MSc, MSc (240) International Transport, Trade and Logistics

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September, January
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
1 year FullTime, 2 years FullTime
Campus:
City
99% of graduates are in full-time work within a year
Study abroad at 100+ partner universities worldwide
2,000+ PCs and loan laptops on campus

About this course

Gain advanced logistics knowledge and management skills with this MSc in International Transport, Trade and Logistics at Liverpool John Moores University.

  • Study at one of the UK's leading Maritime higher education providers
  • After graduating, enjoy exemptions from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers chartered membership examinations
  • Follow a curriculum informed by world-leading research plus links with the regional Mersey Maritime cluster, and the UK-wide maritime industry
  • Look forward to excellent career opportunities with logistics companies, transport companies, goods producers and suppliers, governmental bodies and consultants
  • Benefit from almost 125 years of expertise in delivering professional courses for the maritime industry
  • Access an international centre of excellence in maritime education, professional training and applied research

International trade is taking on even greater importance with the development of burgeoning economies within the manufacturing sector. Global trade is reliant on long distance modes of transport to connect economies with final markets and you will gain specialist knowledge of maritime transport from this programme.

This dynamic course will provide you with the tools to demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge relating to International Transport, Trade and Logistics.

You'll gain essential critical awareness of factors that influence business, financial and management strategies in the field, including markets, customers, finance, people, operations and ICT.

Using qualitative and quantitative methods, you'll learn how to find solutions to industry- related issues. You'll conduct research, using research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and reporting techniques to develop systems and outcomes.

This programme is also available as a 2 year (240 credit) option. This consists of the standard 120 credits of taught modules plus 60 credits of MSc project, accompanied by an additional 60 credits. This can be taken as either a single semester group design project (a current module) or a sandwich placement year of 30 weeks (a current module).

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Research Methods
10 credits

The aims of this module are to develop the students’ ability to formulate a coherent and well- designed research project and associated proposal. The module also aims to develop the skills required to critically analyse and evaluate research findings and the effective presentation of the results.

Project Management
10 credits

The central theme of this module is the management of projects using known standards and methodologies. It aims to develop a sound understanding of the fundamental concepts of managing projects.  You are given the opportunity to develop your skills in a practical and theoretical context.  

International Trade and Global Transport Systems
20 credits

This module will help you develop an understanding of the key influences affecting the international trade market, with particular reference to the impact they have on global logistics flows, and an insight into freight transport operations on an international scale, with particular reference to the role of intermodality, the law and practice in relation to export sales and the movement of goods.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
20 credits

This module provides an insight into the principles of logistics and supply chain management with particular reference to its application in the global business environment.

Optional Modules

MSc Project
60 credits

This module requires you to refine your aims, objectives and programme of work, and undertake research work with academic supervision. You will prepare a dissertation that demonstrates the appropriate application of research techniques in a suitable subject area at postgraduate level.

Maritime Economics and Management
20 credits

The module is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the topics including chartering, finance, economics, management, and operational considerations, which a shipping executive could deal with on a routine basis.

Ship Operations and Management
10 credits

This module is designed to introduce students without a maritime background to the fundamentals of ship design and construction, emphasizing the suitability of various ship types for different cargoes and trades. It offers essential subject knowledge as a foundation for more advanced modules in the program related to maritime economics, law, and the intricate aspects of goods carriage by sea.

Industrial Consultancy Project
60 credits

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to work on an industrial driven project for an external (Industry) or internal (University) client to develop a solution to an open-ended problem presented by the client. It will require you to investigate a complex  industry relevant work based problem, demonstrate initiative, and work together with the client to develop a design specification and project plan. You will select appropriate engineering and/or management processes and techniques to produce a solution which meets the specification.

Operations Research
20 credits

This module introduces a set of fundamental techniques and tools to assist engineers and managers in making better decisions on real world management/business problems.

Port Management
20 credits

This module provides students with an overview of the global port industry and the evolving role of ports. Students will gain appreciation of the diverse functions of port authorities and examine the public interests and commercial factors that influence the administration of ports at national level, and governance of ports at the corporate level. This module examines a range of contemporary issues in the field of maritime and port security through the analysis of a series of relevant case studies. Students are introduced to some of the overarching legislation and are able to appraise its effectiveness.

Law and Marine Insurance
20 credits

This module introduces students to core principles of law with ‘wet’ maritime law, serving as an example of how civil and criminal liabilities can arise from the marine business. Having considered these liabilities, examination is made of established principles of the Marine Insurance. Analysis of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 and the implications of the Insurance Act 2015 reforms are made using case law developments. The options for alternative policy terms available via the Institute Clauses are also reviewed.

Chartering and Carriage of Goods Law
20 credits

This module develops students understanding of legal issues through an applied examination of carriage of goods and export sales

Professional and Leadership Skills
10 credits

This module will help you to develop an awareness of the legal and ethical framework surrounding the activities of a professional engineer. You will also gain an awareness of the Emotional Competence Framework for a professional engineer. This will help you to develop a specific set of personal and social competency skills appropriate for a professional engineer, such as adaptability, creativity diversification, leveraging diversity, political awareness, leadership and team capabilities.

Your Learning Experience

An insight into teaching on your course

Teaching methods

You will build your knowledge on this course through lectures and directed student-centred learning including case studies.

Applied learning

You will gain essential critical awareness of factors that influence business, financial and management strategies in the field, including markets, customers, finance, people, operations and ICT.

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Where you will study

What you can expect from your School

The Department of Maritime and Mechanical Enginering is located in the Byrom Street site of LJMUs City Campus. In addition to specialist engineering facilities, Byrom Street has high quality lecture theatres, meeting and seminar rooms plus a large cafe and social spaces. The Avril Robarts Library is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.

 

Course tutors

Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

The extensive range of skills provided by this MSc degree in International Transport, Trade and Logistics will enable you to move into the management of goods flow on a global scale. Potential employers include: logistics companies, transport companies involved with international trade, goods producers and suppliers, governmental bodies and consultants.

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees:

Home fee:
£9,840

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

International fee:
£18,250
Placement year international:
£3,830

International Scholarships and payment plans

Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.

Scholarships

LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.

All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.

Deposit

All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.

For more information view our deposit page.

Tuition Fee Payment Plan

After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.

All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.

Early Bird Tuition Fee discount

We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.

To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage

Entry requirements

You will need:

Qualification requirements

Undergraduate degree

  • a minimum 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject

Alternative qualifications considered

  • A level 5 qualification and suitable work experience

or

  • Applicants with an unclassified degree and significant relevant industrial experience may be considered.

or

  • Other qualifications considered by the course team to be of similar academic level to the above.

or

  • A non-UK equivalent qualification

Further information

  • Extra Requirements
  • RPL

    • RPL is accepted on this programme

International requirements

IELTS

  • IELTS English language requirement: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

Your student experience

There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student through Unibuddy for insights and advice on university life, courses, and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.

Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.