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Book on an undergraduate open day

    KEY FACTS

    • Title
      BSc (Hons) Marine Studies (Merchant Shipping)
    • Course type
      Full-time
    • Duration
      3 years (no placement)
    • Award
      Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
    • Faculty
      Faculty of Science and Technology
    • School
      School of Marine Science and Engineering
    • UCAS codes
      Institution P60
      Course JN68
    • Location
      Plymouth
Skip Navigation LinksPlymouth University > courses > undergraduate > BSc (Hons) Marine Studies (Merchant Shipping)
​The shipping industry now prefers a route of entry via a foundation degree and you are therefore strongly recommended to apply for the FdSc Marine Studies.

FdSc Marine Studies is now the sponsored route and you can progress straight to the BSc (Hons) Marine Studies programme after gaining a Certificate of Competency.

Please contact us for details of how to obtain industry sponsorship.

Further information about FdSc Marine Studies
​on board a container ship

Caught in a storm

Find out what happened when some new recruits from Plymouth University battled against a raging storm in the North Atlantic.
​This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a career as a Merchant Navy deck officer or work in the management of shore-based marine industries. The merchant shipping course focusses on the interaction of the marine environment, the human element and modern technology. The course is integrated with a vocational training programme, which leads to a full professional qualification.

Merchant shipping students will normally be sponsored by a shipping company who will often pay their tuition fees and living expenses, as well as provide the opportunity for a seagoing experience between year two and the final year. 

A BSc (Hons) Marine Studies degree enables you to go forward with confidence to the wide choice of career that comes from gaining a modern degree in one of the UK's top universities. This will be part of a process that broadens your horizons and raises your expectations.

Merchant ship loaded with boxes

  

'Plymouth University was an obvious choice for me as I wanted not only an international maritime career with merchant vessel operations but also to gain academic qualifications transferable into other career paths!

 

I was surprised of the amount of watersport activities the University could offer, and the following year I did a Club & Sport Diving courses arranged by the University - which was great fun. I also enjoyed fishing in Plymouth Sound and often came back with a bucket of sea bass!'

 

Hannu Vesterinen

 

What our students say

Photo of Helen Skjaerlund"I came to the University for an open day. My father and I had to fly all the way from Jakarta, Indonesia, where I lived at the time; but the long trip was well worth it! I knew I wanted a career in the Merchant Navy but I did not have a lot of information about it and the different careers I could have if I didn’t want to stay at sea. During the open day the tutors managed to talk to every prospective student. They were friendly, gave a realistic approach to the course and showed the different possibilities for careers after graduation. Because of this open day, I chose to study at Plymouth."

Helen Skjaerlund
Deputy Safety and Security Manager, CMA CGM

​Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Merchant Navy Training Board.
 
Maritime and Coastguard Agency logoMerchant Navy Training Board logo

 

​Course highlights 

On a modern degree course you can expect to find many different approaches to teaching - it's not just a case of sitting there and taking notes!
 
Most modules include lectures, but you will also develop your learning through the following activities: 
  • Tutorials, seminars and groupwork
  • Problem-based learning and case studies
  • Debate and critiques
  • Oral and visual presentations 
  • Project work and report writing
  • Fieldwork and practicals
  • Professional development planning 

What our students say

Photo of Adan Lopez-Santander"Ever since I was little I have had a close contact with the sea and shipping matters. Plymouth University was offering an honours degree that combined this with merchant navy training so, for me, the choice was clear. Besides, before making up my mind I visited Plymouth and it seemed like an excellent place to spend part of my life. My time on the course certainly confirmed that I had made the right decision."

Adan Lopez-Santander
Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer/1st Officer, Bibby Line

What our students say

Photo of Simon Covington
"Plymouth was my first choice as there is a good maritime history in the city and the University. Few universities offer this type of degree, which is linked to a professional qualification in the Merchant Navy."

Simon Covington
Project Coordinator, Osprey Shipping
​

What our students say

Photo of Stephen Tindale
"One of the course requirements was to do 12 months at sea as a cadet to gain the required sea time. I did this over three trips on board a bulk carrier. The time at sea not only served as a requirement for the OOW ticket, but also enabled me to gain extra insight into the modules being studied and underpinned the knowledge required for upcoming modules."
 
Stephen Tindale
Second Officer

What our students say

Photo of Tim Corthorn
"I chose Plymouth having learnt about what a career at sea would be like, along with the added benefit that I could learn about the weather at the same time – I had previously considered being a meteorologist. In order to gain sponsorship for the course, I applied to several shipping companies and was successful in being accepted on the degree sponsored cadetship with P&O Cruises, who I have now worked for ever since."

Tim Corthorn
Merchant Navy Deck Officer, P&O Cruises