University of Strathclyde

What you'll study

This master's combines core doctrinal subjects with applied and policy-oriented topics to give a rounded understanding of the legal framework for international shipping and maritime activities. Teaching typically includes a mix of lectures, seminars, case studies and assessed coursework, with an independent dissertation or major research project at the end of the programme.

• Core subjects: international carriage of goods by sea (including bills of lading and charterparties), admiralty jurisdiction and enforcement, marine insurance, collision and salvage law, and liability and compensation regimes.
• Public international law and regulation: the law of the sea (including UNCLOS principles), coastal state jurisdiction, maritime boundaries and marine environmental regulation.
• Commercial and transactional topics: ship finance and security, ship sale and purchase, ship registration and flags of convenience, and issues arising in offshore energy projects.
• Dispute resolution and practice: arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in shipping, procedural aspects of admiralty claims, P&I club practice and the role of classification societies.
• Optional and specialised modules: maritime security, ports and terminal law, environmental protection at sea, regulatory compliance, and interdisciplinary options drawing on business and engineering faculties.

Students benefit from practitioner guest lectures and case-focused workshops. Assessment methods typically include essays, case reports, exams, group work and a substantial research dissertation or practice-led project tailored to the student's interests.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree in law (LLB) or an equivalent qualification. Candidates with professional experience in the maritime or shipping sector, or with a degree in a related discipline plus relevant experience, may also be considered.

International applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the university's English language requirements. Selection is based on academic merit, references, and the applicant's capacity to benefit from postgraduate study; relevant professional experience and a clear statement of purpose strengthen applications.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a wide variety of roles across the maritime ecosystem. Typical career paths include:

• Solicitors and legal advisers in law firms specialising in shipping and international trade.
• In-house counsel roles with shipowners, charterers, port operators, shipyards and offshore energy companies.
• Positions with P&I clubs, marine insurers, brokers and claims handlers.
• Regulatory and policy posts in government agencies, flag administrations and maritime authorities.
• Arbitration and dispute-resolution practitioners, including roles with arbitration institutions and international tribunals.
• Graduate roles in classification societies, maritime consultancies and international organisations concerned with maritime safety and environmental protection.
• Academic and research careers, including further doctoral study in maritime law or related interdisciplinary fields.

Why study at University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde offers maritime law teaching within a university known for strong links to industry and applied research. Students benefit from proximity to a vibrant Scottish maritime cluster, which provides opportunities for guest speakers, industry projects and professional networking.

Teaching draws on academic staff with specialist expertise in shipping and international trade law and is supplemented by practitioners from law firms, insurers and industry. The university's interdisciplinary strengths — including business, engineering and energy research — allow students to place legal issues in their broader commercial and technical context.

The programme is designed to be practice-relevant while maintaining rigorous academic standards, preparing graduates for immediate professional engagement in the international maritime sector or for further scholarly work.