KSMA is a Higher Educational Institution of the fourth accreditation level in Ukraine, training maritime professionals with academic degrees ranging from skilled operative, junior specialist, bachelor, specialist and master in 'Maritime Navigation', 'Maintenance of ship power plants' and 'Maintenance of ship electrical equipment'.
KSMA was founded in 1834 as Merchant Shipping School. The first maritime educational establishment in Ukraine has prepared more than 45,000 graduates during 184 years of its existence. More than 3000 deep-sea masters, more than 2000 chief engineers, about 1000 electrical engineers and the same number of radio officers on modern vessels are among them have contributed to the development of global and national shipping in Ukraine.
The partnership between the University of Plymouth (UoP) and Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA) was initiated in May 2022 as part of the Universities UK #TwinForHope campaign. Plymouth signed a memorandum of understanding with KSMA and since then UoP has been committed to supporting the development of this partnership and a dual award demonstrates the positive impact between UK and Ukrainian universities during this humanitarian crisis.