Master of Science [MSc] (Maritime Policy and Shipping Management)
Field of Study:
$30,308 /Yr
Cardiff University Maritime Business and International Trade (MSc) is the current title for the supplied Maritime Policy and Shipping Management identity. This one-year, full-time Master of Science is taught at Cardiff Business School in Cardiff, Wales. It requires a UK 2:2 honours degree or equivalent, costs £22,450 (INR 28.77 Lakhs) plus £2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs), and starts 28 September 2026.
The course combines maritime economics, shipping finance, ship chartering, port management and international logistics with policy, regulatory and sustainability questions. Students use industry data, practitioner input and a 60-credit applied research project to examine a real maritime business challenge. The route suits graduates from any discipline who can show analytical interest in shipping, while the absence of a formal placement makes self-directed networking and dissertation planning important.
- Accreditation and professional exemptions connect the curriculum with maritime logistics and shipbroking practice.
- Shipping databases, port visits and practitioner sessions add sector context to classroom learning.
- Optional modules let students strengthen interests in analytics, digitalisation, sustainability or supply-chain resilience.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the September 2026 intake are Open. International student deadline: End of August 2026, subject to earlier closure if all places are filled.
The course uses first-come, first-served review, so a complete application is more useful than waiting for a fixed decision date. Indian applicants should prepare the degree transcript, English evidence and funding plan before submission.
Also Check: Cardiff University postgraduate admission
Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Fees and Living Costs 2026
For September 2026 entry, Cardiff confirms overseas tuition of £22,450 (INR 28.77 Lakhs) for Year one and a £2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) deposit. The deposit is separate from tuition, so applicants should preserve cash for both the initial payment and visa evidence.
Target-cycle fee position: These figures are confirmed for the 2026-27 cycle on the current course page.
| Fee item | Amount (GBP) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas tuition, Year one | £22,450 | INR 28.77 Lakhs |
| International student deposit | £2,500 | INR 3.20 Lakhs |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of GBP 1 = INR 128.16 as of 21 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: Cardiff University course fee schedule checked for the 2026-27 intake.
- Tuition is the main academic charge, while the deposit affects the timing of the first payment rather than reducing the published fee.
- The deposit requires an early liquidity check because it is due before the full cost of relocation and visa processing is complete.
- No separate application fee is listed in the current course fee block, so do not treat the deposit as an application charge.
Cost of Living in Cardiff for Maritime Business MSc Students
Cardiff’s official calculator estimates £1,304.80 (INR 1.67 Lakhs) monthly for an international student in en-suite university accommodation over a nine-month period. The illustration includes rent with bills, food, study, leisure, clothing and mobile or television costs.
The calculator scenario is not course-specific, so use it as a planning baseline rather than a guaranteed personal budget. The Student visa maintenance requirement is separate and should not replace this university living estimate.
| Expense | Monthly (GBP) | Monthly (INR) | Nine months (GBP) | Nine months (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University accommodation rent including bills | £743.87 | INR 95,334 | £6,694.83 | INR 8.58 Lakhs |
| Food, toiletries and laundry | £300.71 | INR 38,539 | £2,706.39 | INR 3.47 Lakhs |
| Study | £20.00 | INR 2,563 | £180.00 | INR 23,069 |
| Social and leisure | £170.22 | INR 21,815 | £1,531.98 | INR 1.96 Lakhs |
| Clothes | £40.00 | INR 5,126 | £360.00 | INR 46,138 |
| Mobile and television licence | £30.00 | INR 3,845 | £270.00 | INR 34,603 |
| Total official calculator estimate | £1,304.80 | INR 1.67 Lakhs | £11,743.20 | INR 15.05 Lakhs |
Using the official £11,743.20 (INR 15.05 Lakhs) living illustration and confirmed tuition, the calculated first-year planning basis is £34,193.20 (INR 43.82 Lakhs). This excludes visa, travel and personal costs. Adding the cached Student visa fee and annual Immigration Health Surcharge produces £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs). This is a planning total rather than a Cardiff-published cost.
Cardiff’s private-accommodation illustration is £1,125.91 (INR 1.44 Lakhs) monthly, which would be £13,510.92 (INR 17.32 Lakhs) for nine months.
Check Out: UK accommodation and living-cost guidance
Budget action
The tuition is confirmed but the course page shows no separate application fee, so build funding around the fee, deposit, living illustration and visa costs before accepting an offer.
Key insight: The first-year planning basis is £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs) before travel and personal costs, so confirm currency conversion and funding liquidity before applying.
Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Admission 2026
Admission is open to applicants with a UK 2:2 honours degree in any subject or an equivalent international qualification. Cardiff treats this as a conversion course, so prior maritime or shipping study is not required, although relevant professional experience can support an application.
Academic Eligibility for Indian Applicants
Cardiff accepts an equivalent international degree and makes the final equivalency decision for each application. Its general Indian postgraduate guidance is approximately 55% to 60%. Applicants should submit complete transcripts because the course page does not promise automatic conversion from a particular university or board.
Academic criteria for the 2026-27 intake: The table separates the published entry rule from the evidence an Indian applicant should prepare.
| Requirement | Cardiff position | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | UK 2:2 honours degree in any subject or equivalent international degree | Use approximately 55% to 60% as general postgraduate guidance, while Cardiff decides equivalency |
| Prior maritime study | No prior subject knowledge or maritime degree is required | Explain the reason for moving into shipping, trade or maritime business |
| Professional experience | Marine-related work, including sea captaincy qualifications, may support applicants with a different degree | Upload signed and dated employer references with a clear role description |
| Pending qualification | Interim transcripts or a provisional certificate may be uploaded | Provide the final award evidence when it becomes available |
| Admissions tests | No GMAT or GRE requirement is listed on the checked course page | Focus preparation on academic evidence, English scores and the application statement |
- A non-maritime bachelor’s degree is acceptable, but the statement should connect prior study or work with maritime business.
- Applicants using professional experience should document responsibilities that demonstrate commercial, operational or marine-sector judgement.
- Cardiff’s final equivalency decision means the 55% to 60% range is guidance rather than an unconditional offer threshold.
English Language Requirements
The course lists IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 overall with 5.5 in every subskill, or an accepted equivalent. This threshold means a lower component can require a retest even when the overall score is sufficient.
Cardiff’s current postgraduate policy lists TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test) 4.5 overall with 3.0 in each subskill. This is the post-January 2026 scale for this IELTS band. Because the course page names an accepted equivalent rather than reproducing that scale, verify its applicability before booking the test.
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) route is published at 69 overall with 59 in each communicative skill. PTE is useful when an applicant can meet every component requirement through one alternative test.
Score scale note: Scores below retain the university’s published scale, and TOEFL values are not self-converted.
| English test or route | Published requirement | Indian applicant implication |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each subskill | Plan around the lowest component, not only the overall score |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 overall with 3.0 in each subskill on the post-January 2026 scale | Verify that Cardiff applies this current general policy to the course before testing |
| PTE | 69 overall with 59 in each communicative skill | Check every communicative skill before sending the score |
| Indian school English evidence | 70% or 140 out of 200 in accepted subjects and boards under current guidance | Ask Cardiff whether this evidence affects the chosen English route rather than assuming a waiver |
- Book an English test early enough to retake any component below the published minimum before the first-come application window closes.
- Use the IELTS route when its component structure is clearer for your preparation, or verify the current TOEFL policy before choosing that scale.
- Keep transcripts, references and English evidence together because Cardiff reviews the application as a complete file.
No current approved global ranking source published a programme-specific position for this maritime MSc, so institutional ranking bands are not presented as a course result.
Tip for Indian students: The course accepts applicants from any academic discipline, but a focused statement and documented maritime interest can make a conversion application easier to assess.
Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Application 2026
The September 2026 application route is first-come, first-served, with applications normally closing at the end of August 2026 or earlier if places fill. Cardiff does not publish a fixed decision date, so Indian applicants should submit a complete file rather than plan around a later round.
The course starts on 28 September 2026, leaving the offer, deposit, visa and travel stages connected. The published closing wording has no time-zone cutoff, so treat the university portal status as controlling.
Application Stages and Dates
Forward-looking application position: The current course page gives a rolling closing condition rather than several dated rounds.
| Stage | Published 2026 date or status | What the applicant should do |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | Open; first-come, first-served | Submit the complete application while places remain |
| Normal closing point | End of August 2026, subject to earlier closure if the course is full | Do not treat the end-August wording as a guaranteed final day |
| Decision | No fixed date published; applications are reviewed against the criteria | Keep funding and visa documents ready while awaiting the outcome |
| Course start | 28 September 2026 | Allow time for the deposit, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and visa process |
- Submit the transcript, personal statement, references and English evidence together because the course is not organised around multiple published rounds.
- Check the portal before submission because the course may close earlier when available places are filled.
- Keep the £2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) deposit available after an offer because the fee schedule lists it separately from tuition.
Cardiff’s logistics and operations group also includes broader Logistics and Operations Management and sustainability-focused Sustainable Supply Chain Management. This route is the sector-specific option for shipping, ports, chartering and maritime trade, so applicants should choose it when those subjects are central.
Application File for Indian Applicants
A strong file should explain why a conversion degree is needed and how previous study or work connects with maritime business. The course page also allows relevant professional experience to support applicants whose first degree is not directly related.
- Use the personal statement to connect economics, trade, logistics, marine operations or commercial analysis with the intended career direction.
- Upload signed and dated references when professional experience is being used to strengthen academic relevance.
- Prepare the final transcript or interim evidence before the rolling window narrows further.
Check Out: Cardiff University postgraduate courses
Application tip: Because there is no fixed decision date and places may close early, submit a complete academic and funding file before relying on the end-August closing wording.
Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Scholarships 2026
For the September 2026 cycle, the relevant Cardiff awards have closed their recorded application windows. Two awards are useful for Indian applicants because their published eligibility includes India or international self-funded students, but neither should reduce the budget before written confirmation.
The current course funding information also identifies some Cardiff Business School Master’s Scholarships as open to UK students only. Those awards are excluded here because this page is for Indian international applicants.
2026 scholarship cycle: The table records the published value, deadline and status without converting a closed award into available funding.
| Award | Value (GBP) | Value (INR) | Eligibility and route | Published deadline and status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff University India Scholarship | £6,000 | INR 7.69 Lakhs | India-domiciled, self-funded students on eligible programmes | 31 July 2026; closed at research date |
| Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship | £4,000 | INR 5.13 Lakhs | Eligible international self-funded students; this course is listed as eligible | Application 31 July 2026 and conditions 20 August 2026; closed at research date |
- Do not subtract either award from the £22,450 (INR 28.77 Lakhs) tuition budget because the 2026 deadlines have passed.
- For a later intake, check the new scholarship cycle because award values, eligible-course lists and deadlines can change.
- Keep proof of self-funding and fee liquidity available because a scholarship decision does not replace the deposit or visa evidence.
Scholarship amounts are deductions from tuition only when the award terms say so, while living, visa and travel costs remain separate. Cardiff’s published funding information does not support presenting these closed 2026 awards as guaranteed net fees.
Read More: UK scholarships and financial support guidance
Funding action
Because both relevant 2026 awards are closed, treat the full tuition and living budget as the funding requirement and investigate later-cycle awards before submitting a new application.
Scholarship reality: The recorded India award could equal INR 7.69 Lakhs, but its 31 July 2026 deadline has passed. Fund the current application without assuming an award.
Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Placements 2026
No course-specific salary, offer rate or placement rate is published for this MSc. Cardiff does publish alumni role examples such as ship broker, maritime surveyor and consultancy.
Organisations named on the course page include Stena Ports, Ocean Network Express and maritime authorities, but these examples show possible directions rather than typical outcomes. The evidence therefore supports career fit analysis, not a graduate salary forecast.
Career and placement evidence: The table separates course information from the outcome claims an applicant should not infer.
| Evidence scope | Published course evidence | Applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Course outcomes | No course-specific salary, offer rate or placement rate published | Do not use a salary forecast or placement probability in a funding model |
| Alumni directions | Examples include ship broker, maritime surveyor and consultancy roles | Use the curriculum to test fit with commercial, surveying or advisory work |
| Named organisations | Stena Ports, Ocean Network Express and maritime authorities are cited | Named organisations show reported links or destinations, not recruitment guarantees |
| Placement structure | No formal placement year; guest lectures, site visits and networking support applied learning | Budget without placement income and treat exposure as career preparation |
| Industrial project | An external organisation dissertation may be available subject to academic performance and competitive matching | Build research and data skills early instead of assuming an external project |
| Professional recognition | Accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers | Check the stated exemptions and membership conditions against your intended professional route |
Source: Cardiff University current course careers and employability information.
Return on Investment for Indian Applicants
The verified first-year planning basis is £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs) before travel and personal costs. It combines £22,450 (INR 28.77 Lakhs) tuition, £11,743.20 (INR 15.05 Lakhs) living and cached visa charges.
The Return on Investment (ROI) question therefore depends on skills, role geography and funding rather than a published salary outcome. No course-specific salary evidence supports a payback calculation or employment guarantee.
- The one-year structure delivers 120 taught credits and a 60-credit applied research project, so target applicants should match the curriculum with maritime commercial roles before committing the fee.
- There is no formal placement year, so budget without placement income and treat guest sessions, visits and networking as preparation rather than paid work.
- An external organisation dissertation may be available subject to academic performance and competitive matching, so build relevant data and research skills before the dissertation stage.
- The Graduate Route offers 18 months for applications from 2027, so UK-focused applicants should test sponsorship prospects against the additional visa and living costs.
- Applicants returning to India should value the course through its maritime trade, port and shipping-finance skills rather than assume UK employment.
Any salary evidence obtained from employers should be treated as gross pay because tax and pension deductions change take-home income; use a current UK tax calculator before modelling repayments.
ROI evidence limit
The course provides sector-specific training and professional links, but the absence of a salary or placement rate means applicants must fund the degree without assuming a defined payback period.
ROI reality: This MSc offers a focused maritime route with a 60-credit project. Its £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs) planning basis requires a funding decision that does not depend on an assumed salary.
UK Visa for Cardiff Maritime Business MSc Students 2026
The UK Student visa budget includes a £558 (INR 71,513) application fee and an IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) of £776 (INR 99,452) per year. The IHS is separate from Cardiff’s living estimate and does not replace the tuition or maintenance funds needed for the application.
For study outside London, the maintenance requirement is £1,171 (INR 1.50 Lakhs) per month for nine months, totalling £10,539 (INR 13.51 Lakhs). This is a visa evidence figure, whereas the university calculator estimates actual student spending.
- The Graduate Route offers 18 months from 2027, and its application costs £937 (INR 1.20 Lakhs) plus £1,552.50 (INR 1.99 Lakhs) health surcharge, so budget separately.
- The general Skilled Worker threshold is £41,700 (INR 53.44 Lakhs), and settlement normally requires five qualifying years, so assess sponsorship separately.
- Student visa work is limited to 20 hours per week during term, and dependants are generally restricted for a standard taught postgraduate course, subject to a government-sponsored exception.
Check Out: UK Student visa requirements for international students
Visa reality: The visa maintenance requirement is £10,539 (INR 13.51 Lakhs) for nine months. Keep it separate from Cardiff’s £11,743.20 (INR 15.05 Lakhs) living illustration when proving funds.
This course fits an Indian applicant seeking a conversion route into maritime economics, shipping finance, port management or international trade. Its one-year structure, professional links and applied dissertation create a focused proposition for someone prepared to learn through projects and sector engagement. The main tradeoff is financial risk because no course-specific salary or placement rate is published. The calculated planning basis is £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs) before travel and personal costs. Submit a complete file while the first-come window remains open, and fund the degree without assuming a scholarship or UK job.
Maritime Business and International Trade MSc FAQs
Ques. Is Maritime Policy and Shipping Management still the Cardiff course title?
Ans. The supplied listing now redirects to Maritime Business and International Trade (MSc), the current title used on Cardiff’s live course page.
Ques. Can I apply without maritime study or a shipping degree?
Ans. Yes. Cardiff accepts a UK 2:2 honours degree in any subject or equivalent, and the conversion course does not require prior maritime knowledge.
Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget for the first year?
Ans. Confirmed tuition is £22,450 (INR 28.77 Lakhs), with a £2,500 (INR 3.20 Lakhs) deposit. Tuition, nine-month living and cached visa charges produce a calculated £35,527.20 (INR 45.53 Lakhs) planning basis before travel and personal costs.
Ques. When should I apply for the September 2026 intake?
Ans. Applications are open first-come, first-served and normally close at the end of August 2026, subject to earlier closure if places fill. The course starts 28 September 2026 and Cardiff publishes no fixed decision date.
Ques. What employment and post-study evidence does Cardiff publish for this MSc?
Ans. Cardiff names maritime roles and organisations but publishes no course-specific salary or placement rate. The Graduate Route offers 18 months for applications from 2027, so treat it as a work window rather than a job guarantee.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $30308 (GBP 22450) |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $20250 (GBP 15000) |
| Total Cost | $20250 (GBP 15000) |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $34358 (GBP 25450) |
| 2021 | $40893 (GBP 30291) |
Important Dates
Scores Required
Required Document List
- Online Application
- Application Fee
- Personal Essay
- Official Transcripts and Degree Conferral (Proof of Degree)
- Academic Records
- Transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Testing
- Letter of Recommendations
- GRE/GMAT Scores(Recommended)

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Key Resources for Your Study Abroad Journey
Course Guides
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Masters in UK: Top Universities, Admission Requirements, Tuition Fees, and Scholarships
Career and Placement after Course
Possible career opportunities for the students are:
- Professor of Maritime Study
- Maritime Journalist
- Harbor/Port Management
- Marine Resource Management
- Coast Guard Officer
Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,350/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Saltire Scholarships | Scholarship per student$ 10,800/Yr$8,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| India Postgraduate Taught Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 4,799/Yr$3,555 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,700/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored |
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| Program | Important Date | Total Fees | Median Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MBA, Cardiff University1 year | -- | USD 46,845 /Yr GBP 34,700 /Yr |
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