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University of Southampton (SOTON) - Maritime & Supply Chain Programs

Maritime Science, Technology, Engineering, Archaeology and Law Education & Research Programs & Supply Chain Management Education and Research at Southampton

university of southampton

Founded in 1862 and granted Royal Charter in 1952, the University of Southampton is one of the top 15 research universities in the UK, ranked 95th in the world, and has achieved consistently high scores for its teaching and learning activities.

There are over 22,000 students, including 1,400 students from the European Union and 3,400 international students from over 130 different countries outside the EU studying at the university. The university is in Southampton on England’s south coast, around one hour from central London and Heathrow Airport, within easy reach of open countryside.

Southampton graduates are prized by companies involved in high performance engineering. As one of the few universities in the world with an extensive wind tunnel complex, The School of Engineering Sciences is able to give students a unique learning experience using industry-leading experimental facilities.

The University of Southampton Law School has for many years specialized in the field of Maritime Law with its internationally renowned Institute of Maritime Law, and is the research base of many of the leading maritime lawyers in the world. Southampton is a medieval city with a longstanding maritime heritage. It also has close train access to London’s Baltic Exchange, and the UK Supreme Court.

The Center for Maritime Archaeology (CMA) provides a focus for maritime archaeological research at the University of Southampton. Committed to the promotion and practice of maritime archaeology, CMA has provided world class expertise in research and education since 1995. Over this period CMA has established strong links with other UK universities, overseas academic institutions and the commercial sector.

soton campus

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs (Ship Science/Engineering)

  • BEng Ship Science (3 Years): This program is ideal if you wish or need to complete your studies in three years. In the third and final year, you can follow a range of subject options, and maritime design course work forms an integral part of the program. You will also carry out two projects – an individual-based project chosen from a wide selection available within the school and a small group concept design project. The latter provides valuable experience of conducting a design synthesis and working in a team.
  • MEng Ship Science (4 Years): This is a specialised integrated master's course, which covers a number of advanced naval architecture topics. Here you'll get a broad mechanical engineering degree with a focus on maritime engineering. You'll study topics like design, mechanics and hydrodynamics as you prepare for a range of science careers. You’ll learn the core principles of naval architecture and marine vehicles. Later you can choose to specialize your program through one of 6 pathways:

    • Advanced Computational Engineering
    • Marine Engineering and Autonomy
    • Naval Architecture
    • International Naval Architecture
    • Ocean Energy and Offshore Engineering
    • Yacht and High Performance Craft

  • Engineering Foundation Year: Talented applicants who do not have suitable qualifications in Mathematics and/or Physics for direct entry onto the three-year BEng or four-year MEng programs may wish to apply for a preliminary Engineering Foundation Year. The same Foundation Year course is taken by students from all Engineering Schools at Southampton.

Undergraduate Programs (Law)

  • LLB in Maritime Law (3 Years): The LLB (Maritime Law), a new and unique program providing an excellent foundation for a career in international maritime law, commerce and related industries, is a fully qualifying law degree. It is recognized by the Law Society and the Bar Council of England and Wales, and carries full exemption from the academic stage of legal education for the purposes of professional qualification.
  • International Foundation Programme for Law: This program is for those who do not qualify for admission to LLB.

Masters Programs (Marine Engineering & Technology)

  • MSc in Maritime Engineering Science - Naval Architecture (1 year): Develop in-depth knowledge of maritime engineering science on this program. You’ll learn about the design and analysis of marine craft and structures in the marine environment, and gain specialist understanding of the key areas of naval architecture.
  • MSc in Maritime Engineering Science - Ocean Energy & Offshore Engineering (1 year): Study ocean energy and offshore engineering on this MSc course at the University of Southampton. This master’s degree will give you expert knowledge about the science behind natural energy resources. You’ll be well prepared for a range of offshore engineering specializations, and will graduate with the skills to move into a career in the maritime sector.
  • MSc in Maritime Engineering Science - Advanced Computational Engineering (1 year): Study the latest maritime techniques, methods and software on this course. Learn the theory and practice behind maritime computational engineering science as you take on practical design tasks and prepare how to work effectively with industry.
  • MSc in Maritime Engineering Science - Yacht and High-performance Craft (1 year): On this Yacht and degree you’ll specialize in the analysis, design and performance of yachts, small craft and high-performance vessels. You’ll also gain an understanding of the fixed and offshore structures that help them to function. You'll graduate with the specialist skills in maritime engineering science to design and analyze marine craft and structures.
  • MSc in Maritime Engineering Science - Marine Engineering and Autonomy (1 year): On this degree you'll learn about component and systems engineering for ships. You’ll also gain an understanding of the fixed and offshore structures that help them to function. Learn the skills you need to become a specialist in the marine sector. You'll graduate with the design and analysis skills for a maritime sector career, or for continued study at PhD level.  

Masters Programs (Maritime, Part Time)

  • MSc in Marine Technology (2 to 5 years, Part time): You'll graduate with in-depth knowledge and skills in advanced technologies, management, business and IT. You'll be able to maintain and enhance the industry's knowledge base, and improve competitiveness. This part-time-only master's course in marine technology is run by a consortium of 3 UK universities - University of Southampton, Newcastle University, and University College London. This course is accredited by IMarEST and RINA. Path ways include -

    • General
    • Marine Engineering
    • Naval Architecture

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

    • A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) - you'll usually study for around 15 weeks and will not need to write a dissertation
    • A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - you'll usually study for around 30 weeks and will not need to write a dissertation

Masters Programs (Law)

  • LLM in Maritime Law: Students undertaking an LLM at University of Southampton, School of Law will enjoy teaching and research facilities that are amongst the very best in the UK. Students are free to select any 4 subjects from the following and will also write a dissertation on a subject of their choice: Admiralty Law; Carriage by Air; Carriage of Goods by Sea; Commercial Conflict of Laws and International Litigation; Comparative Intellectual Property Law ; Corporate Governance; International Commercial ; Arbitration; International Law of the Sea; International Tax Law; International Trade Law; Internet Law; Law of the Marine Environment; Marine Insurance; and World Trade Organization Law & Regional Economic Integration.

Masters Programs (Archaeology)

  • MA / MSc in Maritime Archaeology (1 year): In this degree, you’ll explore the changing relationship people have had with the world’s oceans and seas. You’ll study the technologies of seafaring, histories of environmental change, and submerged landscapes. This subject incorporates elements of traditional archaeology, ethnography, maritime history and marine science. MA Maritime Archaeology (humanities-based approach) offers the same course content as our MSc Maritime Archaeology (science-based approach).

Masters Programs (Logistics)

  • MSc in Supply Chain Management and Logistics (1 year): You’ll develop advanced management and analytical skills, and have the chance to work on a real business project during a 3-month industry placement. You’ll be taught by academics from one of the country’s leading analytics research groups, and graduate with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in logistics. This course is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI) Research Programs

  • Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholars (LTDS): The SMMI Leverhulme Trust "Understanding Maritime Futures" Doctoral Scholarships will address key global issues such as access to resources, safety and Security, the effects of rising sea levels, technical advancements and autonomy, our responses to natural and human disasters, the impacts on people, and the ways people living by and from the sea understand their experiences and cultural heritage.  All SMMI Leverhulme Trust Doctoral scholars are in receipt of a fully funded studentship, for 3 years at Research Councils UK levels, which will cover maintenance and tuition fees.
  • SMMI Scholars - SMMI funded interdisciplinary PhD Projects: SMMI is committed to training the next generation of marine and maritime professionals to satisfy the maritime sector's requirement as it becomes more and more technologically advanced.  Interdisciplinary research projects continue to be established with SMMI annually funding a number of cross-disciplinary studentships. 
  • PhD in Business Studies and Management: PhD applications will be considered in supply chain management. Full-time - Maximum 4 years (minimum 2 years) & Part-time - Maximum 7 years (minimum 3 years)

Southampton Features

Southampton’s record for success in spinning out its research excellence into business ventures has made it one of the leading entrepreneurial universities in the UK. In fact the success in commercializing academic research has been favorably compared with top US university Stanford in a recent Library House study. Southampton also boasts a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) portfolio worth over £1.7 million. The University has an extremely high success rate in gaining KTP funding: on average, 60 per cent of KTP proposals are funded on first application but Southampton continues to enjoy a success rate which is substantially higher.

  • Campus: The university campus is located in Southampton, around one hour from central London and Heathrow Airport. Major European cities are just a short flight from Southampton Airport. The city offers a vibrant mix of recreation, culture and entertainment, from cinemas, theatres, concert halls and art galleries, to a wide variety of sporting facilities and one of the south coast’s top ten shopping centers.
  • Accreditation: University of Southampton is a public university and UK Border Agency (UKBA) highly trusted student sponsor. Many of the ship science and engineering programs are accredited by Royal institute of Naval Architects (RINA) and qualifies for Chartered Engineer.
  • Research: The research has spawned twelve successful spin-out companies since 2000, three of which have been floated on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) with a combined market capitalization value of £160 million.
  • International Collaboration: As part of the drive to attract the most promising students, promote groundbreaking research and forge new links with business and industry, the university has developed close relationships with talented people and likeminded organizations across the world like Worldwide Universities Network; Centre for Contemporary China; and Mexsu: Centre for Mexico - Southampton Collaboration.
  • Career Fairs: Throughout each academic year, Career Destinations arranges a range of Career Fairs open to all students. These events are free of charge for students and alumni to attend. They offer a unique opportunity for students and employers to meet face to face.
  • Placement Programs: Career Destinations currently have two placement programs available which provide paid work experience opportunities for undergraduate and masters students. The schemes enable the student to obtain work experience within the University or with one of several external organizations who have applied to partake in the scheme. Placements will run for 4-12 weeks over the summer break. Some placements may run for up to 12 months.
  • Housing: With 20 Halls of Residence, a guarantee of a single room in a Hall in your first year and top-class facilities, Southampton is one of the 10 largest providers of student accommodation in the UK University sector.