Improve your knowledge and skills on the possibilities and trends of the digitalisation in the maritime sector and work in a digitising environment, planning sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies. Apply for the one-year study programme Maritime Digital Solutions!

During studies, students will have an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of programming, maritime business management and maritime environmental sustainability. The aim is to give students an understanding of maritime transport cargo flows, shipping markets and strategies of maritime companies. The program includes information technology courses on different levels as well as elective courses, from which students can choose the appropriate ones according to their educational background and professional experience.

The interdisciplinary study of maritime and information technology provides an understanding of the digitalisation in maritime sector, but also the economic and environmental challenges of the maritime sector where processes could be improved with the help of information technology. In addition, the students are given an opportunity to continue their studies on doctoral level where they could further study and develop some topics in depth.

Check out the Maritime Digital Solutions curriculum here

Applying for Maritime Digital Solutions Programme
The admission test for Maritime Digital Solutions Programme consists of two parts:
1.    Motivation letter and master's thesis proposal (0-10p);
2.    Interview (0-10p).

The motivation letter and master's thesis proposal must be submitted in English (and be added to the DreamApply application).
The purpose of the motivation letter and the master’s thesis proposal is to assess the candidate's motivation and suitability for master's studies in the curriculum of Maritime Digital Solutions. It is possible to get a maximum of 10 points both for the motivation letter and the thesis proposal.

I.    First part
The motivation letter must include the candidate’s:
1.    introduction regarding the candidate's educational and professional background;
2.    readiness to acquire professional competences and a description of the candidate’s expectations for master’s studies;
3.    a professional work vision (e.g., how they see the labour market situation in relation to the field and their own possible roles in it, what competences are required to operate in the field from a master’s degree graduate, how will the Maritime Digital Solutions programme they are applying for will support their professional profile).
4.    The length of the motivation letter is recommended to be one page.

The candidate's master thesis proposal should outline the topics of interest to the candidate in the field of maritime digitalisation. In addition, it should provide information regarding the problem the candidate is going to solve during the master's research; why solving the problem is important, and who and how could benefit from it. To provide information about these aspects, please answer the questions below:
1.    Student’s name
2.    Master’s thesis topic or heading 
3.    Research area/field
4.    Supervisor/ planned supervisor (if the student plans to have a second supervisor outside the university, then their position and/or degree)
5.    The aim of the thesis / problems/questions of the thesis (why is it necessary to study this topic? What can be done with the results? Why/for whom is the study necessary?)
6.    Description of the master’s thesis (including the planned research method - how the data is collected and analysed, literature examples, the preliminary structure of the thesis and a timetable that reflects the deadline for the final version in April).

Evaluation criteria for the motivation letter and the master's thesis proposal.
The student candidate:
1.    explains their desire to study and their interest in the specialty (15%);
2.    positively evaluates their learning motivation to complete the curriculum in nominal study time (35%);
3.    analyses the necessity of studies in their professional development and career (35%);
4.    presents a vision of their future after completing the curriculum (15%).

II.    Second part
An interview - based on the master’s thesis proposal and motivation letter. It is possible to get a maximum of 10 points for the interview. A candidate who does not participate in the interview will receive 0 points. A prerequisite for admission to the interview is a positive result for the motivation letter and master's thesis proposal.
The purpose of the interview is to identify the candidate’s:
1.    readiness for master's studies based on the master’s thesis proposal;
2.    learning motivation based on the motivation letter;
3.    the candidate's motivation to complete the curriculum;
4.    the necessity of the studies regarding the candidate’s professional development and career.

Evaluation criteria for the interview.
A positive result is achieved if:
1.    the candidate can clearly justify the motivation to study in the field of Maritime Digital Solutions and to research current topics in the field;
2.    the candidate has a good overall understanding of the content and emphasis of the curriculum;
3.    the candidate generally understands the maritime field and its connections with other fields, such as transport, economy, and environment;
4.    the candidate can easily talk about the topics of their motivation letter or master's thesis proposal;
5.    the candidate demonstrates good communication skills on professional topics (in English).

The interview is evaluated negatively if:
1.    the candidate is not able to justify their motivation to study in the field of Maritime Digital Solutions or to research current topics in the field;
2.   the candidate does not understand the content of the curriculum;
3.    the candidate does not understand the maritime field and its connection with other areas, such as transport, economy, or environmental protection;
4.    the candidate is not able to discuss on the topics of their motivation letter or master's thesis proposal;
5.    the candidate has a significant language barrier (English) to attend courses or communicate on professional topics.

Graduates of the programme are ready to work in a digitising maritime environment, plan sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies, can develop systems and processes based on data analysis and manage a team in a changing, international environment. Since the maritime field is international, graduates can start working all over the world on shore, at port, and other maritime sector companies. There is also the opportunity to work in the public sector as a field developer and coordinator. In addition, universities are an important labour market for continuing studies on doctoral level, including project research and teaching work.