General information
The MSc in Marine Systems and Policies is unique across Europe as it embraces a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to understand the functionality of marine environments, and the roles of humans in relying upon marine ecosystems for survival and prosperity. It approaches marine systems as an integrated socio-ecological system through focusing on three spheres of marine systems:
- Marine natural systems: exploring diverse scales and functions of key marine biomes, habitats and species, spanning islands, coasts, estuaries, continental shelves, polar seas and global oceans.
- Marine policy systems: examining different ways in which society governs coastal and marine ecosystems and services, through formal policies, laws and informal cultural customs and practices.
- Marine built systems: looking at 'blue growth' e.g. the ingenuity and impacts of human built environments in marine settings, from re-shaping coastlines for cities, travel and trade, to the urbanization of ocean environments through innovations in energy infrastructure.
A combination of core courses, optional courses and field work enables you to develop skills and capacities around personal intellectual, analytical, practical, methodological and experiential goals. Core courses consist of a balance of lectures, seminars, lab practicals and may include field trips. In addition to the core courses, you will select 60 credits from a very broad range of elective courses across the School of GeoSciences and other Schools across the University. The requirement for the degree of MSc is the completion of courses and a dissertation worth a total of 180 credit points.
Compulsory parts:
- Marine Systems and Policies
- Marine Infrastructure and Environmental Change
- Marine Field Methods in Research and Practice
- Research Project in Marine Systems and Policies
- Dissertation
Information about our international and local field trips.
As indicated in marine 'core' courses, this programme has an international field trip to a tropical marine island setting in which we use a 'social-ecological system' approach, looking at ecological, geomorphological and social aspects of small island ecosystems and societies, facing a range of issues from climate change and trying to balance both conservation and blue growth-development goals. In 2015 and 2016 we have gone a marine lab on an atoll the Maldives, which is rich in both cultural and biophysical complexity. Read more about the MaHre marine lab on their website.
During the course of the programme we also do a range of local field trips in Scotland through the year, e.g. in Induction Week at the start in September and Dissertation Retreat at the end in August. For all of the field trips - including the tropical international trip - the full travel and accomodation costs are covered by the Marine MSc Programme. Students are expected to provide their own snorkel and dive gear.
Students who wish to SCUBA dive will need to have completed and have records of at least 10 dives beyond basic certification (e.g. beyond Padi Open Water).
Employability. This MSc will be an excellent foundation for working at international, national or local levels for think tanks, consulting firms, government and NGOs where an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems, policy and infrastructure is needed.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
School of GeoSciences, Institute of Geography
Drummond Street, Central Campu, Edinburgh EH8 9XP
Application
Click here to apply: http://www.ed.ac.uk/pg/872
Cost:
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:600px"> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>2016/2017</strong></td> <td><strong>Full-time 1 year</strong></td> <td><strong>Part-time 2 years</strong></td> <td><strong> Part-time 3 years</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Home/EU</strong></td> <td>£13.00</td> <td>£6.500</td> <td>£4.335</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Overseas/International</strong></td> <td>£19.00</td> <td>£9.500</td> <td>£6.335</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
Prerequisites:
Degree Requirements
A UK 2:1 first degree, or its international equivalent, in natural sciences or social sciences or engineering. Applicants holding a UK 2:2 honours degree or its international equivalent, may also be considered, particularly if you have substantial work experience in a related area.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications (minimum score) as evidence of your spoken and written English.
- IELTS: 7.0 (with no score lower than 6.0 in each section)
- TOEFL-iBT: 100 (with no score lower than 20 in each section)
- PTE: 67 (with no score lower than 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections - "Enabling Skills" section scores are not considered)
- Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency 185 (with no score lower than 169 in each section)
Application Procedure:
Application process: When you apply, you will need to supply:
- A personal statement
- One academic reference
- Copies of transcripts or certificates of your academic and/or professional qualifications (with official translations if these are not in English)
If you meet the requirements for the programme, you will be made an offer. If you have met all of the entry requirements this will be an 'unconditional offer' which means that you do not need to provide any further documentation.
If you have not yet met all of the entry requirements, for example, if you have not yet completed your degree or if you have not provided a suitable English language qualification, you may be made a 'conditional offer', until you meet all of the entry requirements. In this case, you will be asked to provide the required documents, and once you have done so, you should be made an unconditional offer.
We aim to make a decision on applications within three weeks of the submission of a COMPLETE application. If any documents are missing, we will request them from you.
To apply, you need to complete the online application form (see the Apply Online link below).
If you have a question relating to the application process please e-mail: sciengra@ed.ac.uk
You do not have to complete your application in one session, but you must complete the form fully before your application will be considered.
As part of the application we ask you to write a personal statement. Please ensure you complete this section as fully as possible. You should include the following details:
- Why you have applied to study MSc Marine Systems and Policies
- How your experience and skills are relevant to the programme
There are not formal admission deadlines, but applying early is advised.
Application Deadline: you are encouraged to apply at least one month prior to entry so that there is enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then you are strongly recommended to apply as early as possible.
Grant Opportunities:
MSc Marine Systems and Policies Scholarships
The School of GeoSciences offers many Scholarships and Bursaries for Masters students.
- Scottish Funding Council Highly Skilled Workforce Full Fee Scholarship (UK/EU Students)
- Head of School Scholarships
- George David Family Scholarship (for applicants resident in Greece or Cyprus)
- Derek and Maureen Moss MSc Scholarship
- New UK Government Postgraduate loans for 2016
- UK/EU Masters Scholarships
- UK Masters Access Awards
- Witherspoon Scholarships (Princeton University Graduates Only)
- Graduate Discount
Postgraduate Funding search
GeoSciences Scholarship Website
Regulations:
Teaching modes vary with courses but may include:
- Formal lectures on targeted topics and case studies from around the world
- Informal lectures with questions and group discussion
- Reading lists from key peer-reviewed social and natural science literature
- Practical classes including computer and decision tree modelling on some courses
- Verbal feedback on previous practical work
- A chance to question lecturers on their expert topics
Assessment modes vary with courses but may include:
- Short written responses and reviews of key readings and literature
- Formal essays demonstrating critical thinking and analytic of complex topics;
- Essay based exams on key content of courses
- Group and individual visual and verbal presentations on case study topics
- Group and individual poster session materials on case study topics
Part time studies:
Committed to helping people back into Education whilst continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments, you may study any of our Masters programmes part time over either two or three years.
You are advised to discuss your study options with the Programme Director.
The requirement for the degree of MSc is the completion of courses and a dissertation worth a total of 180 credit points.
As a rough guide, your study pattern might be as follows:
- MSc over two years - in year one you will take most of the taught courses and carry out research preparation, and in year two you will take the remaining courses and focus on your research project.
- MSc over three years - in year one you will take about half of the taught courses, in year two you will take the remaining courses and carry out preparatory work on your research project, and in year three you will focus on your research project and produce your dissertation.
Qualification
Assessment:
- Short written responses and reviews of key readings and literature
- Formal essays demonstrating critical thinking and analytic of complex topics
- Essay based exams on key content of courses
- Group and individual visual and verbal presentations on case study topics
- Group and individual poster session materials on case study topics
Qualification: Master of Science
Credits:
The MSc in Marine Systems and Policies is unique across Europe as it embraces a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to understand the functionality of marine environments, and the roles of humans in relying upon marine ecosystems for survival and prosperity. It approaches marine systems as an integrated socio-ecological system through focusing on three spheres of marine systems:
- Marine natural systems: exploring diverse scales and functions of key marine biomes, habitats and species, spanning islands, coasts, estuaries, continental shelves, polar seas and global oceans.
- Marine policy systems: examining different ways in which society governs coastal and marine ecosystems and services, through formal policies, laws and informal cultural customs and practices.
- Marine built systems: looking at 'blue growth' e.g. the ingenuity and impacts of human built environments in marine settings, from re-shaping coastlines for cities, travel and trade, to the urbanization of ocean environments through innovations in energy infrastructure.
A combination of core courses, optional courses and field work enables you to develop skills and capacities around personal intellectual, analytical, practical, methodological and experiential goals. Core courses consist of a balance of lectures, seminars, lab practicals and may include field trips. In addition to the core courses, you will select 60 credits from a very broad range of elective courses across the School of GeoSciences and other Schools across the University. The requirement for the degree of MSc is the completion of courses and a dissertation worth a total of 180 credit points.
Compulsory parts:
- Marine Systems and Policies
- Marine Infrastructure and Environmental Change
- Marine Field Methods in Research and Practice
- Research Project in Marine Systems and Policies
- Dissertation
Information about our international and local field trips.
As indicated in marine 'core' courses, this programme has an international field trip to a tropical marine island setting in which we use a 'social-ecological system' approach, looking at ecological, geomorphological and social aspects of small island ecosystems and societies, facing a range of issues from climate change and trying to balance both conservation and blue growth-development goals. In 2015 and 2016 we have gone a marine lab on an atoll the Maldives, which is rich in both cultural and biophysical complexity. Read more about the MaHre marine lab on their website.
During the course of the programme we also do a range of local field trips in Scotland through the year, e.g. in Induction Week at the start in September and Dissertation Retreat at the end in August. For all of the field trips - including the tropical international trip - the full travel and accomodation costs are covered by the Marine MSc Programme. Students are expected to provide their own snorkel and dive gear.
Students who wish to SCUBA dive will need to have completed and have records of at least 10 dives beyond basic certification (e.g. beyond Padi Open Water).
Application process: When you apply, you will need to supply:
- A personal statement
- One academic reference
- Copies of transcripts or certificates of your academic and/or professional qualifications (with official translations if these are not in English)
If you meet the requirements for the programme, you will be made an offer. If you have met all of the entry requirements this will be an 'unconditional offer' which means that you do not need to provide any further documentation.
If you have not yet met all of the entry requirements, for example, if you have not yet completed your degree or if you have not provided a suitable English language qualification, you may be made a 'conditional offer', until you meet all of the entry requirements. In this case, you will be asked to provide the required documents, and once you have done so, you should be made an unconditional offer.
We aim to make a decision on applications within three weeks of the submission of a COMPLETE application. If any documents are missing, we will request them from you.
To apply, you need to complete the online application form (see the Apply Online link below).
If you have a question relating to the application process please e-mail: sciengra@ed.ac.uk
You do not have to complete your application in one session, but you must complete the form fully before your application will be considered.
As part of the application we ask you to write a personal statement. Please ensure you complete this section as fully as possible. You should include the following details:
- Why you have applied to study MSc Marine Systems and Policies
- How your experience and skills are relevant to the programme
There are not formal admission deadlines, but applying early is advised.
Application Deadline: you are encouraged to apply at least one month prior to entry so that there is enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then you are strongly recommended to apply as early as possible.
- Short written responses and reviews of key readings and literature
- Formal essays demonstrating critical thinking and analytic of complex topics
- Essay based exams on key content of courses
- Group and individual visual and verbal presentations on case study topics
- Group and individual poster session materials on case study topics
Employability. This MSc will be an excellent foundation for working at international, national or local levels for think tanks, consulting firms, government and NGOs where an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems, policy and infrastructure is needed.
Degree Requirements
A UK 2:1 first degree, or its international equivalent, in natural sciences or social sciences or engineering. Applicants holding a UK 2:2 honours degree or its international equivalent, may also be considered, particularly if you have substantial work experience in a related area.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications (minimum score) as evidence of your spoken and written English.
- IELTS: 7.0 (with no score lower than 6.0 in each section)
- TOEFL-iBT: 100 (with no score lower than 20 in each section)
- PTE: 67 (with no score lower than 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections - "Enabling Skills" section scores are not considered)
- Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency 185 (with no score lower than 169 in each section)
Teaching modes vary with courses but may include:
- Formal lectures on targeted topics and case studies from around the world
- Informal lectures with questions and group discussion
- Reading lists from key peer-reviewed social and natural science literature
- Practical classes including computer and decision tree modelling on some courses
- Verbal feedback on previous practical work
- A chance to question lecturers on their expert topics
Assessment modes vary with courses but may include:
- Short written responses and reviews of key readings and literature
- Formal essays demonstrating critical thinking and analytic of complex topics;
- Essay based exams on key content of courses
- Group and individual visual and verbal presentations on case study topics
- Group and individual poster session materials on case study topics
Part time studies:
Committed to helping people back into Education whilst continuing to work or managing family and personal commitments, you may study any of our Masters programmes part time over either two or three years.
You are advised to discuss your study options with the Programme Director.
The requirement for the degree of MSc is the completion of courses and a dissertation worth a total of 180 credit points.
As a rough guide, your study pattern might be as follows:
- MSc over two years - in year one you will take most of the taught courses and carry out research preparation, and in year two you will take the remaining courses and focus on your research project.
- MSc over three years - in year one you will take about half of the taught courses, in year two you will take the remaining courses and carry out preparatory work on your research project, and in year three you will focus on your research project and produce your dissertation.
