PhD Program in Shipping – Brief Description and Content
The PhD Program of the Department of Shipping at the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) is the first third-cycle doctoral program in the field of shipping in Cyprus to be accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA).
Its goal is to prepare highly qualified researchers and academic leaders with a deep understanding of international developments in shipping, sustainability in maritime transport, port and supply chain management, transportation, financial management, and emerging technologies in the maritime sector.
Program Structure
To successfully complete the program, PhD candidates must earn 240 ECTS credits, which are distributed across the following four (4) stages. These stages ensure comprehensive academic and research development:
Advanced Postgraduate/Doctoral-Level Coursework (60 ECTS)
PhD candidates attend high-level courses that cover the fundamental knowledge required for the research phase of the doctoral program. The 60 credits are distributed across eight (8) courses:
Four (4) compulsory core courses with a focus on research
Four (4) elective courses offering specialization in various research topics
Compulsory Research-Oriented Courses
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Course Code
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Title
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Brief Description
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SHP810
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Introduction to Academic Research
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PhD candidates are introduced to the fundamental elements of academic research in the Department’s areas of interest. They gain a deep understanding of what constitutes innovative and pioneering research—essential components for the successful completion of the program. An overview is provided of the various databases accessible through the Department and the University.
PhD candidates receive training in research presentation, academic writing, plagiarism avoidance, and learn the basics of conducting literature reviews and identifying research questions and gaps relevant to their studies. They are also taught how to select appropriate academic journals and conferences for presenting and publishing their research, in collaboration with their supervisors.
Candidates are informed about the broader responsibilities and duties of researchers pursuing an academic career, including peer review, teaching, research supervision, and administrative tasks they may be required to undertake. They also engage directly with the University’s library services and are briefed on the resources and support available.
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SHP820
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Research Methods
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Training is provided in the use of core research methods—both quantitative and qualitative—that may be employed during the research phase of their studies. These methods include, among others, statistical analysis, multivariate analysis, optimization, questionnaire design and analysis, focus groups, and more.
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SHP830
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Topics in Shipping
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Faculty members of the Department offer rotating lectures and presentations of their recently published research, providing in-depth insights into the process of developing research ideas, data collection, analysis, and drawing conclusions. This helps PhD candidates better understand the research interests of faculty members with whom they may not be directly collaborating during their doctoral studies.
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SHP850
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Research Seminars in Shipping
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The Department organizes invited research seminars featuring distinguished academic speakers from leading research institutions and universities. These seminars offer excellent networking opportunities for our PhD candidates.
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Selection of four (4) elective courses offered in the MSc in Shipping.
PhD candidates who have already completed some of the elective courses during their postgraduate studies at the Department or at another recognized university have the right to request credit recognition for the corresponding ECTS units.
2. Comprehensive Examination and Submission of Research Proposal (30 ECTS)
After successfully completing the core coursework, students undertake comprehensive examinations to demonstrate their research competence and understanding of the scientific field. The examination is based on material defined by the candidate’s three-member supervisory committee.
3. Research Component / Dissertation Work (120 ECTS)
In the main phase of the program, candidates conduct original, high-level research under the guidance of experienced faculty members with international recognition. The Department encourages PhD candidates to present their research at peer-reviewed international conferences and to submit their work for publication in leading academic journals relevant to their research field.
4. Writing, Submission, Public Presentation, and Defense of the Dissertation (30 ECTS)
The program concludes with the writing, submission, and public defense of an original doctoral dissertation, in accordance with University regulations. The Department expects that the core findings of the dissertation will be suitable for publication in high-impact international scientific journals, thereby contributing meaningfully to global scientific knowledge. The dissertation may be written in either Greek or English, but the Department strongly encourages candidates to use English to ensure the widest possible dissemination of their research.
