Skip to content

Studies & Degrees in Transportation and Logistics Management

Transportation and logistics management is the study of how goods and people are moved from origin to destination, and of how that movement is planned, paid for and controlled. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the work of logisticians as overseeing activities related to purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing.

Students learn to plan long-distance and delivery routes, to choose the best combination of modes of transport, to organise warehouses and stock, to buy supplies and to handle the paperwork of international trade. They also learn to use the software that plans and tracks the movement of products. Programmes taught in a business school add accounting, economics and procurement. Programmes taught in an engineering school focus on the design and operation of transport systems.

Qualifications and levels

  • Vocational training. In Spain the Técnico Superior en Transporte y Logística is a higher vocational qualification (FP de grado superior) of 2,000 hours. Its modules include international freight transport, warehouse logistics, supply logistics and the organisation of passenger and freight transport. It includes a training period in a company. Applicants need the Bachiller or an equivalent qualification, or must pass an entrance test. Universidad Camilo José Cela teaches it over two academic years, on campus or online, in Spanish. Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio offers it online as an official qualification.
  • Bachelor's degree. In the European Higher Education Area a bachelor's degree has 180 or 240 ECTS credits. A Spanish bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. Logistics is often a specialisation inside a degree in business administration or engineering. In the United States, according to the BLS, bachelor's programmes may be in logistics and supply chain management, business or related disciplines.
  • Master's degree. An official Spanish master's degree has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), for example, offers an official master's degree in Nautical Science and Maritime Transport Management. It lasts 1.5 academic years and has 90 ECTS credits, with subjects such as Logistics and Management of Maritime and Intermodal Transport and Port Terminal Management. The Technische Universität München (TUM) offers a Master of Science in Transportation Systems with 120 ECTS credits over four semesters, taught in English.
  • Professional certification. Certification is not required to work as a logistician, but the BLS notes that it demonstrates professional competence and a broad knowledge of logistics.

Fees differ widely between countries and between public and private institutions. In October 2026 UPC lists approximate fees of €1,592 for its master's degree (€4,050 for non-EU residents). TUM lists tuition fees of 6,000 euros per semester for international students from third countries.

Where to study it

This directory lists 22 active schools that teach transportation and logistics management. The United States has 9 and Spain 7. Canada has 2, and Ecuador, Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany have 1 each.

In Spain the listed schools include Universidad Camilo José Cela and Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, both in the Madrid region, UPC in Barcelona, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Universidad de Extremadura in Badajoz and Escuela Internacional de Gerencia in Granada. In North America the list includes The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Maryland, the University of Minnesota, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and the University of Calgary, together with community colleges such as Century College and Central Community College. Elsewhere, the listed schools include University College London, TUM in Munich and Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral in Guayaquil.

The language of instruction depends on the school. The vocational programme at Universidad Camilo José Cela is taught in Spanish. The TUM master's degree is taught in English. At UPC the language is set for each subject, so applicants should check the course guide.

Careers

Graduates work for transport companies, freight forwarders, logistics operators, ports, manufacturers, retailers and public bodies. The Spanish vocational qualification leads to jobs such as traffic manager in a transport company, freight forwarder, ship agent, logistics operator and warehouse manager. The BLS notes that experienced logisticians may advance to become supply chain managers.

For context, the BLS counted 255,100 jobs for logisticians in the United States in 2025. It projects employment to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 26,600 openings each year. Manufacturing was the largest employer, with 22 percent of the jobs. These figures describe the United States only.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university degree to work in logistics?

Not always. According to the BLS, logisticians typically need a bachelor's degree, although less education may be sufficient for some jobs. In Spain, the two-year Técnico Superior en Transporte y Logística is a vocational route into the sector.

How long does it take to study transportation and logistics management?

The Spanish higher vocational qualification has 2,000 hours and takes two academic years. A Spanish bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits, and an official master's degree has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

Can I study logistics in English?

Yes. The schools listed in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom teach in English, and the Master of Science in Transportation Systems at TUM in Munich is also taught in English. In Spain many programmes are taught in Spanish, so check the language of each programme.

Can I go on to university after vocational training in Spain?

Yes. The Técnico Superior en Transporte y Logística gives access to a university bachelor's degree, with the possibility of having some modules recognised. Ask the university which credits it recognises.