MLA College

BSc Sustainable Maritime Operations

MLA College Ltd delivers innovative distance e-learning courses for the global marine industry. Their range of education and training products include short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in subjects including hydrography, meteorology, oceanography and sustainable maritime operations.
Their award-winning Total Learning Package allows students to study University of Plymouth approved programmes whilst remaining in their own jobs and learning at their own pace.
MLA College Ltd is a young, ambitious organisation with a commitment to the highest-quality education and professional development. It is a privately-owned company limited by shares. The shareholders are BAU Global and IMarEST.
Putting students first, MLA College Ltd has a particular focus on distance and blended learning and strives to continue to develop its expertise in the use of technology to enhance student learning.
Key features

    • Equip yourself with the relevant management skills for working in the modern global maritime world.
    • Learn the very latest methods, concepts, and theories to enable you to understand and analyse, in a multidisciplinary way, the complexities of the 21st century maritime and shipping world.
    • Progress rapidly through your studies and gain the tools to become a leader in all areas of maritime operations.
    • We focus on the interconnectedness of global maritime supply chains, and place strong emphasis on methodology and analytical skill development.
    • Gain the tools, ability and confidence to make decisions with managerial style and determination, under complex and ever changing conditions in the global marine and maritime economic environment.
    • Flexible distance e-learning designed with seafaring and offshore students in mind.
    • Delivered by leading academics and industry experts
    • Benefit from interactive, dynamic, portable and highly relevant course content tailored for online learning - we use videos, audio, interactive tests and quizzes.
    • Specifically designed for delivery both online and offline; stream or download lectures to watch when you don't have an internet connection.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • Maritime Industry in the 21st Century (MLA601)

      This module introduces students to the advanced topics of study relevant to the modern maritime industry. Equipping students with a broad underpinning of the challenges and current affairs relevant to the industry, and their deeper exploration through relevant academic research. It serves to facilitate in-depth study of concepts associated with the maritime environment, sustainable design, shipping industry business practice and development. It also exposes students to the question the wider role of the maritime industry, and how it interacts with other industry sectors i.e. logistics and supply chain management functions.

    • MetOcean Processes and Impacts (MLA602)

      MetOcean Processes and Impacts gives students a balanced insight into the earths meteorological and oceanographic processes, how they affect the marine environment and are in turn changed by maritime business activity and development. Having gained an understanding of the maritime environment, students examine the requirement for marine environmental protection, how this is achieved and managed across the globe, and developments in offshore renewable energy

    Optional modules

    • Maritime Regulation and Governance (MLA603)

      This module gives students opportunity to investigate in detail, aspects of the maritime business world; its regulation, organisation, behaviour and management. Students build their knowledge and understanding of the economic and financial driving forces, maritime commercial frameworks, governance, regulation and legislation.

    • Maritime Operations (MLA604)

      This module brings together marine industry economic, ethical and environmental drivers to build understanding of the need for sustainable operations, now and in the future. Investigations into areas such as green ship technology and ballast water may be undertaken, building knowledge and understanding such that the student is able to make effective judgements balancing economic and ethical aspects in the modern, digital maritime business environment.

  • Year 2

  • Optional modules

    • MetOcean Processes and Impacts (MLA602)

      MetOcean Processes and Impacts gives students a balanced insight into the earths meteorological and oceanographic processes, how they affect the marine environment and are in turn changed by maritime business activity and development. Having gained an understanding of the maritime environment, students examine the requirement for marine environmental protection, how this is achieved and managed across the globe, and developments in offshore renewable energy

    • Maritime Regulation and Governance (MLA603)

      This module gives students opportunity to investigate in detail, aspects of the maritime business world; its regulation, organisation, behaviour and management. Students build their knowledge and understanding of the economic and financial driving forces, maritime commercial frameworks, governance, regulation and legislation.

    • Maritime Operations (MLA604)

      This module brings together marine industry economic, ethical and environmental drivers to build understanding of the need for sustainable operations, now and in the future. Investigations into areas such as green ship technology and ballast water may be undertaken, building knowledge and understanding such that the student is able to make effective judgements balancing economic and ethical aspects in the modern, digital maritime business environment.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

All applications are considered on individual merit in relation to the aims and outcomes of the programme.

The criteria below set out normal minimum qualifications required for entry to the BSc (Hons) Sustainable Maritime Operations course.

The standard entry requirements will be one of:

  • An equivalent to year two of a British degree in a relevant subject.
  • Portfolio accreditation of Accredited Prior Learning (APL) and relevant work experience.

View course entry requirements on the Marine Learning Alliance website.

English language requirements

If you have not obtained or do not have the appropriate entry qualifications in the English language, you may be required to produce evidence of English language ability. This will normally be the equivalent of:

  • GCSE Grade C or above in English language.
  • IELTS average score of 6.5 or above with a score of at least 6.5 in the written component.
  • Equivalencies are detailed in ‘Admissions Information and Procedures’ issued by the University Secretariat.

Fees, costs and funding

For the latest information regarding programme fees please visit: https://www.mla.ac.uk/programmes/fees-finance/

How to apply

To apply for either the BSc or MSc Sustainable Maritime Operations course please fill in the online application form on the Marine Learning Alliance website.

Admissions tutors for the MLA College will check all applications thoroughly, and may also arrange an interview (usually by telephone or Skype), in order to assess your suitability for study. Offers are based on the information provided in the application documents and interview (where appropriate).

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss any aspect of studying with MLA College, please contact the Marine Learning Alliance.

Our partnership with MLA College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

To apply for either the BSc (Hons) or MSc Sustainable Maritime Operations course please fill in the online application form on the Marine Learning Alliance website.

Admissions tutors for the MLA College will check all applications thoroughly, and may also arrange an interview (usually by telephone or Skype), in order to assess your suitability for study. Offers are based on the information provided in the application documents and interview (where appropriate).

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss any aspect of studying with MLA College, please contact the Marine Learning Alliance.

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

We offer a number of different sustainable maritime operations options. Find the right course to meet your needs.

MLA College

The MLA College has developed blended distance e-learning programmes that are perfectly suited to marine professionals seeking advancement of skills and qualifications without having to attend university full time.
We have developed a flexible syllabus that meets the growing market need for part time study that fits around your working patterns.