Master of Science in Maritime Science
Ghent, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 11,951 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus, Blended
* Non-EU/EEA Students: Around April 1st. EU/EEA Students: Around July 1st.
** for non EEA-students | € 7079.40 for EEA-students
Key Summary
What is the Master of Science in Maritime Science?
The Master of Science in Maritime Science is an inter‑university postgraduate programme jointly offered by Ghent University (UGent) and the Free University of Brussels (VUB). It is designed for students and professionals with a passion for the global maritime sector, including shipping, maritime transport, port operations, logistics, and maritime law.
This truly multidisciplinary programme welcomes applicants from diverse academic backgrounds who already hold a Master’s degree or a 4‑year Bachelor’s degree. Professionals working in the maritime industry can also benefit, with the option to spread courses over two or three years for added flexibility while advancing their careers.
The curriculum is built around three integrated pillars:
- Technical–General (ship technology, port infrastructure, safety, engineering)
- Economic–Logistic (maritime economics, supply chain management, port management, international trade)
- Legal (maritime law, law of the sea, transport law, regulations)
Through a combination of compulsory and elective courses, students can further specialise in their chosen area. The programme is enriched by extensive study trips and field visits to major Benelux ports and a multi‑day study trip to London, offering valuable exposure to real‑world maritime operations and global industry practices.
Why choose our MSc in Maritime Science
Choose a master’s programme that combines multidisciplinary training, strong industry links, and real international experience. Benefit from expert lecturers, study trips to major European ports, small-group learning, and the advantages of a top European university - ideal preparation for a global maritime career.
Course structure
The program is built on a methodical framework, consisting of two-course types: compulsory courses (39 CP) and optional courses (6 CP). The compulsory courses represent the core of the program, while the optional courses offer students a way of exploring possible future (career) paths and allow for specialization in a certain aspect of the maritime world. The three pillars are represented in both course types. The courses are supplemented by the submission of a master’s dissertation on a maritime or transport oriented topic (15 CP). In this written thesis, students prove their ability to analyze a specific topic thoroughly and independently. At an oral presentation, students have the opportunity to clarify their research and defend their findings.
The technical-general content of the program covers the typical technical infrastructure and facilities in ports, the scientific and technical principles that govern ships and contemporary problems ports may encounter.
The economic-logistic content of the study program intends to familiarize students with the unique economic character of maritime transport, which is a global phenomenon with very specific dynamics. Therefore it is crucial that students learn about the economic principles that govern and affect port authorities, shipping companies, and transport firms.
The legal content of the program aims at gaining an in-depth knowledge of the legal aspects of maritime transport.
Program Structure and courses
The programme combines compulsory courses that form the core of maritime training with elective courses that let students specialise in areas such as shipping, maritime transport, port management, or maritime law. All three pillars - technical, economic‑logistic and legal - are integrated into the curriculum. Students also complete a Master’s thesis on a maritime or transport topic, demonstrating independent research skills and defending their findings during an oral presentation.The three pillars focus on key aspects of the maritime world:
Guided by leading experts, students explore every key facet of the maritime sector - from ship technology and operational performance to port management, maritime economics, and the international legal rules that govern global shipping and maritime traffic.
Field Trips and Practical Exposure
A distinctive feature of the program is its strong interaction with the maritime sector. In addition to the theoretic background, a wide array of Port and Company visits greatly increase links to the professional world, with the multi-day visits to London and Rotterdam serving as some of the highlights of the program. During these visits students get introduced not only to the port organizations themselves, but also to some of the most important companies present therein. These visits provide direct insight into port organisations, leading shipping and logistics companies, and real‑world port operations.
Scholarships
The programme is able to offer a limited number of partial tuition fee waivers for excellent applicants showing financial need. You can apply for a partial tuition fee waiver by adding an additional motivation letter (and relevant documents, where necessary) to your application file, demonstrating your financial need. The deadline to apply for the partial tuition fee waiver is 1 April, and a decision on the received applications will be communicated before 1 May.
Career perspectives
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. The degree of master in Maritime Science opens a wide range of possibilities in the maritime world: the job opportunities are very broad and alumni work globally in various sectors. A large majority of alumni indicate a high level of satisfaction with the program and acknowledge that the degree was very helpful in finding or securing a job, as well as in their further professional development.