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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Ocean Leadership
About the course
The Master of Ocean Leadership develops future leaders to address global oceans challenges.
The Master of Ocean Leadership (MOL) provides graduates from any field with ocean-related leadership skills and expertise across marine science, engineering, law, resource economics, and environmental management. This will enable graduates to strategically address human challenges in ocean systems and to implement solutions for the future of our coasts and seas.
Students will be equipped to work in multidisciplinary contexts to lead and contribute to effective teams. The course is a highly interactive program designed to be flexible and challenging for professionals and recent graduates alike.
Who should enrol
The course is aimed at those working in areas that involve detailed knowledge of the ocean environment and marine resources, as well as their management and regulation. The course is designed to meet the needs of undergraduate students with a passion for solving oceans problems and working for marine resource companies, government and regulatory agencies, renewable energy initiatives, marine NGOs, aquaculture ventures, and the fisheries sector.
Research strengths in ocean leadership
At UWA, ocean research is focused on addressing key ocean challenges by delivering ocean-based solutions. Providing multidisciplinary capabilities and excellence in marine research and technology, the team provides an integrated approach to the challenges of sustainable ocean resources, resilient ecosystems, informed marine governance, and understanding ocean exploration.
The UWA Oceans Institute includes over 100 of the world's most recognised ocean engineers, marine scientists, oceanographers, and oceans governance specialists.
Quick details
- Status: Available
- Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
- Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
- Delivery: On-campus
- Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
- Weekly contact time: 12 hours per unit including contact hours, personal study, and examinations.
- Level of study: Postgraduate
- Course Code: 62540
- CRICOS code: F
- Full time/part time duration: 1.5-2 years of full-time study (depending on the requirement to include conversion units).
- Degrees course is available in: Master of Ocean Leadership
Why study this course?
- This course is unique, with no similar programs in Australia.
- You'll get to work closely with the UWA Oceans Institute which includes over 100 of the world's most recognised ocean engineers, marine scientists, oceanographers, and oceans governance specialists.
- While studying this course, you will engage with industry and get practical hands-on experience.
You'll learn to
- Apply disciplinary, and multi-disciplinary, knowledge in problem-solving.
- Think critically about cross-cutting issues effectively, including those at the intersection of conservation and utilisation of the ocean environment and resources.
- Demonstrate sound judgment in presenting recommendations and potential solutions to ocean challenges.
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of principles of leadership and management as they apply to ocean-related activities.
- Understand how disciplines and sectors need to work together to address challenges facing the oceans.
- Critically analyse ocean issues from industry, non-governmental, and governmental perspectives.
Course structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
Core
- Take all units (48 points):
- BIOL4407 Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management (6)
- EART4415 Coastal Hazards and Adaptation (6)
- LAWS5577 Governing the Commons: Oceans, ice, and outer space (6)
- MGMT5523 Becoming a Leader: Perspectives on Leadership Development (6)
- OCEN4003 Strategic Leadership for the Blue Economy (6)
- OCEN4005 The Indian Ocean Environment (6)
- OCEN5001 Ocean Data Analysis (6)
- OCEN5002 Ocean Engineering and Technology (6)
Option - Group A
- Take units to the value of 48 points from Group A or Group B, including at least 36 points at Level 5.
- BIOL4400 Advanced Marine Mammal Science (6)
- BIOL5504 Sex in the Sea (6)
- BUSN5100 Applied Professional Business Communications (6)
- ECON4410 Environmental and Resource Economics (6)
- ECON5001 Economic Development in Theory and Practice (6)
- ECON5516 The Economics of Public Policy (6)
- ENVE4405 Ecological Engineering and Nature-based Solutions (6)
- ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications (6)
- GENG5505 Project Management and Engineering Practice (6)
- GEOG5502 Conservation, Development, and Sustainability (6)
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6)
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law (6)
- MGMT5506 Ethics and Sustainability Management (6)
- MGMT5508 Organisational Behaviour and Leadership (6)
- MGMT5526 Principles for Responsible Management (6)
- MGMT5660 Applied Project Management (6)
- MKTG5503 Enterprise and Innovation (6)
- MKTG5604 Technology Commercialisation (6)
- PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning (6)
- POLS5010 NGOs, Governance, and Development (6)
- POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy (6)
- POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
- POLS5661 Approaches to International Relations (6)
- POLS5681 Governance in the International System (6)
Option - Group B
- Take unit notes as per the sequences notes in Group A.
- BIOL4408 Marine Ecology (6)
- CIVL5505 Design of Offshore Energy Facilities (6)
- ECON5511 Climate, Energy, and Water Economics (6)
- ENVE4403 Fluid Transport, Mixing, and Dispersion (6)
- ENVT5512 Ecosystem Biogeochemistry (6)
- ENVT5518 The Sustainable Development Goals (6)
- GENG5501 Coastal and Offshore Engineering (6)
- GENG5506 Renewable Energy (6)
- GENG5507 Risk, Reliability, and Safety (6)
- OCEN4007 Renewable Ocean Energy (6)
- OCEN5511 Ocean Leadership Research Project Part 1 (6)
- OCEN5512 Ocean Leadership Research Project Part 2 (6)
- SCIE5505 Global Change and the Marine Environment (6)
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this course, an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent.
Ranking and Selection Process
Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA, and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.
Domestic Student Fees for Full-Fee Paying Places
If you're not eligible for a Commonwealth-supported place, you will be charged a for Full-Fee Paying place. For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.
Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation. More information on how fees are calculated.
International Student Fees
Annual course fee
2025
$50,700.00
Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.
Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership, and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Search Scholarships
Cost of living
There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks, and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.
