are the critical interface between sea and land transport, and their efficient management is essential to the smooth flow of goods that modern supply chains depend on.

At Southampton Solent University, this three-year full-time programme gives you a global perspective on managing business for international trade. You will study ship operations, port management, cargo handling, maritime law, international trade finance, supply chain logistics, and the regulatory environment that governs shipping at national and international levels. Southampton's position as one of the UK's most important ports is more than a geographical coincidence: it places you in proximity to the industry you are studying and creates opportunities for practical engagement with the professional world.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement, giving you extended professional experience in shipping, port management, or related logistics before you graduate.

The typical entry tariff is 88 UCAS points. Graduates from shipping and port management programmes go on to careers in ship operations, port management, freight forwarding, logistics, maritime insurance, customs and compliance, and international trade. The global nature of the industry means that career opportunities are genuinely international, and a qualification in this specialised field is well regarded by employers.

Further study options include postgraduate programmes in logistics and supply chain management, maritime law, and international trade.