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World Maritime University (WMU) - Maritime Education, Training and Research Programs

Maritime, Logistics, Port & Energy Education, Research & Training at WMU, Malmo, Sweden

world maritime university wmu

Established in 1983, World Maritime University (WMU) was founded by International Maritime Organizations (IMO) with the aim of providing advanced training for men and women involved in maritime administration, education and management, particularly those from developing countries. The institution - along with the IMO International Maritime Law Institute IMLI (Msida, Malta), and the International Maritime Safety, Security and Environment Academy (Genoa, Italy), supports the Organization's technical co-operation program, the mission statement of which is to help developing countries improve their ability to comply with international rules and standards relating to maritime safety and the prevention and control of maritime pollution, giving priority to technical assistance programs that focus on human resources development and institutional capacity-building.

The University operates on the basis of a Charter adopted by the IMO Assembly, and is accountable to the IMO Secretary-General, Council and Assembly, and to an international Board of Governors composed of representatives of some 50 different governmental, industry, labor and educational bodies.

Since its foundation in 1983, WMU has established an excellent reputation as a global centre for advanced education and research in the maritime field. WMU offers high-quality professional education that provides students with a unique insight into the maritime sector. The university offers only postgraduate degrees - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), MPhil, LLM, Master of Science (MSc), and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD).

wmu campus

Academic Programs

Masters Degree Programs

  • MSc in Maritime Affairs (14 months, Malmö): The standard M.Sc. is a 14-month program lasting from September until November of the following year. The intensive curriculum provides 95 ECTS credits with approximately 3 weeks of field study that takes students to destinations across Europe, Asia, and South America to gain valuable insights into professional practices. Students who already hold a postgraduate qualification can apply for exemption from the foundation semester and join the accelerated program. Specializations include:

    • Maritime Education & Training
    • Maritime Energy Management
    • Maritime Law & Policy
    • Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration
    • Ocean Sustainability, Governance & Management
    • Port Management
    • Shipping Management & Logistics

  • MSc in Maritime Affairs with Specialization in International Transport and Logistics (Shipping & Finance) (Shanghai, China): The Master of Science program in International Transport and Logistics is delivered in Shanghai, China, by WMU in collaboration with Shanghai Maritime University (SMU). The program is intensive, and lasts for 14 months. The programme is made up of 80 degree credits divided into three terms. The first unit consists of foundation studies, which provide the prerequisites for the later units, which cover all aspects of logistics and international transport. Specialization Studies are taught in the second term. Each subject carries 8 EC, aside from the Dissertation, which carries 20 EC.
  • MSc in Maritime Safety and Environmental Management with Specialization in Maritime Safety and Environmental Management (Dalian, China): The Master of Science program in Maritime Safety and Environmental Management is delivered in Dalian, China, by WMU in collaboration with Dalian Maritime University (DMU). The program is intensive, and lasts for 14 months. It consists of 4 taught units plus a research project, made up of 44 credits. The first unit, foundation studies, is followed by specialization units, which cover all aspects of maritime safety and environmental management. Staff from DMU teach the first unit, and supervise project work, while WMU staff teach the other credits.

Online/Distance Programs

  • LLM in International Maritime Law (10 months): This LLM provides an advanced understanding of a specialist area of maritime law and enables practitioners in both the legal field and maritime industry to enhance their career prospects. It improves students’ research and independent study skills as well as the ability to develop substantiated critical argument. It is open to students who have completed successfully the Postgraduate Diploma in International Maritime Law and who hold an LLB (or equivalent) degree.
  • PG Diploma in Executive Maritime Management  (11 months): This Postgraduate Diploma has been designed to provide a boot camp for managers. Drawing on the strengths and expertise of WMU and DNV GL, it addresses current topics of critical importance in the maritime industry with a blended learning approach to operational, commercial and technical issues. The programme offers you a flexible way to meet your needs. It is set-up in distance learning delivery via the latest e-learning systems and can be completed from any location globally.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in International Maritime Law (16 months): The program has been designed to develop knowledge of International Trade and maritime law. Students will increase their understanding of how commercial trade ventures may give rise to legal issues. The program consists of an introductory module, eight core modules and a choice of four specialist modules. It is assessed by five written assignments and a final examination consisting of two papers.
  • PG Diploma in Marine Insurance Law & Practice (11 months): The program consists of five core modules, each assessed by written coursework. The modules deal with all aspects of marine insurance and the interconnected aspects of the relevant sector, providing extensive and integrated knowledge and understanding. Throughout the program, a network of renowned marine insurance professionals provides exceptional content and expert input. This course can be completed over a single year, or spread over three years, to allow students maximum flexibility to fit their studies around their demanding careers.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy (11 months): The programme equips maritime professionals with technical and socio- economic-environmental knowledge relating to IMO’s regulations on air pollution and potential mitigation measures to achieve a low carbon and energy-efficient maritime future. It is designed for people with a technical profile (e.g. naval architects, deck officers and engineers, surveyors etc.) as well as professionals with backgrounds, such as ship operators, superintendents, port and shipyard managers and other maritime professionals.

MPhil Program

  • MPhil in International Maritime Law and Ocean Policy (2 years): The innovative MPhil program has been designed in partnership by IMO’s two sister institutions, WMU and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta, to play a part in ensuring the future sustainability of the world’s oceans in accordance with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The two-year program is designed to train expert maritime lawyers, immersed in the UN system structure and goals, who can advocate for the policies and legislation to transform the world’s oceans and support their sustainable development.

PhD Program

  • PhD in Maritime Affairs (3 to 6 years, 240 ECTS): The PhD program has seven active areas of research and a growing school of doctoral students. WMU has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research at the doctoral level, and has won a large number of externally funded projects, often working in collaboration with partners from industry and government. The structure of the PhD program makes it flexible and responsive to the needs of both full-time students based in Malmö and candidates based mainly at their employing organization.

Professional Development Programs

  • Maritime Welfare (MARI-WEL) Program (Online): The Maritime Welfare (MARI-WEL) Professional Development Program was created in partnership by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and the World Maritime University. MARI-WEL is the first program of its kind to deliver a comprehensive overview of the topics and issues that relate to seafarer welfare. Covering three separate modules, the program provides participants with flexibility to follow the course at their own speed, and offline if need be.

Education For Professional Excellence (EPEX)

  • Essentials of Maritime Administration (1 week): Designed for delivery to maritime administration executives who may have little or no prior maritime background, this module offers an intensive introduction to issues of critical importance in the maritime industry and aims to impart knowledge on the most essential aspects of maritime administration.
  • Maritime Administrations and International Organizations (1 week): Designed for delivery to maritime administration executives who already have a prior maritime background, or individuals who have completed the above EPEX course, this multi-dimensional module is designed to provide participants from maritime administrations or analogous organizations a set of essential knowledge and skills that will facilitate productive participation in meetings, and optimize participation in deliberations, at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and other intergovernmental organizations in order to more effectively impact global maritime safety, environmental protection, security, and efficiency.

English Program

  • English and Study Skills Program (ESSP) (4 moths): WMU offers a specialist Maritime English and Study Skills Programme (ESSP). The ESSP is designed to enhance English language competencies and provide the skills necessary to follow a postgraduate programme successfully, whether this programme is at WMU or elsewhere. Around one fifth of the ESSP students are external students, who come to Malmö for this unique programme that prepares them for both study and professional life in the maritime and ocean fields.

Summer Academy Programs

  • Current Issues in Ports and Terminals Post Covid-19: This course addresses the latest port development and investigate a number of relevant topics in depth. Discussions on how to turn challenges into opportunities, strengthening port competitiveness and contributing to hinterland economy.
  • International Maritime Law: The course introduces the participant to the realm of maritime claims in a wider context, which includes areas such as ship registration, marine insurance, decarbonization, salvage, and compulsory liability.
  • Maritime Decarbonization: This course focuses on Maritime Decarbonization and offers a forum for education and discussion on reducing GHG emissions from shipping. The philosophy behind this course is that the inevitable maritime energy transition is an opportunity for the industry.
  • Mental Health and Well-Being: This course aims to increase awareness of positive mental health and its impact on individuals’ well-being and the performance of organizations with a focus on the maritime industry.