Course summary
Swansea University is home to the world’s first MSc in Marine Restoration and Conservation; a unique and exciting 12-month programme focused on equipping you with the skills to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time - restoring our ocean ecosystems. This MSc is well positioned to meet a critical global need. The UN have declared this as the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”, with numerous international frameworks now highlighting the urgent need for the restoration of ocean habitats, and for nations to be meeting vital carbon reduction goals. The programme also neatly aligns with the Welsh and UK Governments’ marine conservation and restoration plans, ensuring strong prospects for you as a graduate. The university beach-side location creates a living restoration laboratory on our doorstep with excellent research facilities and research vessel that are designed for coastal and offshore teaching and experiential learning to equip you with core skills in marine restoration and conservation. You will work alongside world-leading scientists on projects like seagrass and saltmarsh restoration, gaining valuable conservation experience. In one of Europe’s largest controlled aquatic research facilities, you’ll develop aquatic husbandry and applied research skills across conservation-sensitive and commercially important species. Modules offer opportunities to study threatened species in their natural habitats, design species recovery action plans, and engage in marine conservation initiatives. You will also conduct independent research on key restoration topics, enhancing your expertise in marine restoration and conservation. With growing global awareness and funding for ecosystem restoration, this MSc equips future marine scientists with the skills and experience to restore and protect our oceans for generations. Singleton Park Campus provides additional specialist laboratories, computing suites, and research spaces, while field-based learning is enhanced by the use of the university’s coastal research vessel, the Mary Anning, enabling you to conduct offshore surveys, habitat assessments, and species monitoring. These resources ensure you will gain the practical and technical experience necessary for careers in marine conservation and restoration. You will be studying as part of our Biosciences Department, which is internationally recognised for its research. Biosciences at Swansea is ranked: • 100% of our Research Environment is Rated as World-leading and Internationally Excellent (REF 2021) • Top 301-350 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024), and • 90% of our Research Outputs Have Been Recognised as World-leading and Internationally Excellent (REF 2021)
Modules
Throughout the programme you will study 180 credits, comprising of six 20-credit taught modules (four compulsory and two optional), and culminating in a 60-credit unique research project between June and September.
Assessment method
A strong emphasis is placed on field-based and experiential learning, recognising that marine restoration is inherently practical and must be grounded in real-world application. You will engage in immersive field courses across diverse environments, applying restoration techniques in coastal, estuarine, and offshore ecosystems. Collaborations with industry partners, NGOs, and government agencies will provide you with exposure to conservation projects. This allows you to actively contribute to the rehabilitation of marine habitats, applying learned theory to practice, and gaining invaluable first-hand experience. The programme also ensures you are equipped with essential digital skills. Training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the potential of using remote sensing data will enable you to analyse and visualise conservation data. Additionally, workshops will introduce you to the use of big data in conservation planning. Our interdisciplinary group projects enable you to design and present restoration strategies to stakeholders. Marine policy and governance simulations will further enhance your ability to navigate regulatory frameworks, while a capstone conservation project will allow you to design, implement, and evaluate your own restoration initiatives.
Entry requirements
Ideally, applicants will hold a 2:2 undergraduate degree (with 55% average), or equivalent, in a related discipline. If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification such as the IELTS test (with an overall score of at least 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each component).
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP