Sept 2025 Entry
2 years
46 (40 academic credits and 6 training credits)
Scholarship Form Submission
Candidates are required to submit an admission application (44087-ISS) online together with the Scholarship form.
Other Self-Financed Programme
For details on applying to the MSc programme in International Shipping and Transport Logistics (Mixed-mode) (44087-IFM/IPM) (34 credits), please click here.
Please submit applications for 44087-IFM/IPM and 44087-ISS individually, as applications for these two programmes are processed separately. The application fee is non-transferable.
Note to Applicants
Please complete all of the relevant fields and enclose all necessary documents. Incomplete applications cannot be processed promptly.
What's New
Programme Aims
This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to introduce modern, cost-effective reforms into the shipping, transport and logistics industries.
Features
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Curriculum designed in consultation with industry leaders and prospective employers.
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Academic theory balanced with professional practice.
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Multidisciplinary knowledge integrated with specialist expertise.
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Diverse career paths for graduates.
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Graduates are granted exemptions from professional examinations.
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Postgraduate Diploma offered as an intermediate exit.
Characteristics
The programme embodies a sound balance between academic theory and professional practice. The combination of Compulsory Subjects with a choice of Electives plus a mandatory internship reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the business and the diversity of the career paths that graduates can pursue.
Within 3 calendar months of successfully completing the programme, scholarship recipients must commit to working full time in the Hong Kong maritime industry for no fewer than 12 consecutive calendar months.
Graduates are granted full exemption from the Qualifying Examination of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong.
Graduates of the MSc in International Shipping and Transport Logistics programme are granted exemption from the following subject by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers:
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Introduction to Shipping
Programme Structure (Subject to review)
Scholarship recipients receive core knowledge that is essential in the shipping, transport and logistics industries and in-depth knowledge of selected specialised areas in line with their needs and aspirations. An array of Elective Subjects is available that allow scholarship recipients to specialise in areas that would normally be impossible to cover in depth within the time constraints of the first degree.
Students must complete 40 academic credits (2 Compulsory Subjects, 4 International Shipping Core Subjects, 3 Restricted Elective Subjects and 5 Free Elective Subjects) and 6 training credits (240-hour Maritime Industry Internship); exemptions may be granted to local scholarship recipients with relevant internship/work experience. In terms of Free Elective Subjects, students can opt for a 6-credit Project plus 3 Free Electives.
Core Areas of Study
The following is a summary of the core areas of study. Detailed information will be provided upon registration.
Compulsory Subject+
(2 subjects – 4 credits)
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Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business (1 credit)
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International Logistics Systems, Operations and Management
International Shipping Core Subjects+
(4 subjects – 12 credits)
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Organisational Management in Shipping and Logistics
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Port Policy and Management
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Ship Chartering Strategies
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Liner Shipping Management
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Strategic Management for International Shipping
Restricted Elective Subjects+
(3 subjects – 9 credits)
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Choose at least one subject from the focus on Shipping Economics and Finance:
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Shipping Economics and Markets
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Finance for Shipping and Logistics
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Choose at least one subject from the focus on Shipping Law and Insurance:
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Law and Practice in Marine Insurance
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Shipping Law
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Choose at least one subject from the focus on International logistics:
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Air Transport Logistics and Management
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Supply Chain Management
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Note: Students may take more than 3 Restricted Elective Subjects. The additional subjects will be counted as Free Elective Subjects.
Free Elective Subjects+
(Any 5 subjects – 15 credits)
Focus on International Shipping:
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Maritime Logistics
Focus on Shipping Economics and Finance:
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Accounting for Managers
Focus on Shipping Law and Insurance:
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Admiralty Law
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Contract Management
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Maritime Arbitration Law
Focus on International Logistics (Air Logistics Management):
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Intermodal Transport Management
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Air Transport Regulatory Policy
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Airline Strategic Management
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Aviation Marketing
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Aviation Safety Management
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Airport Business Management
Others:
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Transport Logistics in China
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Project Management
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Risk Management in Operations
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Statistics for Management
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Managing Operations Systems
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Enterprise Resource Planning
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Applications of Decision-Making Models
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Strategies and Technologies in Warehousing Management
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Information Systems for Supply Chain Management
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Coding for Management with Python
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Project (6 credits)
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Research Methods
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E-Commerce
A tuition fee is not required for the 1-credit subject "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business". Each subject is worth 3 credits, and the Project is worth 6 credits.
Mandatory Training Subject (6 credits)
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Maritime Industry Internship
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
+ Offerings are subject to class quota availability.
46 (40 academic credits and 6 training credits)
Programme Director
Dr YANG Dong
PhD
Local Applicants
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A Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
Chinese Mainland and Overseas Applicants
- A Bachelor's degree in International Shipping or Maritime Studies or other relevant disciplines with:
i) English is the medium of instruction;
OR
ii) English is not the medium of instruction; in this case, applicants are also required to meet one of the following requirements:- an IELTS Academic Test score of at least 6; or
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a TOEFL Internet-based test score of at least 80, including a score of at least 20 in the Test of Written English; or
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a TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 550, including a score of at least 4.5 in the Test of Written English.
For further information:
Tel: (852) 2766 4065
Email: mscistl.lms@polyu.edu.hk
For academic matters, please contact:
Prof. Stephen LI, Deputy Programme Director (tel: (852) 2766 5009; email: stephen.yk.li@polyu.edu.hk);
or Dr YANG Dong, Programme Director (tel: (852) 2766 7413; email: dong.yang@polyu.edu.hk).
Interview
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Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend admission interviews.
Class Arrangement
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Subjects are offered in a variety of modes, including on weekday evenings, during the daytime and at weekends.
Conditions of Scholarship
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Scholarship recipients in breach of any of the following conditions must refund the scholarship amount received in full to the Scholarship Scheme:
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recipients are not allowed to concurrently hold any other local merit-based incentive while enrolled in the programme;
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recipients are required to complete the programme, covering 40 academic credits and 6 training credits of the Maritime Industry Internship (exemptions may be granted to local scholarship recipients with relevant internship/work experience); and
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within 3 calendar months of successful completion of the programme, recipients must commit to working full time in the Hong Kong maritime industry for no fewer than 12 consecutive calendar months.
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- Each scholarship recipient is required to sign an undertaking that will form a contract between the recipient and the Scholarship Scheme.
Student visa and other information for non-local students
- Non-local students must obtain a valid student visa issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR before being allowed to register or commence study with PolyU. Please refer to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/living-in-hong-kong/student-visa/.
- For information on living costs and related expenses in Hong Kong, please refer to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/living-in-hong-kong/off-campus-accommodation-information/.
6 for local students
12 for non-local students
Please click here to download.
Covered by The Hong Kong Maritime and Logistics Scholarship Scheme
I am honoured to have been chosen by Dr Yang Dong to share my experiences as a graduate of the MSc ISTL programme. My time in this programme has been incredibly rewarding, not only because of the professional shipping knowledge I acquired but also because of the invaluable friendships I formed along the way. The programme provided a rigorous and comprehensive education that deepened my understanding of the maritime industry and equipped me with the skills I need for a successful career.
Equally important, the programme fostered a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for shipping. The camaraderie and mutual support among my peers greatly enhanced my learning experience. We collaborated on projects, shared insights and supported each other throughout the challenges of our studies. These friendships have continued beyond graduation, creating a network of professionals that I can rely on throughout my career.
I am grateful for the opportunities and connections that the MSc ISTL programme has provided, and I am excited to see how my fellow graduates and I will contribute to the future of the maritime industry.
During my time in this programme, I have been fortunate to encounter many inspiring mentors and friends. The vibrant shipping environment in Hong Kong has offered me invaluable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, which has significantly enhanced my personal skills. My ambition to join the maritime industry has aligned perfectly with the career aspirations that I developed during the programme. I am deeply grateful for the chance to pursue my dream, and I look forward to contributing to the industry with enthusiasm and dedication.
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