MSc Climate Change: Managing the Marine Environment
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Key information
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Mode of delivery
- On-campus
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
- Duration
- 1 year
- Qualification
- MSc
Contact
Contact our enquiries team
Contact usOverview
Large global changes, and climate change in particular, are having significant impacts on the environment. The study of impacts and mitigation/adaptation measures in the marine environment requires a truly interdisciplinary approach. It is essential that scientists, engineers and environmental decision-makers understand the fundamentals of the causes, impacts and management measures involved in dealing with such important issues. The programme specialises in the challenges facing the marine environment and is part of the University's programme of teaching and research in climate change related issues. There are a variety of optional courses available but the core courses are listed below.
Tropical Coral Reef course
Tropical Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management is an optional course. It involves a two-week field trip to Malaysia where students are given the opportunity to explore the marine environment whilst learning different techniques for surveying and monitoring coral reefs. See this short film from the 2016/17 course.
September 2024 entry
The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
Course content
Year 1
Students take eight taught courses and a dissertation. There are three core courses and an optional course in semester 1. In semester 2 students take two core courses and choose two optional courses from a list of options. A dissertation is undertaken in semester 3.
Semester 1
Core
- Marine Resources and Sustainability
- Applied Research Design and Analysis
- Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation
Optional
- Environmental Processes
- Economics of Renewable Energy
- Introduction to Marine Planning
- Oceanography
- Transition Engineering - Achieving zero carbon InTime
- Diversity of Marine Organisms
- Marine Ecotoxicology
Semester 2
Core
- GIS for Marine and Environmental Scientists
- Marine Environmental Monitoring
Optional
- Marine Biotechnology
- Tropical and Coral Reefs: Monitoring and Management
- Practical Skills in Marine Biotechnology
- Energy Transition Lab
- Practical Skills in Marine Surveying
Semester 3
Core
- Environment Dissertation
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Status [footnote 1] | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 10736 | 5368 |
| Overseas [footnote 2] | 26976 | 13488 |
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.
Entry requirements
Entry
Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:
- Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area
- For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered
- Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered
PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.
Recognition of Prior Learning
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Admissions Team (studywithus@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.
Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.
All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.
We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
Employability
Below are just a few examples of the wide breadth of employment or PhD positions our recent graduates have secured:
- Blair Easton (2018) is a researcher at St Abbs Research Station
- Allan Cochrans (2016) has secured a PhD at Stirling University
- David Hill (2015) is Strategic Business and Finance Manager, Scottish Government
- Theofilos Sidiropoulos (2015) has secured a position at Gardine Geosciences Ltd.
- Tetrienne Box (2013) is now Underwater Noise Advisor at JNCC.
- Melodie Hermier (2010) is now clinical data manager with Aptiv Solutions.
- Kerri Gardiner (2010) initially worked for Jacobs engineering and is now a senior scientist with Intertek involved in developing EIAs (risk/toxicity) for drilling and pipelines for the oil industry as well as subsea cable projects.
- Cella Carr (2010) has secured an internship with the Zoological Society of London, working on their Biodiversity and Oil Palm Programme in Indonesia
- Renier (Dutch) Zoutenbier (2011) is an Environmental Consultant with Royal Haskoning at their Exeter Offices, responsible for Industry, Energy and Mining
- Charles-Eric Deplanck (2010) works as a fisheries observer for Oceanic Développement, based in Concarneau (Brittany)
You can find more examples and discuss the programme and the effect it has had on their careers with current students and alumni at our dedicated Facebook site.
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