Maritime Security MA/PGCert/PGDip (2023/24)

Course overview

Study level: Postgraduate

Maritime Security is one of the most dynamic and expanding sectors in the security industry with an impact on development efforts, insurance, international law, and global shipping. It encompasses the headline issue of piracy alongside other security challenges such as trafficking by sea, illegal fishing and port security.

The MA is a blended distance learning course. We also provide the opportunity to study through our fast-track (APEL) route which can allow you to gain accreditation for your prior experience and learning, including what you have achieved in your career so far.

Qualifications available:

Postgraduate Certificate in Maritime Security (8 months by blended/distance-learning).
Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Security (16 months by blended/distance-learning).
Full Term MA Maritime Security (24 months by blended/distance-learning).
Maritime Security (16 months by blended/distance-learning Fast-Track MA (APEL).

For more information on APEL, please see Accreditation, Professional Recognition and Exemptions.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

human silhouette teaching in front of blackboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Our MA Maritime Security is a pioneering postgraduate qualification. It is shaped by current active researchers in the field, informed by real world events and led by a current teaching team with a wealth of experience in the policy, practice and theory that underpin this dynamic and growing field.
We provide a supportive and friendly learning environment. Each year we have a cohort of students from around the world who bring with them an array of personal and professional experiences in maritime security and related fields. The opportunity to meet and learn with professionals in similar roles but working in very different parts of the world is one of the most important and powerful aspects of our programme.
The MA prepares people to enter into or further a career in fields relating to Maritime Security, including shipping, the security sector, counter-terrorism, law, insurance, development, international relations, and diplomacy.

Accreditation, Professional Recognition and Exemptions

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is the process by which Coventry University awards credits towards a qualification based on a student’s prior learning and experience in, for example, their career, previous qualifications and other, relevant life experience.

For this course, Coventry University is able to award a third of the credits of the qualification based on a student’s reflection on the outcomes of their prior experience and learning, providing a fast-track option and an opportunity to complete a master’s degree in 16 months rather than 2 years. For more information on our APEL route or this course, contact our team on study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk or speak to Heather, our Postgraduate Programmes Manager, on  +44 (0) 2477659059.

What you'll study

Our Maritime Security programmes is designed for individuals preparing to enter into or further a career in fields relating to Maritime Security (e.g. shipping, the security sector, law, insurance, development, international relations, diplomacy etc).

This programme is studied in three stages:

Postgraduate Certificate (60 Master's level credits);
Postgraduate Diploma level (120 Master's level credits);
Master's (180 Master's level credits)

Students start with the Postgraduate Certificate stage, then they move on to the Postgraduate Diploma and finish with the Master’s degree, with the option to stop, pause or progress at each stage. Each stage must be successfully completed before progressing on to the next.

In year one, students start with the three Postgraduate Certificate modules:

Peace, Conflict and Security in the 21st Century;
Introduction to Maritime Security - Theory, Concepts and Key Perspectives;
Maritime Security in the 21st Century: Challenges and Responses.

If they choose to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma, their final module in year one will be Privatisation of International Security.

Modules

Peace, Conflict and Security in the 21st Century – 20 credits

This module develops your critical understanding of the key concepts of peace, conflict and security and examines their application to contemporary problems. You will be presented with insights from a range of disciplines on both the causes and consequences of conflict and the practices which aim to address the problem of violence in all its forms.

Compulsory
Introduction to Maritime Security - Theory, Concepts and Key Perspectives – 20 credits

The central aim of this module is to provide you with a specialist study in the discipline of Maritime Security within the context of International Security. The module will present various International Relations approaches to security and explore ways in which maritime security is situated within this context, including how a variety of state and non-state stakeholders interact in the maritime domain.

Emphasis will be placed on the interconnectivity between the land and sea while also encouraging a critical approach towards research including analysing traditional and contemporary approaches to maritime security. In addition, this module will encourage you to critically assess cutting edge approaches and theories relating to maritime security policy, governance and law and consider how these concepts translate into practice.

Compulsory
Maritime Security in the 21st Century - Challenges and Responses – 20 credits

This module provides specialist study in the discipline of maritime security. It offers you the opportunity to better understand contemporary maritime security challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, cyber threats, etc. and the respective responses delivered by a variety of state and non-state actors. The module will also explore the typology of maritime security challenges, utilising case studies of the existing ‘hot spots’ at the global level aiming to highlight that local distinctiveness is a critical factor for the transferability of responses.

Compulsory
Privatisation of International Security – 20 credits

This module provides specialist study on the privatisation of International Security with a specific focus on the maritime domain. It offers students the opportunity to better understand the push-pull factors which led to the privatisation of security and highlight the allocation of security provision tasks to the private industry, which were hitherto perceived as a state obligation and monopoly. The module will explore potential differences between land based and maritime companies, in terms of governance, their securitised space of action and typology of business tasks.

Compulsory

The Postgraduate Diploma stage continues in year two with two further modules:

Complexity in Protective Security and Resilience
Environment, Conflict, and Sustainability

If students choose to progress to the Master's, final modules in year two will be Research Design in CTPSR, and the dissertation, supervised by a subject expert from the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. A final workshop is offered at the beginning of the Research Design in CTPSR module, to provide training in research methods and should help you to prepare for your dissertation.

Modules

Complexity in Protective Security and Resilience – 20 credits

This module is designed to critically explore the complex issues impacting on protective security approaches in urban, maritime and aviation contexts. It is designed to critically analyse these complexities in the context of threats, governance (jurisdictional/governmental/organisations), geography (location/physicality of sites), and people (public/private) and the interconnections and dependencies that exist between all of these components.

Compulsory
Environment, Conflict and Sustainability – 20 credits

This interdisciplinary module aims to examine the complex interactions of natural resources, environment, conflict, development and peace on land and at sea. It looks at key theories and concepts in the area such as ‘resource curse,’ ‘extractivism,’ ‘environmental justice’ and ‘political ecology.’

Compulsory
Research Design in CTPSR – 10 credits

This module enables you to learn how to carefully design and plan your research. You will be asked to identify the appropriate methodology and methods for your chosen project, be taught the difference about distinct types of research questions and encouraged to gain an understanding of research ethics.

Compulsory
Dissertation in CTPSR – 50 credits

This module enables you to write an extended piece of written work entailing independent study and the use of appropriate research techniques and source materials – your dissertation. The dissertation may consist of a critical evaluation of literature, of a reassessment of evidence, of an evaluation of particular approaches or techniques, or of a limited piece of original or applied research. The dissertation should build on the foundation provided by the Maritime Security taught modules and may involve either the fuller development of subject matter and techniques encountered in the taught programme or the exploration of new areas and techniques appropriate to the overall programme of study.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is part-time.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please call +24 776 59 059 or email our team on study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk if you have questions about part-time study and teaching hours.

Our Maritime Security courses combine short workshops with interactive online learning, making them perfect for people who need to integrate their studies with family or work commitments.

For online teaching, students use Aula. The design is based on existing social media platforms so it feels familiar, meaning you can quickly and easily find your way around and engage with others. Some of Aula’s benefits include:

User friendly interface – browse content and module materials on a central newsfeed, where you can share comments or join in conversations. Here, you are only ever one click away from course information and connecting with others
Engaging – create small working groups or chat privately with peers, friends, lecturers and tutors
Integrated – interact with existing tools, such as OneDrive, The Big Blue Button and more
Flexible – take control over when and where you study, with direct online access on laptops, tablets and mobile phone devices

Teaching contact hours

The number of part-time contact hours and self-directed study hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 hours per week, in total.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

Essays
Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Coursework
Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

All applications will be evaluated individually with admissions decisions made by CTPSR. Admission decisions are based on the entry criteria elaborated below and an evaluation of the required application documents. Ordinarily, the minimum entry criteria for each stage (PGCert, PGDip & MA) of the Maritime Security programme are as follows:

Applicants should hold a 2:2 or above degree (or equivalent international grade/qualification), from a recognised University, preferably in a social science subject (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Security Studies, International Relations, Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, etc.).

To be eligible for AP(E)L an applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years evidenced working experience in Maritime Security and be operating at the level of mid-management or above at the time of application, or have operated within a relevant role at the level of mid-management or above within 12 months of the time of application. An eligible applicant seeking AP(E)L will be assessed by a portfolio and admissions interview, alongside their capacity to complete the programme successfully.

For further information on eligibility and the application process please email study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.

Relevant fields are shipping (industry, insurance, legal services, risk management); security (navies, coastguards, marine police, privately contracted); governmental and non-governmental organisations (foreign policy, international development, environmental, security policy, marine); maritime education (lecturers, teaching, instructors). Other roles and experience outside of these specific fields may be considered. Contact our team if you would like any further information on this.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

All applications will be evaluated individually with admissions decisions made by CTPSR. Admission decisions are based on the entry criteria elaborated below and an evaluation of the required application documents. Ordinarily, the minimum entry criteria for each stage (PGCert, PGDip & MA) of the Maritime Security programme are as follows:

Applicants should hold a 2:2 or above degree (or equivalent international grade/qualification), from a recognised University, preferably in a social science subject (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Security Studies, International Relations, Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, etc.).

To be eligible for AP(E)L an applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years evidenced working experience in Maritime Security and be operating at the level of mid-management or above at the time of application, or have operated within a relevant role at the level of mid-management or above within 12 months of the time of application. An eligible applicant seeking AP(E)L will be assessed by a portfolio and admissions interview, alongside their capacity to complete the programme successfully.

For further information on eligibility and the application process please email study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk.

Relevant fields are shipping (industry, insurance, legal services, risk management); security (navies, coastguards, marine police, privately contracted); governmental and non-governmental organisations (foreign policy, international development, environmental, security policy, marine); maritime education (lecturers, teaching, instructors). Other roles and experience outside of these specific fields may be considered. Contact our team if you would like any further information on this.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Where applicants do not hold up-to-date IELTS certification, we will look at whether an applicant has previously studied and successfully completed a Higher Education qualification in English. Where an applicant does not hold such a qualification entry will be at the discretion of the Course Director and subject to a review of documentation and an interview. Please call or email our team if you have questions about this requirement.

Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student	Full time	Part time
UK	£10,600 (MA) \| £7,066 (PG Dip) \| £3,533 (PG Cert) per year	Not available
International	£16,950 (MA) \| £11,300 (PG Dip) \| £5,650 (PG Cert) (note this is a part-time course) per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Facilities

The MA is a blended learning course – a mixture of distance and face-to-face study – allowing you the flexibility to integrate your studies with work and personal commitments.

To see our campus, you can take a virtual tour.

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Talent Team

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Students’ Union.

Aula

Aula is our online learning platform, accessible from your phone, desktop or tablet. The design is based on existing social media platforms, so it feels familiar and easy to use.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Students’ Union.

Careers and opportunities

The MA prepares people to enter into or further a career in fields relating to Maritime Security, including:

Shipping
The security sector
Counter-terrorism
Law
Insurance
Development
International relations
Diplomacy.

The MA in Maritime Security is a pioneering course that offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain a deeper insight through both theoretical and practical perspectives of the present security challenges at sea. The course is currently taught by experts in the field of Maritime Security and is informed by their research.

The course seeks to create a learning community where ideas can be discussed amongst academic staff, alumni, and current students, lasting well beyond the timespan of the academic programme itself.

These are the benefits that the course can offer you and should thus enhance your career prospects in the following ways. If you are already a practitioner, you will be offered the opportunity to broaden your professional network, which should be useful to you in the workplace, whilst also gaining a formal accredited postgraduate qualification, which may be required for further progression in your career.

How to apply

UK Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk. For more information, contact the Postgraduate Programmes Team on +24 776 59 059.

Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply
International Students
Prior to submitting an application please ensure you have the following supporting documents ready to upload:
- Detailed personal statement
- Academic transcripts and award certificate of your first degree
- English Language Certificate e.g. IELTS
- Reference letter from a current/ former tutor and/ or line manager*
- CV
- Passport copy/scan
- APEL form
*This must be sent directly by the referee to study.ctpsr@coventry.ac.uk. For more information, contact the Postgraduate Programmes Team on +44 (0)24 776 59 059.

Part-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to apply
For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

(+44) 024 7765 2152

generalenquiries.io@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team.

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Maritime Security PgCert, PgDip, MA