Overview
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.
Our postgraduate programmes in Maritime Security (PG Cert, PG Dip, MA) are shaped by current research-active staff and real-world events. Delivered in a friendly and supportive learning environment, these highly interactive programmes provide you with the opportunity to understand and analyse current issues and should aim to develop your skills in response.
“This MA – a pioneering programme of study focusing on some of the most pressing and critical challenges in the dynamic field of Maritime Security. Our Centre is at the forefront of this research agenda, using teaching to enhance the knowledge and actions of practitioners around the world.”
Dr Robert McCabe, Current Course Director, MA Maritime Security
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. 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*))
*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.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 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.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityWhat our students say...
The MA in Maritime Security at CTPSR is at the forefront of research in this complex sector. My experience of the MA with Coventry was a very rewarding year and I am delighted to highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to develop their knowledge and enhance their career prospects in this specialised field.
Course information
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.
Our postgraduate programmes in Maritime Security (PG Cert, PG Dip, MA) are shaped by our current research-active staff and real-world events. Delivered in a friendly and supportive learning environment, these unique, highly interactive programmes allow you to understand and analyse current issues and develop your skills in response.
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).
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).
- Fast-Track MA (APEL) Maritime Security (16 months by blended/distance-learning).
“This MA is the only one of its kind in the world – a pioneering programme of study focusing on some of the most pressing and critical challenges in the dynamic field of Maritime Security. Our Centre is at the forefront of this research agenda, using teaching to enhance the knowledge and actions of practitioners around the world.”
Dr Robert McCabe, Current Course Director, MA Maritime Security
Course specification
Download
Modules
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.
In more detail...
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 for our blend of distance and face-to-face study. 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.
- You can complete an MA in 16 months with accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). For those with 5 years+ working experience in a relevant field, you could gain one-third of your Master’s degree credits in recognition of what you’ve already achieved, through our APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) route.
- Complete a Postgraduate Certificate in 8 months or a Postgraduate Diploma in 16 months. Our course can be studied at Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Level, with the opportunity to stop, pause or progress between stages. Whilst most complete a full Master’s degree with us, many students choose to pause after the first or second stage, graduating and continuing their careers with ‘PGCert’ or ‘PGDip’ after their name.
- Study wherever you are, whilst working. We provide the flexibility of studying online and through short residential workshops where you can have the opportunity to meet, network and be taught with peers in a diverse range of roles around the world. Often the biggest barrier to taking a Master’s degree is balancing it with your employment – our blended-learning, part-time courses are designed for busy professionals, which should allow you to work and study.
- An international network of professionals. Access to a network of practitioners currently working in roles related to peacebuilding internationally, as well as a large team of current researchers and practitioners working in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations.
- A distinctive, international course led by world-leading experts. A pioneering programme of study delivered by current active international researchers. Our courses aim to be global, from the content of the programme and the staff leading them, to the diverse backgrounds of our participants.
- Inspired by our city. Our courses are founded in and inspired by the heritage of Coventry, the UK’s City of Peace and Reconciliation. Further, our courses are developed by Coventry University, ranked 15th in the Guardian’s University Guide (2020) and Times Modern University of the Year 2014, 2015 and 2016.
- Practice-focused. A blend of academic knowledge and practical skills aims to enhance your practice and further your career.
Our blended learning Maritime Security courses combine residential workshops in Coventry and interactive online learning, making them ideal for people who need to integrate their studies with family or work commitments.
Online modules are provided through the virtual learning environment (Moodle) to facilitate communication between staff and students, and between students. You will have access to Coventry University’s library, including its digital resources and library support for distance learners.
Extensive coursework feedback and support from the programme team will be provided. CTPSR also has PGT (Postgraduate Teaching) Ambassadors who provide more general support.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework, tests, essays and project work. They may also include exams, individual assignment or work group elements.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
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.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
International experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say...
I found the programme to be very well-tailored and delivered for the students with respect to widening their scope and knowledge on the maritime domain.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
My experience of the MA with Coventry was a very rewarding year and I am delighted to highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to develop their knowledge and enhance their career prospects in this specialised field.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say...
The MA in Maritime Security at CTPSR is at the forefront of research in this complex sector. My experience of the MA with Coventry was a very rewarding year and I am delighted to highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to develop their knowledge and enhance their career prospects in this specialised field.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
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 programme is also evolving alongside these challenges and our teaching reflects that.
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 MA in Maritime Security 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.
If you are interested in Maritime Security, this course equips you with the skills commonly needed to work for a broad range of organisations, including international non-government organisations, multinational government organisations like the United Nations, regional communities such as the European Union or the Economic Community of West African states, the shipping industry, oil and gas, think tanks and academia.
What our students say...
I found the programme to be very well-tailored and delivered for the students with respect to widening their scope and knowledge on the maritime domain.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. 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.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.