MSc Global Marine Resource Management

Program Overview

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Global Marine Resource Management (MSc)

About this course

Explore the relationship between marine resources and society, with a particular focus on sustainability. You’ll study both in the UK and Hong Kong as you take a holistic approach to the study of the Earth's marine systems and processes.

The marine environment is the largest ecosystem on our planet. It provides essential ecological services to all living things and a large variety of goods to society. As the resources on land deplete, the proper management of marine resources becomes increasingly important to our long-term sustainability.

This double award master's degree will give you the opportunity to:

• get hands-on training on board our research vessels as you explore the processes operating on marine ecosystems
• build a highly competitive, cross-national skillset as you study in the UK and Hong Kong
• learn to make scientific, evidence-based recommendations to the public, businesses, and governmental stakeholders

Studying at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), you’ll benefit from the expertise of both, as well as access to a wide range of bespoke facilities and international connections.

Upon graduating, you’ll be prepared for a career within private entities, NGOs, and governmental agencies, or for further studies.

Course lead

Your programme lead is Dr Charlie Thompson, a Coastal Scientist, Lecturer, and Director of the Channel Coastal Observatory.

Charlie has research interests in coastal monitoring and sediment dynamics.

Course location

This course is based at Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton).

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Entry requirements

You must hold a Bachelor's degree in the following, with honors not lower than the second class or with an overall GPA not less than 70%:

• Ocean Science
• Marine Science
• Life Science
• Environmental Science
• Earth Science

English is the medium of instruction at The University of Southampton (UoS) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 7.0
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s degree studied over 12 months. In semester 1 you’ll work with us at NOCS in the UK. In semester 2, you’ll work with HKUST in Hong Kong. You’ll begin your individual research project in semester 2 and finish it off during the summer in semester 3.

Semester 1 overview

You’ll take part in a dedicated masters ‘Boatweek’ event, where you’ll get hands on training in marine science and geology sampling, measurement and observation techniques on board the School of Ocean and Earth Science (SOES) research vessels.

Additional practical work in the SOES research and teaching laboratories will help to familiarise you with concepts introduced in the modules.

Beyond the core introductory modules, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of optional modules that explore topics anywhere from deep sea ecology, to shelf seas and shelf edge dynamics.

Semester 2 overview

You’ll undertake a range of field visits designed to provide real-world examples of the material taught in the modules. These include visits to:

• the Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre
• Mai Po Nature Reserve
• Fish Marketing Organisation
• the Hong Kong Maritime Museum
• the Tung Lung Chau mariculture demonstration farm
• the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

The Ocean Research Facility provides direct access to high quality seawater, and a large-scale aquarium to support a diverse range of research activities. There are also opportunities for voluntary reef survey work over the summer semester.

You’ll also begin your individual research project, which will be co-supervised by teaching staff from Hong Kong and Southampton. This will culminate in a project seminar and dissertation. The topic of your research project will vary depending on your interests. Previous project titles have included:

• Microplastics impacts on benthic systems
• Fisheries management using isotropic tracing
• Coastal ecosystem restoration potential around Hong Kong

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Global Marine Resources Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 2
• Global Marine Resources Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 1
• Introduction to Biological Oceanography
• Introduction to Chemical Oceanography
• Introduction to Marine Geology
• Introduction to Physical Oceanography
• MSc Key Skills for Global Marine Resources Management Students

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Exploration Geophysics
• Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System
• Coastal Morphodynamics
• Computational Data Analysis for Ocean and Earth Scientists
• Shelf Seas and Shelf Edge Dynamics

Learning and assessment

You'll learn through a variety of:

• lectures
• seminars
• laboratory work
• boatwork
• field exercises
• group exercises
• activities with external organisations

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• written examinations
• oral presentations
• essays
• poster presentations
• laboratory experiment write ups
• fieldwork/boatwork reports

Dissertation

All students carry out a major individual research project, finishing with a project seminar and dissertation that is assessed by both your supervisor and independent second marker. Your individual research project topics will vary depending on your interests.

Academic Support

You'll have access to:

• a core team of academic staff that will provide personalised pastoral and academic guidance
• equipment to support your field work, including laptop computers, GPS, specialised shipboard data, and more
• training on our research launch, the RV Callista, which is fully equipped for boatwork practicals and project work

The program office at HKUST will provide:

• orientation events and induction programs
• first meetings for students to get acquainted with their Personal Academic Advisors

Careers and employability

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Creativity

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Higher education
• Research institutes
• Laboratories
• Charities
• Government Organisations
• Think Tanks
• Ocean Survey companies
• Renewable energy organisations
• Port and harbour authorities
• DEFRA
• The Environment Agency
• Higher education
• Marine monitoring organisations
• Local authorities

Careers directly related to this course:

• Natural resource officer
• National park service ranger
• Marine researcher
• Science policy advisor
• Coastal engineer
• Coastal technician

Wider career opportunities:

• University lecturer
• Meteorology technician
• Change analyst
• Project manager
• Environmental planner
• Researcher
• Science teacher

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Global Marine Resource Management graduates:

• Programme officer
• Decision science analyst
• Sustainability executive
• Environmental consultant
• Field studies tutor
• Hydrographic surveyor
• Marine biologist and aquarist
• Marine laboratory scientist
• Wildlife guide
• Environmental manager

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)|University of Southampton (UoS)
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Deposit| HK$25,000|Fall semester| | £9,573 (Non-UK students)£3,084 (UK students)Spring semester| HK$45,000|Summer semester| HK$40,000|

Find out more about this course's fees and expenses.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Extra costs you might have to pay

The program fee does not cover any personal expenses, including, but not limited to, the cost of travel to Southampton and Hong Kong as well as the cost of living in both places, and the cost of necessary visas.

We do, however, offer some accommodation options for taught postgraduate students.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology does not provide on-campus accommodation to students of taught postgraduate programs. For assistance in finding off-campus accommodation, please contact Off-campus Housing Section (OCHS) by email or visit Off-Campus Housing.

You can also visit the forum managed by Mainland Students and Scholars Society (MSSS), a student organization at HKUST for more information.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is handling applications.

To apply, submit your application through the HKUST admissions system, together with the required documents.

Find out more about the application process.

Application deadlines

Online application for the intake opens in September 2024, and closes in June 2025.

We recommend applying as early as possible to allow sufficient time for your student visa applications, personal preparation, and your arrival at England and Hong Kong.

Supporting information

You may be required to submit supporting information for your application.

Find out more about the kinds of documents that you'll likely have to submit.

What happens after you apply

The application process is managed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

All applications are processed through the HKUST admissions system.

Find out more about the application process.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Related courses

Global Marine Resource Management (MSc) is a course in the Ocean and Earth science subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience
• MSc Geophysics
• MSc Marine Environment and Resources
• MSc Ocean and Earth Science by Research
• MSc Oceanography

Program Outline

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Careers:

This programme will prepare you for careers in areas like: marine resources management marine resources exploration oceanography environmental conservation research or education This could mean job opportunities within groups like: government agencies, e.g. British Antarctic Survey; the Environment Agency global corporationsnature conservation groups research laboratories commercial consultancies research or education Because of the unique, cross-national nature of this course, you’ll also benefit from professional networks in Hong Kong, the UK and beyond, with the HKUST Career Center providing recruitment news, career development events and consultation with career advisors.