University of Economics – Varna

Speciality “ Maritime business and international trade“

Professional field 3.8 “Economics”

Professional qualification “Economist”

Professional qualificational degree “Bachelor”

Period of study: 4 years for  full-time

 

1. Basic purpose of the characteristics

The Bachelor in Maritime Business and International Trade is typically a four-year program, divided into eight semesters. Students will undertake a combination of core maritime business courses, elective courses, and practical training components.

The Specialty  in Maritime Business and International Trade is a comprehensive bachelor degree program designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to work in the dynamic and global maritime industry. This program offers a well- rounded curriculum that combines theoretical understanding with practical experience, providing graduates with a competitive edge in various maritime business sectors.

 

2. Professional knowledge and skills

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the global maritime industry, including its historical development, current trends, and future challenges.
2. Analyze and apply principles of international and maritime economics, shipping operations, trade, and supply chain management.
3. Utilize the latest technologies and digital tools to optimize maritime business processes, blue entrepreneurship  and operations.
4. Exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges in the maritime industry.
5. Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks governing maritime trade, shipping, and environmental sustainability.
6. Develop international business communication and teamwork skills for collaboration within diverse and multicultural maritime environments.
7. Demonstrate ethical awareness and social responsibility in maritime business practices.

 

 

 

3. Training in programme “Maritime business and international trade”

The training is carried out as a full-time study based on the Curriculum and main  disciplines  structured in several directions:

1. Block "Core subjects" includes:

• Economics;
• Quantitative methods;
• Management and Marketing;
• Introduction to Finance;
• Accounting;.

2. Block "University specialised subjects"  includes:

• Introduction to Statistics;
• Three sub-blocks of Elective subjects

3. Block "Specialised subjects"  includes:

• Introduction to International and Maritime Economics
• Maritime trade
• International Business
• Maritime history
• Blue entrepreneurship
• Maritime supply chains
• Maritime law

The interdisciplinarity of the studied subjects predetermines the effective combination of lectures and experts from different departments in the University of Economics-Varna, including – International economic relations, Informatics, Marketing, Management and Administration, Legal Sciences, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Tourism, Training  of foreign languages and Sports, Economics. Experts from the maritime business actively participate in the learning and  training process. The education includes innovative methods such as: brainstorming, working in an e-environment, empirical research, solving case studies, business simulations, discussions and working in teams, working with software, interpretations and visualizations.

In the selection and organisation of specialised subjects in the curriculum, the Department follows the best practices of leading universities with experience in maritime business such as University of Plymouth, Solent University Southampton, UK; Old Dominion University, Texas A&M University, USA; NTU Singapore; Erasmus University Rotterdam, Bremen University of Applied Sciences, World Maritime University, Malmö.

 

4. Career opportunities

Graduates of the Specialty of Maritime Business and International Trade will be well-prepared for a range of rewarding career opportunities, including but not limited to:

• Commercial Director

 

• Shipping and Logistics Manager
• Export/Import Specialist
• Port Operations Manager
• Maritime Analyst
• Freight Forwarding Specialist
• Maritime Sales and Marketing Executive
• Supply Chain Coordinator
• Trade Compliance Officer
• Customs Agent
• Maritime Business Consultant
• Shipping and Chartering Broker
• Maritime Policy Analyst

 

5. Competence to be acquired by students during their training in programme “Maritime business and international trade”

In accordance with the Council of the European Union Recommendation of 22 May 2018 on the implementation of State policy of Key competences for lifelong learning, and in accordance with the National Qualification Framework of the Republic of Bulgaria for knowledge, skills and competences (personal and professional), at the University of Economics-Varna is applied a competence approach for students, aimed at acquiring general and professional competencies.

The basic competence application at University of Economics-Varna is oriented towards results such as: development and acquisition of social, cultural and professional competences for students, personal development and self-improvement.

Specialty "Maritime business and international trade" provides for the balanced development for all key competencies in accordance with the above-mentioned model, namely: language literacy; multilingual competence; mathematical competence and competence in the field of exact sciences, technology and engineering; digital competence; personal; civil and entrepreneurial  skills,  cultural awareness and expression.

The key competences acquired in "Maritime business and international trade" specialty  are:

1. Language Literacy - Ability to communicate in English, developing skills in using specialized terminology in the field of maritime business and international trade. (5%)
2. Multilingual competence - Ability to participate in intercultural and business dialogue, building communication skills with foreign partners in maritime business. (5%)
3. Mathematical and competences in the field of exact sciences, technology and engineering- Ability to apply mathematical and statistical models to optimize maritime transport operations. (35%)
4. Digital competence - Ability to manage IT projects in the maritime industry, to build skills in software protection and cyber security, effectively management of digitalisation process in international trade. (41%)

 

 

 

5. Personal skills - Ability to build a culture of an international expert and economist with a specialization in maritime business, to express and understand various opinions in the field of international business. (43%)
6. Civil skills - Ability to make decisions about laws and regulations in the maritime industry; environmental and social awareness for water areas and marine resources. (41%)
7. Entrepreneurial skills - Ability to form smart intelligence; competencies to build own business start-ups or other entrepreneurial activities. (35%)
8.  Cultural awareness and expression - Ability to know regional and world maritime history; personality focus, socialization, physical activity and multispectral awareness. (11%)

 

Date: 15.03.2024                                                                  Chair of Department: Prof. Dr. Vesselina Dimitrova

                                                                                                                    

Programme

Maritime business and international trade, Full-time (2024)

First year

2024