Marine Ecosystem Management (MSc)

Program Overview

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Marine Ecosystem Management (MSc) 2025 entry

Overview

Gain a superior understanding of marine systems and develop the skills needed for a career in research and management.

Application Deadline

Friday 25 July 2025

Duration

One year full time

School

School of Biology

Fees

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Why Study This Course?

The programme takes a holistic approach to understanding ecosystem function and services, and draws on the quantitative and diverse academic expertise within the University's Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI).

Highlights

• Modules include intense training in quantitative techniques (for example, statistical modelling and GIS).
• You might have the exciting opportunity to conduct fieldwork locally as part of a core module and further afield as part of optional field courses (extra cost applicable) on our Antarctica Polar Ecology module or on the Scientific Diving module.
• Core modules in marine ecosystem function, management and conservation are complemented by a selection from optional modules including biologging, population biology, fisheries research, and estimating abundance.
• Stimulating, small class sizes with a focus on student-led, experiential learning.

Teaching

Delivered through lectures, tutorials, debates, workshops, and seminars.

Class Sizes

Groups range from 5 to 30 students, depending on the module.

Research Project

A written dissertation and presentation of a poster at the MSc student conference.

Practicals

Involve lab work, field work, modelling and computer-based data analysis.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment.

Semester 1

• Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: provides core biological and methodological classes covering environmental drivers, marine biodiversity and ecosystem function, their importance and evaluation; module involves local boat-based data collection and analysis, including an introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management.
• Mathematical and statistical modelling for Biologists: applies mathematical ideas to questions in biology and introduces methods for fitting models to biological data mainly using R software.

Semester 2

• Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems: introduces the concept of 'ecosystem-based management', exploring its development from more simplistic, single-species approaches.
• Marine Conservation Case Study: explores in detail the ecological and socio-economical issues and approaches to managing stakeholder interests in a local marine ecosystem (with field day trips).

Students choose two optional modules. Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

• Current Issues in Biologging: presents an introduction to the theory and practice of logging and relaying physical and biological data using animal-attached tags.
• Estimating Animal Abundance and Biodiversity: introduces the main types of survey methods for wildlife populations.
• Fisheries Research: provides an introduction to the utilisation of fish stocks in a sustainable way.
• Population Biology: covers the essentials of population dynamics and population modelling including population genetics, trophic interactions and spatial dynamics.
• Predator Ecology in Polar Ecosystems - Antarctica: theoretical and practical field course including a vessel-based trip to Antarctica (requires payment of an expedition fee, offered only if international travel conditions allow).
• Scientific Diving: field course at a tropical diving location (requires suitable diving qualifications and payment of expedition fee, offered only if international travel conditions allow).

Research Project

Throughout the academic year, students complete a research project which will culminate in a written dissertation and the presentation of a poster at the MSc student conference. Projects may involve some fieldwork but will be primarily focused on the analysis of existing data. Students can choose from a range of projects suggested by supervisors and also take an active role in designing their own project plan.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

The aim is that graduates of this course will be part of the next generation of managers and marine scientists delivering integrated ecosystem management around the world.

Graduates of the course have undertaken careers in government agencies, environmental consultancies and the commercial marine sector, both within the UK and abroad.

Many MSc graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere. PhD students at the School of Biology at St Andrews have the opportunity to undertake a research degree in their chosen subject area where research interests span the breadth of biological science.

Why St Andrews?

Events

The MSc is enhanced by a busy programme of conferences, seminars and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and abroad. This includes regular departmental seminars in the Scottish Oceans Institute, the Centre for Research in Ecological and Environmental Modelling and the St Andrews BioNetwork, a great social and academic forum bringing together PhD and Masters students at different stages of their training.

Entry Requirements

• A first or 2.1 (Honours) undergraduate degree in a relevant natural science. Other scientific, engineering or mathematics degrees may be acceptable. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• Training in advanced mathematics and statistics (at least to UK school AS/A-level, Higher, International Baccalaureate or equivalent).
• Very good baseline IT skills including word-processing, spreadsheet use, email and internet.
• English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications. If you require a visa to study, see visas information.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, it is highly desirable for applicants to have:

• relevant field or lab experience from previous employment, project or volunteer work
• further IT skills, e.g. programming, database software and statistical packages for analysing (such as MATLAB, SPSS, SAS or R)
• dedicated calculus or statistics modules at university level.

Application Requirements

• CV
• completed supplementary Marine Ecosystem Management MSc application form (Word)
• two original signed academic references
• academic transcripts and degree certificates

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Fees and Funding

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Biology scholarships