MSc in International Shipping, Finance and Management

The Interdepartmental MSc in International Shipping, Finance, and Management (ISFM) comprises a unique combination of the three knowledge areas, which are essential for those employed or are interested to find work in the International Shipping industry. This is achieved through a modern, well-structured program, which combines the reading of international literature, laboratory classes, case studies, workshops, teaching, visits to companies, and an academic dissertation aimed at enhancing research skills. The academic members of staff involved in the program are producing highly pioneering research in their respective fields of study. Business executives are also invited as keynote speakers in the program. All the above are disseminated in the curricula of the course units to make up a distinct educational program.

The University is a highly acclaimed State institution both at the National and International levels, which offers officially recognized postgraduate programs. It offers excellent study copy volumes of scientific and business journals, newspapers and magazines, databases, and specialized software in its laboratories. This enables fast and efficient access to relevant information and data for students, which is vital in pursuing high standards of research and study. The School of Business Administration and the School of Economics are involved in the MSc program through their relevant Departments of Accounting and Finance and Management Science & Technology and of the International & European Economic Studies, respectively.

The Professors of the MSc in ISFM are Ph.D. holders. They have solid educational backgrounds, significant professional work experience, influential scientific publications, and presentations at international conferences. Their work has gained international recognition, has received teaching prizes from Greek and non-Greek universities, and is a member of important international associations and committees.

The Location of the MSc program, at the heart of one of the most important International Maritime Centers of the World, is deemed extremely important for the networking and employment opportunities it offers to its participants. More than 700 shipping companies are established here in Attica (around the port of Piraeus and in Athens and its suburbs), owning and managing a fleet of ships with the world’s highest tonnage capacity. Clients of these companies are also established here to serve them, including more than 1,000 shipbroking firms, financial institutions, international auditing, and accounting firms, insurance companies, classification societies, and shipping lawyers, amongst others. This enables direct access to market resources, such as industry scholarships which are offered to MSc students, student placements with companies in Greece and abroad, guest speakers from the industry, visits to companies and to the port of Piraeus and COSCO, and significant networking opportunities.

All the above constitute a distinguished learning environment, providing students of the MSc with top-quality relevant theoretical and practical knowledge, thus allowing graduates of the MSc in ISFM to be highly competitive in the job market and obtain immediate work placement following graduation.

In short, the MSc in International Shipping, Finance, and Management is a significant investment in the professional careers of its graduates.

The Director of the MSc ISFM, Prof. Manolis G. Kavussanos

Highlights

• Ranked 5th in the World by Eduniversal 2018 and 2019 Master's Rankings.
• Postgraduate studies in an International Maritime Center in Greece - with the highest ownership (in tonnage) in the world and over 700 shipping-related companies located here.
• The opportunity to study at AUEB, a top School for Economics and Business in Greece and internationally, is recognized for its quality education, research, and training.
• An academic program taught by world-class professors - all of them being Ph.D. holders, constantly reviewed to fit the need of the industry.
• A Master's program totally taught in English, preparing graduates for the workplace.
• Placements with companies in the maritime and financial sectors at the end of the taught part of the program.
• Regular business visits to companies related to shipping, finance, and management and many networking opportunities throughout the program.
• Executive guest speakers from the industry.
• Specialized workshops prepare students both for the Master's program and the workplace requirements.
• Lectures take place at AUEB's Center for Research and Postgraduate Studies and the new state-of-the-art AUEB premises inaugurated in May 2017 by the President of the Hellenic Republic.
• State-of-the-art laboratory (ISFM lab) with brand-new, latest-technology equipment, providing access to major databases, newspapers, periodicals, and academic journals related to shipping, finance, and management.
• Scholarships are available to suitable applicants.
• Academic excellence prizes are awarded to students at the end of the full and part-time programs.
• The program has won awards from organizations such as Equal Society for its social responsibility.
• Exemptions from exams of Professional Organisations such as HSA and ICS.
• Prestigious organization of International Scientific Conferences such as IAME 2019.
• Opportunities for Double Master's degrees for free at EDHEC Business School, and other international cooperations, such as with Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) and Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT).

Terms of Study

Class attendance in course units is compulsory. Students who are absent for more than 1/3 of the contact hours in a course unit will fail it and must attend it the next time it is offered.

Course units are assessed through written and/or oral examinations and/or assignments. For a course unit to be examined through an oral examination and/or assignment only requires approval by the Special Interdepartmental Committee.

The final mark of each course unit is determined by its instructor and may include individual and/or team assignments.

Students that fail in more than two-course units per semester are considered to have failed overall and are required to leave the Program.

The submission deadline for the MSc Theses is October 31st of the academic year following the initial registration.

Admissions Criteria / Requirements

• A recognized University degree. Non-Greek university degrees must be validated by the Hellenic NARIC (National Academic Recognition and Information Centre, A.O.A.T.A.fl.) organization
• University degree grade
• Grades received in undergraduate course units related to the course units of the MSc ISFM
• Undergraduate thesis, where applicable
• English language certification verifying very good command of the language: level Cl, as recognized by ASEP and as determined amongst others by a TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL score or Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency
• Two academic reference letters for full-time program applicants / Two academic or professional reference letters for part-time program applicants
• Work experience, for applicants in the part-time program
• Personal interview

Application Process

The Program has a rolling admissions procedure, which commences in January, with multiple deadlines every year.

Places available are limited, so prospective students are advised to submit their applications early.

Required Documents

1. A printed version of the application form was submitted online.
2. Copies of all University Degrees / Diplomas - Recognition by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition Information Centre is required.
3. Official transcripts of grades received (with a certified translation in English or in Greek where applicable).
4. CV in English.
5. Two academic recommendation letters. Part-time applicants only may also submit professional recommendation letters as well as academic ones
6. Proof of knowledge of the English language (at least C1 level), as determined by a TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS score, or the Cambridge or Michigan Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). Native speakers as well as candidates having conducted their undergraduate studies in English are exempt from the above-mentioned prerequisite.
7. Personal statement of approximately 500 words, in English
8. Proof of employment record, if any – is required for part-time applicants
9. One recent passport-size photograph.

The Admissions Committee, in making a decision to offer a position to a candidate, ranks the applicants according to the above quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Tuition Fees

The Full-time Program costs 7,600€, while the Part-time Program 7,800€. There is some availability of need-based financial aid in the form of tuition exemption, according to Law 4485/2017, for both full-time and part-time students. Tuition fees are paid in installments according to the Interdepartmental Committee's relative decisions.

Scholarships & Academic Performance Awards

Tuition fee scholarships are offered to suitable candidates in the MSc Program based on merit or/and social and economic criteria.

Companies-foundations-institutions that have offered/are offering scholarships to the program include Aegean Baltic Bank, Marmaras Navigation, Delta Tankers, Propondis Foundation, Chartworld, and the MSc in ISFM through Equal Society.

Academic excellence awards worth at least 6.000 euros are also offered to top-performing students at the end of the full and part-time programs, based on performance within the MSc.

Graduates Employment Statistics