Master of Business Administration in Maritime Management
Postgraduate
TAS-BAM-MAS 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
High level management expertise for the maritime industry
You’ll examine business principles, like management and finance, to strengthen your decision-making. Dive into commercial ship management, maritime law and policy. Choose your specialisation and steer your career towards logistics, tech, or shipping.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 9 Feb 2025,
- 6 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Business Administration in Maritime Management
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Plan and develop organisational strategies for the maritime industry using business management concepts, processes and skills.
- Lead decision making in maritime industry organisations using advanced knowledge in maritime logistics, maritime technologies, and shipping operations.
- Develop and evaluate maritime management solutions to complex problems faced by the maritime industry.
- Conduct a research or industry-based project to advance the knowledge and practices for maritime management.
- Manage communications across organisational teams, customers and business partners to support business outcomes in maritime management contexts.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for those seeking to acquire specific management skills and knowledge appropriate for the maritime industry. The program will equip you with a high level of understanding of the maritime industry and provide the foundation to undertake middle and senior management positions after graduating.
The maritime industry is at the forefront of international trade for sustainable development and presents an exciting, dynamic, and challenging environment in which to work. The MBA program offers a unique educational experience with a focus on an applied approach to the maritime industry, centred on strategic and analytical thinking. It provides industry-focused learning outcomes by applying business principles such as management and finance to the maritime industry, along with a strategic perspective on international issues related to maritime management. The MBA aims to produce interculturally competent graduates who can substantially contribute to the sustainability of the maritime industry in senior decision-making roles.
The MBA in Maritime Management offers three specialisations: Maritime Logistics, Maritime Technology, and Shipping Operations. These specialisations allow you to explore the theory and practice of business logistics and supply chain management, business operations, and technology within the maritime industry context. They provide opportunities for you to apply managerial expertise in different sectors of the maritime industry.
The MBA in Maritime Management is a nested program that includes entry and exit awards for the Graduate Certificate in Maritime Management and the Graduate Diploma of Maritime Management. These pathway programs offer you flexibility and choice to align your employment prospects and career/learning progression with personal goals and circumstances.
Recommended study pattern
The Master of Business Administration in Maritime Management includes the following options:
- 2-year (16 subjects) MBAMarMgt - this is the default program option for students who have not completed prior study or work experience in a related (cognate) area.
- 1.5-year (12 subjects) MBAMarMgt - this is the default program option for students who have completed prior study or work experience in a related (cognate) area
A cognate undergraduate degree would be in the same or related area eg, maritime management, logistics management, supply chain management, nautical science, marine engineering, maritime engineering (naval architecture, ocean engineering), and business management; or any Bachelor degree with a major in business, logistics management, and supply chain management
Cognate industry experience would be in the fields of maritime, transport, logistics and supply chain.
All students will have the flexibility of developing their research training through either a dissertation or an Industry project.
The 2-year (200 credit points) program, comprising:
- Core Subjects (100 credit points)
- Research or Project Subjects (50 credit points). Students can undertake either Dissertation or Industry research project option. Each option has four subjects (50 credit points). The Dissertation option is the pathway to a PhD.
- Specialisation subjects or 4 cross-listed subjects (50 credit points)
Students can undertake any of the three specialisations (Maritime Logistics, Maritime Technology, Shipping Operations), Or Students can undertake any four subjects of their choice listed in the three specialisations. Note: the two subjects in the Maritime Technology specialisation (JEE504 and JEE523) require Engineering qualifications.
For students undertaking full-time study, the following study pattern is recommended.
Year 1
8 core subjects including:
- TAS-JNB517 Management
- TAS-JNB518 Finance for Decision-Making
- TAS-JNB521 Maritime Economics for Managers
- TAS-JNB534 Commercial Ship Management
- TAS-JNB620 Maritime Law
- TAS-JNB626 International Maritime Policy
- TAS-JNB635 Business Analytics and Operations Research
- TAS-JNB739 Strategic Management
Year 2
4 subjects from one of the following Specialisations OR 4 Cross-Listed subjects.
Specialisations
Maritime Logistics
- TAS-JNB512 International Trade
- TAS-JNB522 Business Logistics
- TAS-JNB616 Port Management and Strategy
- TAS-JNB624 Supply Chain Management
Maritime Technology (note this specialisation requires Engineering qualifications)
- TAS-JEE504 Principles of Naval Architecture
- TAS-JEE523 Design of Marine Machinery Systems
- TAS-JND612 Marine Superintendency
- TAS-JND613 Marine Surveying and Inspection
Shipping Operations
- TAS-JNB616 Port Management and Strategy
- TAS-JND503 Maritime Safety
- TAS-JND517 Harbour Operations and Services
- TAS-JND613 Marine Surveying and Inspection
Cross-Listed
- TAS-JEE504 Principles of Naval Architecture
- TAS-JEE523 Design of Marine Machinery Systems
- TAS-JNB512 International Trade
- TAS-JNB522 Business Logistics
- TAS-JNB616 Port Management and Strategy
- TAS-JNB624 Supply Chain Management
- TAS-JND503 Maritime Safety
- TAS-JND517 Harbour Operations and Services
- TAS-JND612 Marine Superintendency
- TAS-JND613 Marine Surveying and Inspection
4 subjects from Research or Project options:
Dissertation option
- TAS-JNB608 Research Methods
- TAS-JNB718 Dissertation Part 1/3
- TAS-JNB721 Dissertation Part 2/3
- TAS-JNB722 Dissertation Part 3/3
Industry Project option
- TAS-JNB608 Research Methods
- TAS-JNB701 Maritime Logistics Informatics
- TAS-JNB728 Industry Research Project
- TAS-JNB735 Knowledge Management
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 16 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$24,580
Indicative total fee $49,090
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
The College of Sciences and Engineering may accept as a candidate for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Maritime Management a person who has:
• An undergraduate degree of an Australian higher education institution or the equivalent standard in any other institution and at least two years' work experience (NOTE 1.); or,
• A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Maritime Management or a related discipline; or,
• A professional qualification such as a Certificate of Competency as a Master Class 1 (Unlimited) or Chief Engineer and at least two years' work experience; or,
• If a first degree or professional qualification is not held, candidates may apply to the Department of Maritime and Logistics Management for consideration as a candidate. These applicants are assessed on their work experience, current managerial responsibilities and any other qualifications.
Applicants intending to undertake the Maritime Technology Specialisation must have:
- An undergraduate degree in engineering; or
- A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Engineering; or
- A professional qualification in engineering such as a Certificate of Competency Chief Engineer or Engineer Class 2.
NOTE : An applicant lacking the requirement of at least two years' work experience will normally need to complete the Graduate Certificate in Maritime Management before being admitted to MBA in Maritime Management. In some instances, however, students may be admitted directly to MBA in Maritime Management but will still need to successfully complete all four subjects in their first semester of enrolment (i.e. the equivalent of Graduate Certificate in Maritime Management) in order to be allowed to continue in the program.
The Graduate Certificate in Maritime Management, the Graduate Diploma of Maritime Management, and the MBA in Maritime Management form an articulated sequence of awards for which full credit is granted in the higher level award for all corresponding coursework completed in the lower level award of the articulated sequence.
Career opportunities
Our program equips you with specialised management skills and industry knowledge, propelling you towards middle and senior management roles.
Focusing on practical applications and strategic thinking, you'll actively engage with global trade and maritime operations. Choose from specialisations in maritime logistics, maritime technology, and shipping operations that align with your career goals.
You'll graduate ready to make an immediate impact in the maritime sector.
Professional recognition
Fully accredited by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA)
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Chief Executives and Managing Directors | N/A^ | Up 10.8% |
General Managers | N/A^ | Up 59.7% |
Importers, Exporters and Wholesalers | $93K to $120K | Up 0.2% |
Marine Transport Professionals | Over $120K | Up 16.7% |
Ship's Masters | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers | Over $120K | Up 12.6% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.