Marine Environmental Management

Entry requirements

Normally at least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject is required, although a 2:2 with relevant experience will be considered. Applicants from non-science backgrounds will be considered, particularly where applicants have had work experience in the field of conservation/wildlife management.

Months of entry

October

Course content

• Explore the relationships between coastal and marine ecosystems and human activity
• Includes an international field course to the Maldives with up to ten dives possible, and UK based field work
• Gain transferable skills for marine environmental management
• Delivered by internationally recognised experts
• Study in a location surrounded in coastal and marine biodiversity
• Dissertation can involve external placement/s
• Learn to use “R” and GIS

The ocean covers 71% of the surface of the Earth, but when depth is accounted for, occupies 97% of the volume of the biosphere. This means that the sea and life within it has a profound influence on the processes which keep the planet habitable. Yet until recently the ocean has been neglected in terms of management and protection, despite growing evidence of adverse impacts from a long list of human influences, such as overfishing, habitat damage and biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change.

Global attention is now turning rapidly to how to safeguard ocean life and the people and industries that depend on it, leading to increasing demand for trained practitioners of marine environmental management. The MSc Marine Environmental Management delivers this training, giving you a thorough grounding in a wide diversity of marine ecosystems, their ecology, functioning, and values to people.

The programme explores the diverse ways in which human activities affect marine life and introduces management approaches to alleviate pressures from activities such as fisheries, tourism, coastal development and climate change. It examines in depth the science and practice of creating and managing marine protected areas to safeguard marine life and promote human livelihoods and wellbeing.

Why choose the University of Exeter for Biosciences?

• Our department is top 10 in the UK for world-leading and internationally excellent research*
• We are 10th for Biological Sciences in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
• We are 7th in the world for Ecology in the ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019
• You'll have access to high-quality research supervision, with ongoing research worth more than £50 million

*Research Excellence Framework 2014, based on the percentage of research categorised as 4 star and 3 star

Fees and funding

Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for exemption. For further information about paying fees see our Student Fees pages.

Additional course costs

When participating in field courses, you will need to cover the cost of any relevant immunisations, if necessary. You will be required to provide your own mask, fins, snorkel, booties and thin wetsuit, if you prefer to wear one. Additional costs may be incurred for your research project, depending on what you choose to study.

UK government postgraduate loan scheme

Postgraduate loans of up to £10,609 are now available for Masters degrees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

University funding

The Funding website has information on all available options for funding open to prospective students of taught Masters programmes. You can also use the searchable database of all Scholarships and Bursaries to find funding for which you are eligible.

Global Excellence Scholarship

We are delighted to offer Global Excellence Scholarships for students of outstanding academic quality applying to postgraduate Taught programmes starting in autumn 2020.
Please note that this scholarship isn't offered for all our masters programmes.

HT Foundation Scholarship

The HT Foundation Scholarship of up to £30,000 is available for a student currently resident in Hong Kong or mainland China, pursuing one of the following programmes from September 2020:

• MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
• MSc Conservation Science and Policy
• MSc Global Sustainability Solutions
• MSc Marine Environmental Management
• MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
• MSc Sustainable Development

The scholarship has been funded through philanthropy, by a major donor based in Hong Kong.

More information and how to apply »