Teaching & Continuing Professional Development
From undergraduate and postgraduate studies to professional development, Edinburgh is a hub of ocean learning.
Are you interested in studying with us? From environmental sciences, to economics and management, to law and political sciences, we offer a range of world-class undergraduate programmes.
Environmental Geoscience studies the earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land, as well as the processes that maintain and modify each component. The BSc programme aims to develop strong scientific understanding of the environmental processes controlling the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere, and will equip graduates with the skills to use this knowledge in order to address critical questions regarding global change.
BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management
The BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management is for those who are passionate about interactions between humans and the natural world, and our impact on the planet. It will uniquely position you to address some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet, such as rapid climate change, the over-exploitation of natural resources, and environmental degradation.
Biological Sciences explores the study of living organisms, covering everything from the interactions of animals in their environment to how genes are expressed. The BSc in Biological Sciences programme at the University offers 12 different subject areas that students can specialise in, such as ecology, biochemistry, genetics, and zoology.
MA Economics with Environmental Studies
This innovative combined programme enables you to complement the study of economics with a structured menu of pathways in environmental studies offered by departments across the University. Through the combination of compulsory economic and ecological or environmental courses, graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skillset required to tackle pressing global challenges.
Postgraduate programmes relating to the ocean are carried out across all three of the University of Edinburgh’s Colleges, such as:
MSc Marine Systems and Policies
The MSc in Marine Systems and Policies is a uniquely crafted interdisciplinary programme which enables graduates to truly embrace the integrated approach needed to tackle the complex issues facing our oceans.
The MSc in Ecological Economics is an interdisciplinary programme which will prepare graduates to contribute to solving sustainability problems by focusing on the intersection between the environment, the economy, and economic decision-making. Alongside core subjects in ecological economics, students are also able to select modules in marine science and policy.
Based at the Roslin Institute which hosts world-class aquaculture and husbandry facilities, the MSc in Animal Biosciences programme explores the applications of basic animal sciences to veterinary and human medicine, farming, and food security.
LLM Global Environment and Climate Change Law
The LLM in Global Environment and Climate Change Law is designed to provide graduates with specialist knowledge of the legal issues and techniques related to environmental protection and the management of natural resources, and offers specialised courses on international law of the sea and marine environmental law.
The University of Edinburgh offers world-leading doctoral training in ocean relevant disciplines. In particular, we host several Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded doctoral training partnerships (DTP) and centres (CTD).
Satellite Data in Environmental Science CDT
The Satellite Data in Environmental Science CDT is a joint CDT led by the Universities of Edinburgh and Leads and is funded by NERC to train 50 PhD students. The CTD will provide specialised training for PhD students in using remote sensing data to expand our knowledge of the ocean.
The Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment DTP
The Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment DTP is led by the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh and is funded by NERC to train five cohorts of PhD students between 2019 and 2023.
CDT in Robotics and Autonomous Systems
The Robotics and Autonomous Systems CDT is funded by the EPSRC based at the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics in partnership with Heriot-Watt University, and offers a joint four year PhD training programme with the aim of producing innovation-ready graduates in robotics technology.
CDT in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures
The Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures CDT is funded by the EPSRC and is offered in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde. The CDT aims to produce skilled industry-ready engineers to contribute to the expanding offshore energy sector.
Edinburgh Ocean Leaders:
Edinburgh Ocean Leaders (EOL) is an executive leadership programme designed specifically for professionals working on the oceans. It is hosted by the University of Edinburgh, and is financially supported by the University, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and other organisations and individuals.
The programme is designed to accelerate the leadership, creativity and influence of exceptional ocean professionals working together to make a significant positive impact on the health of the World’s oceans. The overall goal of EOL is to create and sustain a life-long network of ocean change-makers.
Towards this, the programme supports leadership training, mentoring, professional development and online networking opportunities. This typically includes: a series of remote and face-to-face coaching dialogues; annual induction event and meeting; a joint field mission; and engagement with international ocean initiatives to help shape tangible pathways into action.