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Marine Systems and Policies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Rapid climate change and the global expansion of human activities threaten the world's oceans. How do we realistically balance development with ocean conservation in a rapidly changing climate? How do we do this in ways that are also equitable and fair to society? Our MSc programme places you right at the forefront of the fast-paced interface between marine science and policy that deals with these sustainability challenges. This broad programme is built around the science and policies spanning tropical to polar ecosystems, from wetlands and estuaries to the deep-sea, including the abyss. From the outset, you will learn how marine ecosystems are structured and how they function from research-active marine ecologists and oceanographers. You will also learn how these ecosystems are used, valued, and managed from:

  • local people
  • social scientists
  • governments
  • industry
  • experts in marine law
During the programme, you will learn how to apply marine science and knowledge to critically evaluate and enrich policies and influence how new policies can be created through science communication. You will get to learn from real-world practitioners and people with lived experiences through global case studies and field trips. These experiences will be under the guidance of a research-active team of highly supportive and motivated university scientists with decades of experience at the science-policy interface from grassroots to international levels. The capstone of your programme is an independent marine research dissertation project. It will be designed by you and a supervisor or host on a topic of your choice. You can either conduct an internship or a placement for your dissertation in either a desk-based, lab-based, or field-based setting. By the end of your programme, you will be highly equipped with a portfolio of skills that employers are looking for, and that will support a future academic PhD career, including:
  • policy analysis
  • applied marine scientific survey and social science skills
  • science communication
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.

Modules

See the University of Edinburgh website for detailed programme information.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.

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

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.
Marine Systems and Policies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS