The BSc (Hons) top up in Maritime Operations, awarded by Lancaster University, will help you develop the advanced knowledge and skills to succeed across the maritime industry, at sea and ashore.
Developed in line with the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) Maritime 2050 strategy, this programme is industry relevant and future focused. Through continuous engagement with the maritime industry, it stays current, high quality, and closely aligned to the sector’s evolving needs.
Quick facts about the programme
The programme offers:
• a single, unified pathway, bringing together graduates from Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, and Electro-Technical Engineering backgrounds
• two entry routes: HND/Advanced Diploma, or Foundation Degree
• a flexible, blended learning approach: the first term is on campus at Fleetwood, the rest is studied remotely
• three intakes a year: September, January and May
Studying from anywhere
From Term 2 you study remotely, so you can continue wherever you are based: including at sea. Live sessions are recorded and supported by materials on Canvas, and supervision and tutorials are scheduled to work around different time zones and shift patterns. Our Partners for Success team supports you throughout, on campus and online.
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Maritime Operations - BSC Hons Degree (Top Up)
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Find out more and apply
Find out what you’ll study and how the course is delivered. This programme is industry relevant and future focused. Through continuous engagement with the maritime industry, it stays current, high quality, and closely aligned to the sector’s evolving needs.
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Did you know
You can receive up to £1,000, depending on your course and costs, and you may also be eligible for an interest-free loan (see the interest-free loans page here).
You can find out more at the Marine Society website.
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Scholarship opportunities
The Worcester Scholarship supports officers pursuing academic degrees in Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, or Electro-Technical fields, and may also fund advanced professional qualifications where no other support is available.
Entry requirements
Entrants will normally have successfully completed an STCW aligned HND/Advanced Diploma, or a Foundation Degree in a maritime related discipline from a UK institution. International qualifications of an equivalent standard are considered on a case by case basis. Applicants whose first language is not English may be asked to evidence IELTS Academic 5.5 overall (minimum 4.0 in each component) or equivalent.
Enrolling with an HND/Advanced Diploma
This route includes a short pre-entry module: Maritime Academic Literacies: which you complete before the main programme begins. Delivered through a blended approach and assessed on a pass/fail basis, it builds the academic study skills (referencing, critical reading, and scholarly writing) that support success at Level 6.
Enrolling with a Foundation Degree
If you hold a relevant Foundation Degree, you can progress straight onto the main programme: the pre-entry module is not required.
More detail
The programme takes a holistic, operational view of the maritime industry, developing the advanced technical, analytical, digital, and management capabilities needed to lead in a fast-changing sector. It prepares graduates for a wide range of current and emerging roles, both at sea and ashore, and supports progression into senior shore based positions or a continued career at sea.
You will study five modules across a single academic year: four taught modules of 20 credits each: Maritime Project Delivery, Digital Ship Intelligence, Maritime Sustainability, and Future Shipping Technologies, together with a 40 credit Dissertation on a contemporary maritime challenge of your choice, linked to your interests and career aspirations.
Where it can take you
Graduates progress into roles such as Technical Superintendent, Fleet Manager, Operations Manager, Port Operations Manager, and Sustainability or Decarbonisation Lead, as well as into postgraduate study and professional chartership.
For more information, contact our team by email at maritime@blackpool.ac.uk or call 01253 504800.
