MSc in International Trade and Shipping Management

For centuries, international shipping has been critical to the development of world trade. The inter-relationships between falling transportation costs, economic growth and globalisation are in continual motion as supply chain networks ceaselessly evolve. These elements: shipping, trading patterns and organization are the fundamentals of the programme while the legal, financial, and managerial aspects of trade and transport form the superstructure.

The course delivers a comprehensive integrated overview of the core subjects essential to a thorough understanding of international trade and transport. Specifically, the course aims to develop the generic business skills required by managers working in the area of international trade and maritime business; develop critical analytical skills and apply them to the challenges they continually meet.

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme prepares students as future professionals who can function effectively in the complex business environment of the global marketplace.  The diversity of supporting activities within the highly dynamic trade and maritime industry and its various sectors, consisting of many hundreds of large, medium and small firms, makes this choice possible.  Graduates of this programme will have a variety of career options, including import and export business, ship management, commercial management, insurance, freight forwarding, transportation and logistics, port agency, trade and ship finance, maritime regulation as well as a variety of other administrative posts in the private and public sectors.

The specific objectives of the MSc in International Trade and Shipping Management are that the students:

• have the intellectual skills necessary to contribute to developing strategies for the direction of international transport and trade;
• become familiar with the main theories and practices of international shipping, transport and trade;
• can describe and critically analyse the structures and institutions of managing and organizing sea transport;
• examine the financial risks and opportunities of the trade and transport business environment;
• be able to grasp the import of the legal, economic and regulatory institutions and practices of trade and transport.

Students of the program are also offered the opportunity to focus on an elective group of subjects of their choice, and obtain a ‘concentration’ in one of three areas:

• COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AND TRADE PRACTICES
  Global Trade Practices
  Commercial Management of Ships
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  Banking and Shipping Finance
  Economics of Sea Transport and International Trade
• OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT
  Commodity Trading and Risk Management
  Oil and Gas Management

Significant recent developments in the business sectors in Cyprus make both postgraduate Programmes of studies especially relevant. The island is considered to be one of the world’s leading maritime centres and is fast becoming a new European hub for imports and re-exports activities linking Europe with the Far East in ways previously unexplored. At the same time the energy sector in Cyprus is also developing rapidly.

There is a variety of career options upon completion of any of these two Master’s Degree Programmes including import and export business, ship owning and ship management, chartering, commercial legal services and consultancy, banking and finance, oil and gas trading and management, insurance, freight forwarding, transportation and logistics, port management, shipping agency, as well as a variety of posts in the public administration and government.

Graduates of these Programmes will be positioned favourably in the local and international market for the newly created employment opportunities. They will be able to undertake managerial, legal and executive responsibilities. Those already in employment are expected to enhance their career prospects and be prepared to face the challenges of a more demanding position.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able:

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the structures, processes and institutional practices of trade and shipping in the global market place
• Examine the financial risks and opportunities of trade and transport business
• Grasp the importance of the legal, economic and regulatory institutions
• Develop, implement, and promote policies and programmes relevant to the challenges of international trade and shipping management
• Acquire and apply knowledge and critical skills necessary to progress to study for a research degree (MPhil, PhD etc.)

Frederick University academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters. The calendar is arranged so that students may start classes either during the last week of September or the first week of February. Candidates may submit an application for admission in any of the semesters. Due to the fact that formalities for the issue of an entry visa take at least 6 weeks, candidates are urged to file an application at least 8 weeks prior to the expected date of enrolment. Students are expected to be on campus prior to the beginning of the intended semester/session. In response to arising need, courses could be provided within the summer period.

Admission Requirements

All perspective candidates are admitted to the MA program if they satisfy the following criteria:

• Academic Requirement: A good undergraduate degree from a recognised university or an equivalent international qualification or an acceptable professional qualification. Candidates’ specific minimum academic requirements for admittance to the program are:
  • Undergraduate degree with a business orientation or
  • Undergraduate degree in any other area – not business oriented-, provided the candidate has substantial experience in a managerial post within a business environment or
  • A professional qualification such as Membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Master Mariner’s or Chief Engineer’s Certificate of Competency. This will only apply where the candidate has satisfactory business experience
• English Language Requirement: If you are studying or have completed your entire degree in a non- English speaking university, you must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of English language. Suitable qualifications may include:
  • TOEFL, IELTS, GCSE, IGCSE, Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or equivalent) or
  • High school leaving certificate from a High School where the language of instruction is English or
  • Α pass (50%) at the English Placement Test of our University.

A. Nationals of EU countries
Candidates who are nationals of EU countries can enter Cyprus as visitors. On arrival at Frederick University they must submit to the Admission Office the following:

• A fully completed application form.
• An application fee of Euro 25 (non-refundable).
• Attested (certified true) copies of their academic qualifications.
• Evidence of proficiency in English, (if available).
• A photocopy of their passport. The passport should be valid for at least one year from the date of their arrival to Cyprus.
• A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.

Furthermore, they must pay the registration fee, the semester tuition fees, and register for subjects. Next they must apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. The application to the Migration Department must be supported by evidence that they have paid their tuition fees for the semester, have enough funds for their initial living expenses and have obtained local health insurance coverage.

B. Applicants from non EU countries
International Students from non EU countries need to have a valid student visa in order to be allowed to enter Cyprus. The issue of an entry visa takes about 6 weeks from the date of the submission of the application. It is therefore recommended that candidates submit their application at least 8 weeks before the beginning of the semester. Cyprus Migration Department requirements in respect of the issue of a student visa, which from time to time may be modified, are available to candidates in a separate document.

How to apply?

As part of the application you will need to submit the following supporting documents:

1. Full Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Official transcripts of all degrees to date (including any not yet completed):  Please ensure that you provide full detailed copies of your transcripts outlining all the modules you have studied and marks achieved.
3. Personal Statement: A short written statement not more than 500 words outlining your suitability to the programme and your reasons for applying. You may highlight your professional and research interests and any relevant work experience.
4. Two academic references or one academic and one professional where is applicable. You can provide us the names and contacts (telephone and email addresses) for your referees and they will be contacted directly by our admission office.
5. Any other supporting documents: copies of certificates of relevant examinations such as language test results, GMAT results, etc.

Once the Conditional Acceptance Letter is issued by the University, the prospective student is directed
by an Admissions Officer to send to the University several documents by email and then by courier.
The documents are as follows:
1. Original attested passport copy must be valid for 2 years
2. Original attested copy of High School Leaving Certificate and mark sheets
3. Original attested Police Clearance Certificate must be valid for 6 months
4. Original attested bank letter showing that the student’s sponsor has the financial ability to
support tuition fees and leaving expenses must be valid for 6 months
5. Original attested bank statement which clearly shows the minimum amount of €7,000 in the
sponsor’s account must be valid for 1 month
6. Original attested chest X-ray report for Tuberculosis must be valid for 4 months
7. Original attested blood test results for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C must be valid for 4
months
8. Attested document of parental consent for the student’s proposed stay in Cyprus and its
official translation in Greek or English– only for applicants below the age of 18 years
(minors).
9. Attested reports of medical tests showing that they are not suffering from Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and a chest X-ray report.
10. A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of
origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct
certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the
semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing
and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.
11. Attested letter from a bank in the country of origin or residence stating that the student or
his/her parent (s) – full names to be mentioned – have the financial capability to cover the
cost of living and studying in Cyprus, and the student’s repatriation cost, as well as recent
bank statement showing a balance of at least €7000 (seven thousand Euro).

It is estimated that, on average, a student spends about 600 Euro per month for private accommodation, utilities, food and transportation. Of course, a budget is a very personal thing, depending on one’s preferences.

Full time students from non EU countries are entitled to seek employment of 20 hours per week during the study period, provided that the employment hours will not coincide with their study hours at the University, or 38 hours per week during their holidays. The right to employment starts after the completion of six months study and residence in Cyprus. 

Scholarships aim is to support young people with capabilities to distinguish and to contribute to the development and social progress.

The university offers full and partial scholarships to incoming students based on the academic merit of the high school performance. The University also has in place a scholarship scheme for continuing students which reduces tuition fees based on the GPA achieved by the student. The percentage of reduction is related to the GPA achieved.

Additionally, Frederick University has a broad range of scholarships to athletes.