Marine Systems and Policies MSc
The University of Edinburgh
Student rating
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( 4.2) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

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Location

The King's Buildings Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-26

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Duration

1 Year

Course info

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Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

Location

The King's Buildings Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-26

Duration

1 Year

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Course info

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? And 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. As a student, the programme centres a lot with the United Nation’s ...Read more

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? And 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. As a student, the programme centres a lot with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water but our programme’s interdisciplinarity will help you find links to all SDGs. 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. You can 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 as well as domestic and overseas 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 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 Is this MSc for me? Rising up to the challenge of sustainable ocean development requires interdisciplinary solutions. Interested in doing an MSc that truly respects and integrates interdisciplinarity into your degree program? Ours is for you. 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 from local people, social scientists, governments, industry, and experts in marine law how these ecosystems are used, valued, and managed.

Key stats

  IDP Connect
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
12th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
18th
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

I like it so far, however, I'm thinking about changing the accommodation as I don't like it.The city is beautiful, but people aren't that..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

I am very keen on history so Edinburgh is te pecfect place for me with it's wonderfull architecture and historical places.I love going out with my friends and the campus is Nt far..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in natural sciences or social sciences, but with clear evidence of experience and interest in marine topics.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£18,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£18,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

£18,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

£18,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

£38,800 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£38,800 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Standard single room - 9950 per year

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Politics reviews

Politics
Politics
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
History and Politics - MA (Hons)
I like it so far, however, I'm thinking about changing the accommodation as I don't like it.The city is beautiful, but people aren't that...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
History and Politics - MA (Hons)
I am very keen on history so Edinburgh is te pecfect place for me with it's wonderfull architecture and historical places.I love going out with my friends and the campus is Nt far...
Read more
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How Politics students rated:

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How all students rated:

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( 4.2) 443 reviews
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Uni info

The University of Edinburgh
Grant Institute Kings Buildings, W Mains Rd Edinburgh EH9 3DW United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Edinburgh Waverley  1.0 miles away
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