BSc in In­ter­na­tion­al Ship­ping and Trade

Having lived and worked abroad, I wanted a programme with a strong international side. BSc IST really delivers that through a mandatory exchange, internship options and a genuinely global perspective. I also liked that it's a smaller programme, so you get close to your classmates. What really intrigued me was shipping itself, even with no background in it. It's volatile, always changing and opens up so many career paths, from trading to logistics to finance.

What I like best is how many opportunities the programme gives you. There's a strong connection to the industry through the Shipping Union and CBS itself, plus a mandatory exchange, the chance to join Shanghai Summer School and an internship in the third year. I also love that graduating doesn't lock you into one path. Most people go straight into shipping, but a master's or a move straight into logistics or finance are just as possible.

Figuring out the right study technique took me a while, and balancing studying with a job and a social life is a constant struggle. It's also surprisingly hard to find your own path when there are so many opportunities around you, like student organisations, student jobs and exchange destinations. It can feel overwhelming trying to work out what's actually right for you versus what just looks good on paper.

I wish I'd known how fast everything moves from day one. You really need to thrive in a demanding, fast paced structure right from the start, and the first year especially can be tough academically, particularly the math heavy subjects. On top of that, networking opportunities, company events and internships come up early too, so it pays off to stay proactive and engage rather than wait until you feel ready.

Honestly, it's still pretty open to me. I could both see myself doing a master's, either at CBS or abroad, or going straight into the industry through a traineeship or full-time position. The programme leaves so many doors open, like shipping, logistics or finance, that I haven't had to decide yet. What I do know is that I can picture myself working abroad again at some point.

Even when everything feels overwhelming, don't stress too much about grades and performance. Focus on the process, keep learning and actually enjoy it while it lasts. You'll find your own way with time, and it doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Comparing yourself to your classmates all the time will only slow you down and take the fun out of it.

You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions about the programme or student life.
 

I can help you with questions like:

• How is it being in a student organisation at CBS?
• How is social life on BSc IST ?
• How do you balance work/study/social life?
• Shanghai Summer School and going on exchange.

I chose the BSc IST programme because I find shipping fascinating in its complexity and importance. It’s an industry that most people don’t notice, but it supports globalization, affordable goods and easy transport. It crosses countless jurisdictions and involves everyone from port agents and crew to insurers, arbitrators and shipbrokers. What excites me most is its unpredictability – every geopolitical shift has an impact, and no two days in the industry are alike.

What I like most about the programme is that it opens up countless career possibilities. While it is focused on shipping, it also includes courses on trade that provide you with a strong foundation for roles beyond shipping, whether in operations, chartering, brokerage or other areas. I also value the friendly but motivating environment at CBS – students challenge and support each other, allowing personal development while preparing for exchange and internships. 

For me, one of the most difficult parts has been the amount and level of mathematics. It’s much more advanced than I expected compared to Danish upper secondary school, and courses like statistics, microeconomics, and corporate finance rely heavily on it right from the start. In the beginning I often felt lost, but over time I learned that steady practice helps a lot, and the maths brush-up course offered in the first semester was also a great support. 

I wish I had known that in the first year, many courses don’t directly relate to shipping. If you expect to study shipping full time from the start, it can feel frustrating and hard to stay motivated. The connection to the industry isn’t always obvious until later, when you see how law, finance and economics link to real shipping cases and careers. Having that perspective earlier would have helped me to be more patient and trust the process. 

I imagine that operations or chartering would be something that could suit my interests, but I’m also intrigued by areas like marketing and the influence of social media, so I plan to keep exploring courses and opportunities that catch my attention. I don’t know exactly what I want to do when I graduate, but that’s also what I value about this programme – you’re not stuck in one industry or role just because it’s centred on shipping. 

Relax and don’t worry about feeling behind in the first semester. Many students think the others are smarter, faster or more prepared, but almost everyone I’ve met has found the first year overwhelming. The workload is heavy, and it takes time to adapt to reading, group work and a completely new study routine. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away – give yourself time, take things step by step, and remember that you’re not alone in this.