Sept 2026 Entry
2 years for MSc (Full-time)
2 years for PgD (Full-time)
2.5 years for MSc (Part-time)
2.5 years for PgD (Part-time)
34 for MSc,
19 for PgD
PgD Exit Award
Students admitted to the MSc programme may apply for early exit with a Postgraduate Diploma if they have met the specified credit requirements.
Note to Applicants
Please complete all of the relevant fields and enclose all necessary documents. Incomplete applications cannot be processed promptly.
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
What's New
- MPhil
- PhD
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to introduce modern and 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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Graduates pursue diverse career paths.
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Graduates are granted exemptions from professional examinations.
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Postgraduate Diploma offered as an intermediate exit.
Characteristics
This is a multidisciplinary and specialist programme designed to attract students from diverse backgrounds. As such, it benefits from the range of professional experience that students bring. The intellectual demands of the programme challenge students to integrate and synthesise what are traditionally disparate disciplines. There is also an array of Elective Subjects that allow students to specialise in areas that would normally be impossible to cover in depth within the time constraints of the first degree.
Graduates with the MSc in International Shipping and Transport Logistics are granted full exemption from the Qualifying Examination of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK).
Graduates with the PgD in International Shipping and Transport Logistics are granted Level 1 and Level 2 (6 subjects) exemption from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK).
Graduates with the MSc/PgD in International Shipping and Transport Logistics are granted exemption from the following subject by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS):
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Introduction to Shipping
Students who complete one or more relevant subjects in MSc in International Shipping and Transport Logistics are eligible to apply for the following qualifications provided by the Six Sigma Institute (SSI) (subject to approval):
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Registered Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (RLSSGB)
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Registered Six Sigma Green Belt (RSSGB) and Registered Lean Leader (RLL)
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Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate
Programme Structure (Subject to review)
Mode of Study: Mixed-mode
Students can pursue their studies in either a full-time study load (taking 9 credits or more in a semester) or a part-time study load (taking fewer than 9 credits in a semester). In general, one evening class per week is scheduled for each subject over a regular 13-week semester and two evening classes per week over a 7-week optional Summer Term.
For the MSc:
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Students complete 34 credits (2 Compulsory Subjects, 5 Restricted Elective Subjects and 5 Free Elective Subjects). In addition to the Compulsory and Restricted Elective Subjects, students can choose to complete a 6-credit Project plus 3 Free Elective Subjects.
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Depending on their study pace, students should normally be able to complete the full-time programme within 2 years and the part-time programme within 2.5 years.
For the PgD:
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Students complete 19 credits (2 Compulsory Subjects and 5 Restricted Elective Subjects).
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Students should normally be able to complete the programme full-time within 2 years and the part-time within 2.5 years.
Students will be required to attend more classes in the evening if they choose the full-time option, and the duration of study will be subject to class quota availability.
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 for both MSc and PgD)
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Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business (1 credit)
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International Logistics Systems, Operations and Management*
Restricted Elective Subjects
(5 subjects – 15 credits for both MSc and PgD)
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Choose at least two subjects from the focus on International Shipping:
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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
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AI and Digitalisation in the Global Shipping Industry (subject to approval)
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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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Students may take more than 5 Restricted Elective Subjects. The additional subjects will be counted as Free Elective Subjects.
Free Elective Subjects+
(Any 5 subjects – 15 credits for MSc; 0 subjects for PgD)
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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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 (for MSc only) (6 credits)
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Research Methods
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E-Commerce
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Lean Six Sigma and Quality Management Techniques (subject to approval)
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Research Project in International Shipping and Transport Logisitcs (subject to approval)
A tuition fee is not required for the 1-credit subject "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business". Each subject is 3 credits, and the Project is 6 credits.
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
+ Offerings are subject to class quota availability.
* This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.
* The mother course of this module (Master of Science/Postgraduate Diploma in International Shipping and Transport Logistics) is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level 6).
34 for MSc,
19 for PgD
Programme Director
Prof. YANG Dong
PhD
- A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification
OR
- Full membership in one of the following professional bodies:
- The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Hong Kong
- The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, UK
- The Chartered Insurance Institute, UK
- The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, UK
OR
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Applicants with other post-secondary qualifications, who have been employed in the fields of maritime service, shipping, transport or logistics for not less than 6 years, of which 3 years have been in a managerial capacity, will also be considered.
If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the “Admission Requirements” section under Taught Postgraduate Programmes at Study@PolyU for details.
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 Prof. YANG Dong, Programme Director (tel: (852) 2766 7413; email: dong.yang@polyu.edu.hk).
Interview
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Departments will consider applications on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend admission interviews. Applicants who submit their applications before 15 October 2025 will be invited to attend the first round of interviews in November 2025. Other rounds of interviews will be conducted thereafter.
Class Arrangement
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Classes are normally scheduled on weekday evenings in three semesters (including an optional Summer Term) within an academic year. However, classes are occasionally delivered in the daytime or in short block mode over weekends.
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/.
Please click here to download.
HK$300,300 per programme (HK$9,100 per credit) for local and non-local MSc students
HK$163,800 per programme (HK$9,100 per credit) for local and non-local PgD students
Both entry scholarships and merit scholarships are provided. Please click here for details.
PolyU reserves the right to change or withdraw the scholarship at any time. In case of any dispute/disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.
I spent five years developing intelligent ship systems, as a marine technology engineer, after university. My work highlighted the importance of user-centric design, considering crew and shipowners, to align with industry needs. I also learned the value of adhering to maritime regulations, ensuring reliable systems, and understanding market trends to seize opportunities. These insights led me to the ISTL program, where I addressed real-world challenges through focused learning and growth.
The ISTL programme is comprehensive and has an in-depth curriculum. I built an understanding of the field by taking courses in shipping management and operations, shipping economics and markets, maritime law and insurance. The professors' emphasis on the importance of independent thinking made us realize that workplace challenges rarely have standard answers but require professional knowledge to dissect complex problems. This practical approach has been immensely beneficial to me. The teaching team not only possesses academic expertise but also hands-on industry experience: some are navigation experts who have served as ocean-going captains, others are maritime investigators who have participated in major marine accident inquiries, and others practising lawyers who have handled numerous maritime cases. These teachers bring not just theoretical frameworks but also industry insights after decades of professional experience. This integration of theory and practice allows us to master professional knowledge as well as feel the pulse of the industry.
I am grateful for the opportunity to grow through the ISTL programme. As the university’s motto states: ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.’ ISTL empowers us to bridge cutting-edge expertise with real-world industry challenges, equipping us to navigate the seas of our ambitions.
Before joining the MScISTL programme, my knowledge of the maritime industry was mostly in bulk shipping. This programme broadened my understanding of the shipping and logistics field. It expanded my professional vision and connected me with classmates from diverse maritime backgrounds. Through our discussions and exchanges, I gained new perspectives of the industry, which made my future career path clearer and deepened my passion for shipping. The professors were highly knowledgeable and supportive, creating an inspiring learning environment.
Thanks to the solid foundation and insights I gained from the programme, I am now working as a new-build shipbroker. My role involves projects across container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, Ro-Ro ships, and cruise ships. I've even had the opportunity to participate in sea trials and witness the delivery of brand-new vessels. These experiences would not have been possible without the training, guidance, and industry exposure provided by the MScISTL programme. It has played a crucial role in shaping my career path and opening doors in the global maritime industry.
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