Marine & Coastal Management (Taught)

With marine ecosystems under increasing pressure, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater. This Masters in Marine & Coastal Management equips you to explore the environmental, social, and economic forces shaping coastal regions, and to develop practical strategies for sustainable conservation through a whole systems approach.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This programme explores marine and coastal challenges using an integrated, whole-systems approach that addresses social, environmental, and economic factors.

• You will be taught at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability at our Dumfries Campus, an ideal location that gives you access to a range of coastal and marine environments.

• Working with local authorities, communities, and leading industry professionals, you will gain real-world experience in marine coastal planning and management.

• Our teaching staff is made up of both academic and industrial experts, ensuring your knowledge is grounded in current industry practices and developing trends.

• Designed with employability at its core, the programme was co-developed with industry experts to ensure real-world relevance and impact.

• You’ll engage with global frameworks including the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, preparing you to lead positive change in marine and coastal resilience.

• You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to world-class research in marine and coastal management.

• Through personalised enterprise and leadership coaching, you’ll build the confidence and skills to lead and manage evolving challenges in marine and coastal ecosystems.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Core courses provide essential subject knowledge and skills in coastal policy analysis, economic, social, and environmental risk assessments, marine ecology, and research methods required to design coastal plans.

Learning and teaching on this programme consists of a variety of methods including classroom lectures and seminars with problem-based learning activities, case study simulations, policy debates and discussions, interactive workshops, research, work placements, and fieldwork. Group work is an integral feature of the programme and is embedded in the various methods of learning and delivering the courses.

There is also a strong emphasis on applying new knowledge via self-directed study in the field. These subject-specific research skills, data analysis, presentation, and GIS will be developed through extended projects, skills, and summative assessments. To produce graduates who can work in diverse settings, you will also learn from academic and industry experts from the global north and south.

You will take four core and two optional courses across two semesters. During the summer you will either undertake a dissertation or a work placement.

Core courses
Advanced Techniques in Coastal Area Planning
Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics
Principles and Practices of Coastal Area Planning
Research Methods in Environmental Risk and Management

Recommended optional courses
Environmental Ethics and Behaviour Change
Environmental Politics and Society
Ecology, Environment and Conservation
Environmental Communication
Principles of Environmental Risk and Management

Research project
Dissertation or Work Placement

CAREER PROSPECTS

This programme will produce graduates who have a deep understanding of the competing and often conflicting uses of coastal resources and environment, and sustainable solutions to these issues. Graduates can work for NGOs and national or international marine and coastal organisations, with roles such as:
Coastal and marine policy advisors, Environmental impact assessors, Environmental consultants, GIS and geospatial analysts, Researchers, Legislators.