Marine Conservation and Sustainability MSc

Overview

The world’s oceans and their ecosystems have never been under as much pressure as they are today.

We designed this programme for anyone who wants to make a difference and improve our oceans. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills to make the positive change required to improve the outlook of the oceans.

Our research-active staff ensure our curriculum is globally relevant and cutting-edge. You’ll improve your practical, professional, and research skills so that you’re ready for the next step in your career.

This degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers in marine management and sustainability. You’ll graduate as a skilled, knowledgeable, experienced, and well-connected professional.

We welcome applications from diverse disciplines. This course is perfect for anyone passionate about:

• marine ecosystems
• conservation
• coastal communities

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MSc - Master of Science

An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:

• subject-specific taught modules
• a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words

You'll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.

A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or research project.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.

What you'll learn

You’ll study five core modules during the first two semesters. These modules will prepare you for independent research in semester three.

Research project

In your third semester, you’ll complete a four-month research project. The project will be linked to one of our marine science research groups.

With the support of a supervisor, you’ll work with one of our UK or international partner organisations.Your project can align with your research interests and career goals. 

Together, you’ll:

• co-develop a proposal
• conduct the research over the summer
• produce a dissertation report

Some previous projects have focussed on:

• structural and functional integrity of ecosystems
• biological and socio-economic drivers of ecosystem change
• governance and management of resource use

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Marine Conservation and Sustainability MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Quantitative Ecological Research Methods	20
Consultancy Dissertation Project	80
Geographical Information systems and Remote Sensing	20
Dynamics of Coupled Human-Natural Systems	20
Understanding Marine Ecosystems	20
Marine Consultancy Project Planning	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You’ll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical sessions
• personal supervision
• independent study

You’ll split your time between the University’s city-centre campus, the Dove Marine Laboratory, and the Princess Royal research vessel.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Report
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your development

We have strong links with a wide network of national and international marine organisations. These partnerships have been fostered over decades of working with and in the marine sector.  

Our students have worked with a variety of organisations on their research projects.

• Major international consultancies: AMEC, ERM, Natural Power, Vatenfall
• National government agencies: Natural England, MMO, Environment Agency, Association of IFCAs, Cefas, Defra
• Local managers: Durham Heritage Coast, NIFCA, NEIFCA
• European projects: C-Scope
• Local niche consultancies: CTL Consult, Envision Mapping, Environment Systems
• Conservation NGOs: Oceana

Research skills

Join a welcoming marine science research community. You’ll develop your research skills with support from our post-doctoral scientists, technicians, and academic staff.

Our marine science research groups are part of extensive national and international networks. Recent partnerships and collaborations include: 

• Environment Agency
• Natural England
• Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
• University of the West Indies (Barbados)
• National Oceanographic Centre Southampton (NOCS)
• University of Costa Rica
• North Sea Regional Advisory Council
• Haribon Foundation
• Oceana
• UK Hydrographic Office

Your future

Gain the professional, research and practical skills you need to progress your career in industry or academia. This programme will prepare you for a career in a range of industries, including:

• academia
• government agencies
• non-governmental organisations

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Our location offers the perfect setting to study marine conservation and sustainability.

With the UK coastline on our doorstep, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out of the classroom and gain hands-on experience.

You’ll also have access to the University’s Dove Marine Laboratory and our research vessel, The Princess Royal.

Dove Marine Laboratory

Facilities at the Dove Marine Lab include:

• deep water tanks, with a water depth of 3m
• main aquarium for large-scale experiments
• five experimental cabinets for smaller tank experiments

The Princess Royal research vessel

This catamaran has an operational area around the North-East coast of England.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events