Business

Bachelor of Science in Maritime Management

The Bachelor of Science in Maritime Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in maritime management. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Maritime Management, Maritime Operations, Port Management, Shipping Logistics, Maritime Economics, Maritime Law. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advertising, Business Process Modeling, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Financial Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Maritime Management Research Project, Maritime Economics, Maritime Safety, Maritime Law, Introduction to Maritime Management. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Port Management, Maritime Economics, Shipping Logistics. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Maritime Management pursue careers as Maritime Manager, Maritime Consultant, Shipping Logistics Manager, Maritime Economist. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Maritime Management
Maritime Operations
Port Management
Shipping Logistics
Maritime Economics
Maritime Law

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Maritime Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to maritime management, covering maritime concepts, management principles, and approaches to maritime operations.
Maritime Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of maritime operations, covering shipping operations, port operations, maritime logistics, and operational management.
Port Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of port management, covering port operations, port planning, port infrastructure, and port administration.
Shipping Logistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of shipping logistics, covering logistics management, supply chain, freight forwarding, and maritime logistics.
Maritime Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of maritime economics, covering shipping economics, port economics, maritime trade, and sustainable maritime economics.
Maritime Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of maritime law skills, covering maritime legislation, international maritime law, regulatory frameworks, and compliance.
Maritime Safety
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of maritime safety, covering safety management, risk assessment, safety regulations, and emergency response.
Maritime Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of maritime policy, covering maritime legislation, policy development, regulatory frameworks, and compliance.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in maritime context.
Maritime Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in maritime management, covering environmental ethics, safety ethics, and ethical decision-making in maritime practice.
Maritime Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical maritime work where students apply learned skills in maritime operations, port management, and shipping logistics.
Maritime Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on maritime topic, demonstrating mastery of maritime management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Port Management
Focus on port operations, port planning, and port infrastructure for port management careers. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Maritime Economics
Focus on shipping economics, port economics, and maritime trade. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Shipping Logistics
Specialization in logistics management, supply chain, and freight forwarding. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct maritime operations, participate in case studies, and engage in port management.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for maritime professionals due to port development and maritime trade growth.
Maritime management offers diverse career opportunities in port authorities, shipping companies, and maritime organizations.
Maritime operations and port management provide hands-on experience with shipping logistics and operational management.

Against it

Maritime work often involves port environments and exposure to maritime conditions.
Maritime management requires understanding of complex maritime regulations and international standards.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public184k to 245k

184k at Technical University of Mombasa245k at Kenyatta University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TUM 183,600/yr KUCCPS; KU Coastal&Marine 244,800/yr. Private unverified. Src: educationnewshub, kenyaeducationguide

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Transport Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Mathematics
C+
English/Kiswahili
C
Physics/Chemistry
C
Any Group II subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of maritime management skills, maritime work, and practical applications through maritime operations and case studies.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on maritime topic, demonstrating mastery of maritime management theory and practice.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and maritime exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of maritime operations, port management, and shipping logistics.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Maritime Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage maritime operations, develop maritime strategies, and coordinate shipping logistics and port management.
Maritime Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide maritime expertise, consult on maritime strategy, and support organizations in maritime improvement.
Shipping Logistics Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage shipping logistics, develop logistics strategies, and coordinate supply chain and freight forwarding.
Maritime Economist
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse maritime economics, develop maritime strategies, and support shipping economics and maritime trade.
Port Manager
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage port operations, develop port strategies, and coordinate port infrastructure and port administration.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in maritime management across Kenya's maritime and transport sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.
The degree is not recognised internationally.
The programme is accredited by CUE and is recognised under regional and international qualification frameworks.