Scuba diver underwater swimming by school of fish
Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute

Study with us

Learn how we empower our academics to inform policymakers and connect stakeholders.

The University of Southampton has an international pedigree across the spectrum of ocean science and engineering, maritime law, and maritime archaeology and offers a diverse a range of education opportunities across the marine and maritime space.

PhD opportunities

Search the current PhD opportunities available at the University of Southampton:

Funding opportunities

At the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), we are dedicated to shaping the future of marine and maritime research and to training the next generation of professionals and leaders, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle the sector's evolving challenges.

We have a range of research projects and competitive studentships, including SMMI-funded studentships or the Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarships. Postgraduate students have the chance to work with our researchers on important questions and solutions that address pressing societal and industry issues.

Marine and maritime topics

Explore the range of marine and maritime topics you can study at the University of Southampton: 

Engineering and physical sciences

  • clean, green marine energy
  • communications, data-science and cyber security
  • control systems
  • electrification of systems
  • energy storage and batteries
  • marine acoustics
  • maritime engineering, ship efficiency and safety
  • materials and coatings
  • ocean optics
  • offshore and coastal engineering and decommissioning
  • robotics, autonomous systems and sensors

Environmental, life and social sciences

  • climate change
  • coastal processes
  • earth surface dynamics
  • eco-system services
  • environmental geosciences
  • global environmental change and earth observation
  • human factors 
  • human health and well being
  • international relations
  • marine biology
  • marine geology and geophysics
  • oceanography
  • pollution and environmental change

Law and business

  • admiralty law
  • carriage of goods by sea
  • commercial conflict of laws 
  • cyber security
  • global enterprise
  • international trade law
  • marine insurance
  • ocean governance
  • organisational change management
  • supply chain management and logistics

Arts and humanities

  • art and design 
  • digital oceans 
  • environmental anthropology 
  • globalisation of music and culture 
  • literature of the seas, piracy, and nature writing 
  • maritime archaeology 
  • maritime history, explorations, migrations, and global diaspora 
  • scientific diving 
  • visual anthropology and film

Contact us

Whether you're a UK, EU, or international student, if you have a passion for marine and maritime studies, get in touch to find out how you can study with us. Please email us at smmi@southampton.ac.uk.