Interested in the maritime industry? Here are some courses that will help you gain a foothold into this thriving industry! Please be aware that this is a non-exhaustive list—we will add to this list over time!
All course fees are for 2021/22 intakes unless specified, and are subject to changes depending on the school; fees do not include miscellaneous fees.
Course list:
Diplomas
Singapore Polytechnic – Diploma in Marine Engineering
Singapore Polytechnic’s maritime programmes are offered via Singapore Maritime Academy, which is Singapore’s first maritime institution that was established in 1957. The institute’s academic facilities include a Maritime Business Centre, an Integrated Simulation Centre and a Ship Planning Laboratory. Students will learn via a mix of lectures, tutorials, hands-on training, and digital tools such as AR and VR.
The Diploma in Marine Engineering covers the engineering disciplines of mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, engineering design and control technology, and exposes its students to advanced ship engineering system simulators and various Naval Architecture training software.
Programme Duration: Three years full-time
Curriculum: Study modules such as Engineering Mathematics, Naval Architecture, Auxiliary Machinery as well as Electric Machines and Systems. The course includes a 26-week internship.
Course Fees: SGD 2,992.72 for Singaporeans, 6,122.72 for Permanent Residents, 11,156.82 for international students per academic year
Prospects: Diploma graduates can pursue further studies in both local and overseas universities, in related engineering degrees, or the Bachelor of Maritime Operations offered by the Maritime Institute of Willem Barentsz while at sea. Alternatively, they can work towards becoming Junior Engineers.
Singapore Polytechnic – Diploma in Maritime Business
A disclaimer: do take note that maritime business courses focus on business with a maritime aspect and as such are largely based onshore. Singapore’s Diploma in Maritime Business promises lots of hands-on training and practice, which will be augmented by case studies and field visits.
Programme Duration: Three years full-time
Curriculum: Study modules such as Maritime Economics, Bunkering Practices, Ship Financing as well as Marine Insurance. The course includes a 26-week internship.
Course Fees: SGD 2,992.72 for Singaporeans, 6,122.72 for Permanent Residents, 11,156.82 for international students per academic year
Prospects: Graduates can pursue further studies in maritime-related programmes, or find work as junior executives in capacities such as shipping documentation, ship operations, logistics, and more.
Singapore Polytechnic – Diploma in Nautical Studies
The Diploma in Nautical Studies is the perfect choice for those who have the sea in their blood. The diploma is taught in three phases: the pre-sea induction, sea training, and resuming classes at Singapore Polytechnic with the help of simulators. Key things taught include navigation skills, meteorology, maritime communications and signals, and ship stability.
You’ll need to pass an eyesight test to gain admission into this course.
Programme Duration: Three years full-time
Curriculum: Study modules such as Marine Communications and Signals, Mathematics, Science, Coastal Navigation as well as Navigation. The course also includes a 52-week shipboard training programme.
Course Fees: SGD 2,992.72 for Singaporeans, 6,122.72 for Permanent Residents, 11,156.82 for international students per academic year
Prospects: Graduates of this diploma will also attain the Class 3 Deck Officer qualification, which will allow them to sail as a certified sea-going officer worldwide. They can also pursue further studies or look for jobs on shore.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Diploma in Marine and Offshore Technology
Currently the only diploma course in Singapore to offer both naval architecture and offshore engineering, students will learn how to design and build ship models/prototypes—then test them in a towing tank. The diploma is heavy on hands-on practical experience, and will have one integrated real-world project per semester.
Programme Duration: Three years full-time
Curriculum: Study modules such as Naval Architecture, Marine CAD, Marine Design Applications as well as Marine Design Drafting. The course also includes a 6-month internship.
Course Fees: SGD2,900 for Singaporeans, 6,000 for Permanent Residents, 11,000 for international students per academic year (tuition fees only)
Prospects: Graduates can find work in shipyards, research and development in the maritime and offshore industry, and so on. They also have the option to pursue further education.
Singapore Polytechnic – Specialist Diploma in Maritime Superintendency
This diploma caters to individuals with some experience in ship operation and management. Students will learn how to ensure that ship fleets under their care adhere to local and international standards and regulations, review and manage risk assessments, manage ship budgets, and more.
Programme Duration: One year, part-time
Curriculum: The course comprises two PDCs. The first is the PDC in Technical Management for Maritime Superintendent, made up of the Maritime Superintendent & Shipping Landscape, Dry Docking Management, and Fleet & Technical Management modules. The second is the PDC in Maritime Legal, Quality and Financial Management, made up of the Maritime Legal & Financial Management, Health, Safety, Security, Environment & Quality Management, and Maritime Regulations & Conventions modules.
Course Fees: SGD898.32 for Singaporeans <40, 598.88 for Singaporeans ≥ 40, 2,395.52 for Permanent Residents. Those under training schemes may stand to pay 618.47-716.42. This fee excludes miscellaneous fees.
Prospects: Graduates can look for jobs as Maritime Superintendents.
Degrees
Nanyang Technological University – Bachelor of Science in Maritime Studies
The Bachelor of Science in Maritime Studies offered by Nanyang Technological University covers maritime science and technology, as well as management skills pertaining to the shipping sector. You can choose to take this degree with a second major in business, or specialise in International Trading.
Programme Duration: Four years full-time, direct honours
Curriculum: Study module such as Ship Chartering, Probability & Statistics, Trade Practice and Incoterms, as well as Maritime Technology. There will also be an internship component.
Course Fees: SGD8,200 for Singaporeans, 11,500 for Permanent Residents, 17,550 for international students per academic year.
Prospects: According to NTU, graduates have pursued careers in both the maritime industry and elsewhere. This includes the public sector, the academic sector, and more.
Singapore Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Marine Engineering
Jointly offered by the SIT and Newcastle University, students of this degree will get to specialise in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture or Offshore Engineering. They will also get to study exclusive modules such as Marine Classifications.
Programme Duration: Three years, full-time
Curriculum: Study modules such as Materials in the Marine Environment, Marine Structures, Ship Resistance, and Drilling Engineering. The degree also includes an Integrated Work Study Programme and a capstone project.
Course Fees: SGD30,960.00 for Singaporeans (114,020.00 for non-subsidised fees)
Prospects: According to SIT, graduates can find employment in oil and gas companies, classification societies, statutory boards, shipyards, and more[i].
Singapore Management University – Maritime Business and Operations track
While SMU currently does not offer a dedicated maritime degree, it does offer the Maritime Business and Operations Track (MBOT); this is a maritime-focused cluster of courses within the Operations major that was launched in January 2019. The MBOT track is open to all SMU students—non-Business majors will take the MBOT as a second major.
Programme Duration: –
Curriculum: Credit courses in the MBOT track include Port-Focal Logistics & Maritime Operations and Law of International Trade, as well as electives such as Computer Simulation and Maritime Digitalisation.
Course Fees: SGD11,450 for Singaporeans, 16,000 for Permanent Residents, 24,500 for international students per academic year (subsidised rates)
Prospects: Graduates will be able to pursue careers in the commercial sector of the maritime industry.
Postgraduate Education
Singapore Polytechnic – Diploma (Conversion) in Maritime Business Management
This diploma caters to individuals with experience in shipping operations and logistics/offshore management, but no formal education in maritime courses. It also welcomes sea-going junior officers who are interested in shore-based careers.
Programme Duration: One year, part-time
Curriculum: The course comprises two Post Diploma Certificates (PDCs), The first is the PDC in Shipping Business and Operations, made up of the Maritime Economics and Shipbroking, Maritime Law and Insurance, and Port and Cargo Management modules. The second is the PDC in Ship Management and Offshore, made up of the Marketing and Financial Management, Ship Management and Surveying, and Marine Offshore Operations modules.
Course Fees: SGD957.70 for Singaporeans <40, 638.47 for Singaporeans ≥ 40, 2,553.88 for Permanent Residents. Those under training schemes may stand to pay 659.35-763.78. This fee excludes miscellaneous fees.
Prospects: Graduates will be able to look for work in the maritime field as senior executives or junior managers. They can also explore further education with the University of Plymouth or Solent University (U.K).
Singapore Polytechnic – Diploma in Maritime and Offshore Management
Like the Diploma (Conversion) in Maritime Business Management, this diploma is for those who are keen on entering the maritime industry but do not possess the relevant qualifications. Classes are held in the evening, thrice a week.
Programme Duration: One-year, part-time
Curriculum: The course comprises two certificates in Maritime Business and Maritime & Offshore respectively. A total of six modules is covered: they are Maritime Economic and Shipbroking, Maritime Law and Insurance, Cargo Management and Ship Surveying, Ship and Financial Management, Maritime and Offshore Operations, and Supply Chain Management.
Course Fees: SGD4,494.00
Prospects: Graduates can explore the thriving maritime industry.
National University of Singapore – MSc (Maritime Technology and Management)
The MSc (Maritime Technology and Management) is a new programme that will have its inaugural intake in August 2021. It aims to develop maritime talent with strong analytics expertise, and the key skill sets needed to support Singapore’s next-generation maritime port plans.
Programme Duration: 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time.
Curriculum: Seven compulsory modules: these are Data Analytics for Industrial Engineers, Applied Programming for Industrial Systems, Maritime Industry Fundamentals, Port Logistics and Supply Chain, Maritime Data Analytics, Intermodal Freight Transport and Logistics, and Maritime Industrial Attachment/MTM5101P Maritime Team Project respectively.
Course Fees: SGD58,000 (before GST or scholarship award)
Prospects: The programme will offer job placement assistance and increase your eligibility for senior/management positions.
Nanyang Technological University – Master of Science in Maritime Studies
Launched in July 2004, the Master of Science in Maritime Studies was Singapore’s first Bachelor and Master of Science programme in Maritime Studies. The programme caters to young graduates and middle-management executives who want to further their education in maritime studies, and also to those looking to enter the sector.
Programme Duration: 1-3 years full-time (part-time available)
Curriculum: Four compulsory modules, these being Shipping Management (1 &2) as well as Project Management and Maritime Economics. Candidates will also have to choose at least two Maritime electives from Strategic Planning, Cross Cultural Management, Ship Operations, Brokering and Chartering, Maritime Logistics, Port Management, Marine Insurance and Environmental Shipping respectively.
Course Fees: SGD32,240 (based on shortest candidature period). This course is eligible for the Maritime Cluster Fund and the SkillsFuture Study Award for Sea Transport.
Prospects: Increase your eligibility for senior/management positions
We hope this list has been helpful. The exciting Maritime sector awaits!
[i] https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/sites/default/files/SIT_Cluster_ENGG.pdf
