The first accredited doctoral-level program in Shipping in Cyprus, in a Public University
The PhD in Shipping offered by the Department of Shipping at the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) is the first accredited doctoral level program in the areas of shipping and maritime studies in Cyprus.
The duration of study ranges from three (3) to eight (8) years, and includes both a taught and a research component.
The aims and objectives of the doctoral program of the Department of Shipping is to equip students with all the necessary skills and competencies to conduct high-quality research on topics that fall within the research interests and/or academic fields of the Department. The doctoral program seeks, on the one hand, to produce original, high-level scientific research comparable to that of leading academic institutions abroad and publishable in reputable international scientific journals and conferences, and on the other hand, to cultivate scientists capable of contributing to the advancement of science, education, and society.
This third-cycle study program is the only one offered by a Greek-speaking public university in Cyprus. It has been carefully designed to be innovative, with the aim of promoting and advancing in-depth academic research on issues related to shipping—one of the largest and continuously evolving sectors of both the Cypriot and global economy.
The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare the next generation of researchers for a promising academic or entrepreneurial career.
Indicative research areas and topics of interest to the faculty members of the Department for supervision within the framework of the doctoral program include the following:
- Maritime Economics
- Shipping Finance
- Freight Transport
- Supply Chain Management and Logistics
- Environmental Issues in Shipping
- Maritime Policy
- Chartering
- Port Operations
- Optimization in Transport
- Sustainable Transport
- Pollution Control and Environmental Management in Shipping
Interested prospective students may also contact faculty members of the Department for further information.
Key Features
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Shipping |
| Duration | Three (3) to eight (8) years |
| Credits | 240 ECTS |
| Structure | Taught courses (Stage 1) followed by comprehensive examination, research proposal, original research, and thesis defence (Stages 2–4) |
| Language | English primarily; thesis may be written in Greek or English (English encouraged) |
| Intake | Twice yearly — September and January — when positions are advertised |
| Tuition |
Why Choose This Programme
The Doctoral Studies in Shipping (PhD) is the only doctoral-level programme of its kind offered by a public university in Cyprus — a purely research-oriented degree focused exclusively on shipping, maritime studies, and logistics, rather than a general doctorate with a shipping component. Its curriculum was developed by the Department's faculty in consultation with world-renowned international academics and key stakeholders in the local and international shipping industry, and is designed to meet the needs of students and employers across both academia and the maritime sector.
The Department is based in Limassol, one of Europe's most significant maritime clusters: over 250 shipping companies are based or maintain offices on the island, and the wider shipping industry employs around 3% of the national workforce. Candidates work alongside faculty whose research is ranked among the most-cited worldwide in the Logistics and Transportation field (Stanford/Elsevier citation rankings, including top-1% placements), with access to specialised maritime databases such as Lloyd's List Intelligence, Clarksons Research, Marine Money, and ISL shipping statistics, and to a regular programme of guest lectures delivered by senior industry figures.
Doctoral candidates are supported through a range of funding routes — including a scholarship covering PhD tuition for each new faculty member's first doctoral student, start-up research grants, teaching-assistant opportunities, and participation in funded research projects. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia and for senior roles across the maritime and transport sectors; departmental graduate surveys report an overall employment absorption rate of over 90% across the Department's graduates.
Vision
To be a leading centre of educational and applied research excellence in shipping, maritime studies, supply chain, logistics, and transport, with a national and international orientation.
Mission
To provide high-quality academic and professional education and applied research in the field of shipping and maritime studies, creating continuous value for the local and international maritime community and giving graduates the tools for a successful career in the demanding maritime sector. The mission focuses on creating added value through action in three areas
- Education To become a national, regional, and international centre of higher education, offering high-quality and competitive academic programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level in maritime studies, programmes that reflect technological, industrial, and environmental developments and the needs of the shipping sector.
- Research & Innovation To become a pioneer in applied research and achieve excellence in the local and international research community, promoting research outputs and transferring expertise to society and the maritime industry to generate innovative solutions with significant economic, operational, and environmental impact.
- Social Contribution To become a key partner in the shipping sector, building constructive dialogue through a strong network of collaborating organisations and established industry actors in the local maritime cluster.
Our Values
| Value | Commitment |
|---|---|
| Leadership | To operate as a pioneering Department in undergraduate and postgraduate maritime studies, research, and industry engagement. |
| Integrity | To act equitably, impartially, and fairly in all our actions. |
| Respect | To behave professionally and earn the respect of all partners and stakeholders, inside and outside the University. |
| Accountability | To ensure transparency and accountability in all actions and outcomes. |
| Collaboration | To develop and maintain effective working relationships and strong industry links at local, national, and international level. |
| Innovation | To continuously explore new interdisciplinary areas, making use of new technologies. |
| Transparency | To encourage open communication and dialogue with all stakeholders on how mutual added value can be created in shipping. |
| Effectiveness | To deliver well-designed courses fully aligned with technological, industrial, and environmental developments, and to produce high-quality academic and applied research. |
| Sustainability | To continuously support sustainable development goals and actions relevant to the shipping sector. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
- Demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of a specialised field within shipping (for example shipping economics, finance, policy, logistics, port operations, or environmental management).
- Command advanced research methods and the scholarly literature relevant to the chosen field of study.
- Understand the standards and conventions of high-quality academic research and scholarly publication in shipping and maritime studies.
Skills
- Design, plan, and conduct an original, independent research project that makes a substantial contribution to knowledge.
- Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to formulate and investigate research questions in shipping.
- Critically analyse and interpret complex data and present findings to academic and professional audiences in writing and orally.
- Produce original scientific research of a standard suitable for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
Competences
- Operate autonomously as an independent researcher, managing a long-term research project from proposal through to thesis defence.
- Contribute to scientific progress and to the wider community through the dissemination of new knowledge.
- Uphold research ethics and academic integrity throughout the research process.
- Engage with the international research community and pursue careers in academia, research, or advanced professional practice in the maritime sector.
Academic Coordinator
Dr. Thalis Zis, Academic Coordinator
Tel: +357 25002566 · Email: thalis.zis@cut.ac.cy
