International Marine Science (online)

Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent in a science subject with evidence of maths/numeracy courses passed at C or experience from a work environment can also be considered. Please include your CV as part of your application.

We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

MSc International Marine Science provides those of you with a bachelor-level graduate degree in Biology the opportunity to build your marine science knowledge and expertise. For those of you from a different academic background, the programme offers you the opportunity to prepare for employment in the wider international marine management and planning sector, through studying a range of relevant topical issues within this area. You’ll gain a broad knowledge of the fundamental principles, interdisciplinary nature, and innovative international practices in the global marine science field.

You’ll explore marine resources and their sustainable exploitation, and how to use this theoretical knowledge in real-world practical applications. You’ll also consider strategic environmental assessment, policy, legal, ethical and health and safety issues of concern in the marine environment.

The career-focused master’s programme will develop your technical, scientific, and managerial abilities, relevant for a marine science career in academia, industry, government and non-governmental organisations.

Your Student Experience

Our expertise

Your learning will be informed by experts in marine science, renewable energy, economics, and transition engineering from our Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES). The Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology (CMBB) is based at the Edinburgh campus and the International Centre for Islands Technology (ICIT) in Stromness, Heriot-Watt University’s Orkney campus. These research facilities are part of Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS), which is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity.

The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused. 

Your learning environment

The MSc International Marine Science is taught though a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals and field work, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our specialist equipment, software and laboratories. You will have the opportunity to work on real-world problems at a range of locations within the United Kingdom and abroad, and work across disciplines to deliver practical solutions with global impact.

Outside of the classroom, you can get involved with the Heriot-Watt Student Union, based at the Edinburgh campus, by participating in student groups, becoming an Academic Rep, and joining societies.  

You may be particularly interested in joining the Marine Biology Society, which is student led and offers anyone with an interest in marine biology the opportunity to meet friends and be supported in your future career aspirations.

Societies provide a great opportunity to meet likeminded people, get involved in regular social and networking events, and gain insights into career prospects.

Customise your learning

You’ll take three mandatory courses that will provide you with knowledge of oceanography, skills in geographical information software (GIS) for marine scientists and environmentalists, and increase your applied research, design, and analysis skills. You can customise your learning to match your specific interests or desired career pathway by choosing five optional courses from a range of over ten environmental, marine, and energy transition specialist courses, including marine planning, environmental processes, marine biotechnology, and transition engineering.

In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation into your chosen area of marine science through your dissertation. You’ll be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by researching, investigating, and reporting on a specialist topic relating to the subject area, and you’ll be required to do this within the time and resources available.

You can choose whether to study the programme full time or part time at our Edinburgh campus or full time at our Orkney campus. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. The programme begins in September and the course will last 12 months full time in Edinburgh or Orkney or 24 months part time in Edinburgh.  

You’ll have the opportunity to engage in field work in Malaysia through the optional fully credited Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management course. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the marine environment whilst learning different techniques for surveying and monitoring coral reefs. Take a look at our experiences during our Malaysia field trip in 2024.

Information for international students

If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Fees and funding

Scholarships and bursaries