Marine Systems and Policies MSc

This MSc programme comprises:

• compulsory and option courses
• dissertation

Our MSc programme mixes set coursework with field trips, networking opportunities, skills and training sessions, reading groups, and conferences to round off your programme.

Guest experts from government, industries, and non-government organisations (NGOs) from around the world will also support your experience while you are here, giving practical workshops, lectures, or offering work-based or internship-based dissertation project opportunities.

Dissertation

The MSc includes an independent research project called a “dissertation,” which is on a marine topic of your choice. This can be field, lab, or desk-based anywhere in the world. We will work with you throughout your studies to prepare you for the dissertation project. You will be supported by a project supervisor who will help to co-develop your idea, research questions and methods. The topic can be purely scientific, policy-based, or have a strong human dimension. As part of your project, you will produce a written dissertation of up to 15,000 words, which many of our students go on to publish as a peer-reviewed publication. You can also use it to demonstrate your knowledge to potential employers.

How will I learn?

You will experience a range of learning styles while studying, depending on the subject matter and courses you are taking.

You can view each relevant course for teaching and assessment methods through the ‘Programme Structure’ link under compulsory and option courses below.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, please be advised that there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to ensure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

Although we endeavour to provide a wide range of optional courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on optional courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every offer holder their top choice of optional courses.

Part-time study

You may study this programme part-time as we are committed to helping people into education while continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

The MSc Marine Systems and Policies can provide rewarding work experience opportunities.

You can choose to undertake your research project as an intern, or as a project student for more work-based experiences. These opportunities are normally advertised in November each year, and typically form the backbone of your independent research dissertation project.

For example, these types of work experience or internships undertaken by our students have been supported by:

• Blue Ventures
• Blue Marine Foundation
• WhaleWise
• SharkLife
• NatureScot
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme
• International Maritime Organization
• International Union for Conservation of Nature

You will develop a strong understanding of key marine ecosystems, the impacts of human activities and climate change, and international and national policy frameworks to govern these ecosystems.

Throughout the year, you will also get the chance to gain practical skills, including field skills (such as snorkelling, transects, and species identification) and computer skills (such as the University’s popular Coding Club with R, but also field habitat mapping, semi-structured interview techniques and using social science software such as NVivo.)

Employers tell us that this blend of expertise in marine planning and policies combined with practical and computer skills is highly desirable and transferable to other lines of employment as well.

By studying the MSc Marine Systems and Policies, you will:

• become familiar with field and laboratory methods to assess marine ecosystems and cumulative impacts of climate change and human activities, including the social dimensions;
• be equipped with field and laboratory skills in experimental design, underwater transects, image analysis, marine species identification, habitat mapping, and semi-structured interviews;
• be able to recognise gold standards in ocean planning;
• develop critical thinking about what constitutes sustainable development and strong ocean governance and how climate change can be integrated into systems thinking;
• become familiar with ocean governance systems for a variety of marine ecosystems including charismatic species such as sharks, marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds;
• understand the structure, functioning and governance of characteristic marine ecosystems, including atolls and islands, temperate and tropical coasts, estuaries, the continental shelves, seamounts, the deep sea, and polar oceans;
• explore how different platforms for data collection from small vessels to large research expeditions, robotics including autonomous systems, and how remote sensing such as multi-beam echo-sounders, drones, and hydrophones enhance observational capacity;
• understand the “toolkit” of area-based management tools to conserve nature and better manage human activities including marine protected areas, marine spatial planning, strategic environmental assessment, and environmental impact assessment, and how society can engage in these processes.

Employers tell us that they seek candidates with real-world skills and an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems, development and planning, as well as regional and international policies.

Our MSc programme was the first of its kind in the UK and has been running for 10 years. As such, we are confident that our MSc programme provides you with the foundation needed to work in a wide range of settings, from grassroots community groups to universities and governments. You can also seek a career with the marine industry, non-government organisations (NGOs) or international agencies.

Our graduates are now working around the world at local, national and international levels, with many now working as:

• ocean consultants
• marine science officers
• marine policy analysts and officers
• sustainability consultants
• project leaders
• program officers
• marine mammal observers
• marine education and communication leaders
• PhD students

For example, they can be found:

• gathering evidence for the government to support marine protected areas;
• conducting academic research and fieldwork;
• advising the fishing, offshore renewables, and tourism industry;
• working with international conservation agencies to help implement marine policies at the highest level

We are also happy to support many of our graduates to further their pathways as PhD students both in the UK and abroad.

Our graduates

Examples of the organisations our graduates have gained employment include:

• World Wide Fund for Nature
• Global Fishing Watch
• Blue Ventures
• Blue Marine Foundation
• United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Coral Cay Conservation Philippines
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps USA
• Royal Society for the Protection of Nature Scotland
• International Union for the Conservation of Nature
• Pew Foundation

Networks

We have excellent relationships with various organisations, from local communities to government, industry, and academia. Our networks can give you access to potential employers and decision-makers who may provide employment opportunities or research projects.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service

Field trips

Our MSc Marine Systems and Policies programme offers exceptional opportunities to develop your experience and skills through fieldwork.

You will first learn basic survey and interview techniques in the Scottish coastal village of St. Abbs early in Semester 2 to experience first-hand the intersection of environment, development and social issues within a marine setting.

Our international field course then takes you well beyond the classroom and offers some life-changing experiences.

The MSc includes an overseas field trip, most likely to the South Ari Atoll in the Maldives, where you will put your new skills into practice. In the Maldives, you will snorkel or dive and use boat-based surveys to study reef and seagrass ecosystems and charismatic megafauna, including whale sharks and manta rays.

You will also get to see first-hand the intersection between ecosystems, local communities, and development on a small island, including the impacts of an airport landing strip and land reclamation projects.

We also hold a popular reading group on the Maldives early in Semester 2 to familiarise you with the interesting geopolitical context of this island nation. To complete your field course, our staff and local experts will guide and support you in designing and executing a field research project.

The field course usually takes place in April.

There are no additional charges for field trips. Our compulsory field trips or field courses are covered within your tuition, including travel and accommodation, as well as any snorkelling or diving that you conduct.

Changes to field trips Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to ensure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience. Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will ensure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree. We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Accessibility on field trips We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. In the event that you cannot attend a fieldwork trip, we will provide alternatives with comparable learning outcomes where necessary.

Local day trips

Throughout the programme, we also offer voluntary field trips in Scotland to experience a variety of marine settings at no extra cost to you. These vary depending on students' interests but have included:

• RIB trips around the Berwickshire Marine Reserve – the UK's oldest voluntary marine reserve, where we learn from local fishers and communities about this successful marine protected area;
• boat trips to visit the seal pups in November in the Firth of Forth to learn about their critical habitats and experience sustainable marine tourism;
• site visits to salmon farms on the beautiful west coast of Scotland to gain a more in-depth understanding of the planning and monitoring salmon farms undertake to become more sustainable;
• boat trips to the famous Bass Rock, the world's largest gannet colony, to learn about seabird ecology and the potential impacts of offshore windfarms;
• visits to the Dynamic Earth Science Centre right here in Edinburgh to learn about public engagement.

Where you will study

You will have access to the University's facilities across all University sites.

For example:

• laboratories
• libraries
• study spaces (some of which are open 24 hours)
• computing facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities

Most of your lectures and workshops will take place within the Central Campus, many of which will be located in the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).

Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at various campus locations in Edinburgh, including Kings Buildings Campus. Some of your weekly optional events, such as "Breakfast Briefings," where students talk about an ocean or conservation policy of their choice, are likely to take place at our King's Buildings Campus.

Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

This programme is linked with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI). You will have access to the shared 'Masters Hub' study space in ECCI as well as the café and shared working spaces on the ground and first floors. Some of your teaching will take place in the ECCI.

The ECCI is also close to many teaching spaces and facilities within the Central Area campus. For example, the Main Library and gym.

• Visit the ECCI website

King's Buildings campus

The King's Buildings (KB) is the main campus of the College of Science and Engineering.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh. It is easily accessible by bus. You can also cycle (10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) from the central area.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of GeoSciences and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site. Discover our city's landmarks, our campuses, accommodation and get video tours - all in one place.

• Take a virtual tour

Edinburgh is your ideal base

Edinburgh is ranked 2nd in the UK and 10th in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2023.

Edinburgh is not only a fantastic city to live in - it is the perfect location to study the subject you're studying. Our vibrant capital is an irresistible blend of history and modern city life. We have rich environmental locations to explore right on our doorstep. Immerse yourself among rugged coastlines, misty mountains, forest glens and sparkling freshwater lochs.

It is no surprise we are regularly voted one of the most desirable places to live in the world!

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in natural sciences or social sciences, but with clear evidence of experience and interest in marine topics.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Deposit

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Field trips and field courses

We do not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses.

The programme fees will cover costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips. However, you must pay for incidental or personal expenses. This may include suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

School of GeoSciences scholarships

• See potential funding for GeoSciences students

Scholarships and student funding

You can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.

• Postgraduate scholarships and student funding

You are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding