Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience

Program Overview

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Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience (MSc)

Award

Master of Science

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton), Highfield and Boldrewood

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

Gain knowledge of coastal, ocean, and seafloor behaviour relevant to the design of coastal and offshore infrastructure on this master's course. You'll develop valuable skills in applied geoscience to deal with hazards such as erosion, flooding, and habitat degradation to marine environments.

As a graduate with an Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree, you'll develop the skills needed to address the complex challenges facing our marine environments and increased demand for resources.

You'll be able to devise and inform sustainable solutions that support the transition to low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient economies and societies. With your expertise you'll make a difference to our planet and its people.

You'll develop:

• your ability to create adaptive and sustainable solutions as a team
• experience in designing resilient coastal and marine infrastructure
• strong analytical skills for data collection and analysis
• knowledge of characterising coastal and ocean behaviour

Course content is delivered in partnership between the School of Ocean and Earth Science, and the School of Engineering. Through this multi-disciplinary approach, you'll cover topics in coastal engineering and environmental management. You'll be able to use your combined knowledge of these areas across a wide range of careers and sectors.

Accredited by IMarEST, this course also has strong links with the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute and the Sustainability and Resilience Institute, giving you additional access to training, learning, and skills development.

Designed with input from employers, this course aims to prepare you for a career in coastal and offshore geoscience. It includes:

• experiential learning through computer programming and practical laboratory sessions
• field and boat-based exercises aboard the University Research Vessel RV Callista
• training for industry standard tools and software
• networking opportunities with potential employers through guest lectures and field visits

Course lead

This course is lead by Dr Hachem Kassem. Hachem is a coastal engineer and oceanographer. His expertise lies in experimental, numerical, and field investigations of coastal hydrodynamics and sediment transport.

His research interests include:

• nearshore hydrodynamics and coastal sediment dynamics
• coastal and ocean engineering and flow-structure-seabed-biota interactions
• adaptive, nature-inclusive solutions to climate-mediated geohazards
• turbulence, boundary layers and loose boundary hydraulics

You can view Hachem's staff profile for more information.

Accreditations

Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

Facilities

Towing tank

Our towing tank is the largest university towing tank in the UK. It simulates a range of sea states to test ship design and performance.

National Infrastructure Laboratory

This facility contains 5 engineering laboratories. It carries out research into improving and developing infrastructure.

Course locations

This course is based at Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton), Highfield and Boldrewood.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

To study on our Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree you'll need a 2:1 or equivalent degree in a STEM subject, such as:

• physical sciences
• engineering
• oceanography
• marine science
• earth sciences
• mathematics
• physical geography

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:

IELTS score requirements

• overall score: 6.5
• 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.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

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.

Got a question?

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

Course structure

This Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience course is structured to provide you with the full range of expertise required for success in the geoscience sector. It's available to study full-time for one year.

Modules that include field trips have alternative online resources. If you're unable to attend in-person, virtual field trips will be provided, and reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate students. This is to ensure all students can achieve the same course outcomes.

Semester 1 overview

Your first semester provides a core understanding of coastal and ocean processes and engineering. This includes modules, such as:

• Coastal Sediment Dynamics
• Key Skills and Applied Coastal Oceanography
• Coastal and Maritime Engineering
• Coastal Morphodynamics

During this semester, you'll start to develop your dissertation project ideas.

Semester 2 overview

In your second semester, you'll apply your skills and knowledge in applied geology to a range of contexts. This includes hazard assessment, provision of renewable energy, and infrastructure design. You'll cover the following modules:

• Flood Modelling and Mitigation
• Offshore Engineering and Analysis
• Sea Level Rise and Coastal Management
• Seafloor Exploration and Surveying

In this semester, you'll start working on your dissertation project for submission in September.

Learning and assessment

Learning

Throughout your studies on our Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree, you'll develop knowledge in subject areas from science and mathematics to engineering analysis and practice.

You'll learn through a blend of:

• lectures
• seminars
• field and laboratory classes
• workshops
• independent study and research

Field trip learning opportunities will be spread across several modules. They include locations such as Hayling Island, Hurst Spit, Hengistbury Head, Christchurch Harbour, and the Thames Barrier. You'll gain practical skills and experience through boat work activities within Southampton Water and the Solent, which are essential for standing out to employers.

During your laboratory sessions you'll use facilities such as the Geotechnical Centrifuge and the Coastal Research Laboratories.

Assessment

Each module will contain a practise assessment for you to test your understanding of the subject. We'll provide feedback to help you identify knowledge gaps and make improvements. Following a practise assessment, you'll complete a formal assessment that contributes to your module mark.

Formal assessments may include:

• laboratory and field reports
• computer and boat-based practical sessions
• coding exercises
• boat work reports
• essays
• presentations
• individual and group projects

Dissertation

You’ll have the choice to complete your dissertation under the School of Engineering or the School of Ocean and Earth Science.

School of Engineering

As part of this project, an industrial placement is strongly encouraged and facilitated. You will undertake independent and original research on a relevant topic, which you’ll then submit through a dissertation and presentation.

You’ll need to submit a scoping study as part of this project. The study represents an investment of 60 hours of research on your chosen topic. It should include a short background review and it should outline your methodology. This study must be passed, and you’ll have multiple attempts in order to do this.

School of Ocean and Earth Science

This project will be based on a question often associated with a larger research project. It also includes four months of full-time work investigating a topic related to environmental science.

As part of your assessment, you’ll complete a:

• research project worth 80%
• research proposal worth 10%
• project seminar worth 10%

Careers and employability

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.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £31,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

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

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

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

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

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

Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience (MSc) is a course in the Ocean and Earth science and Civil engineering subject areas. Here are some other courses within these subject areas:

• MSc Geophysics
• MSc Global Marine Resource Management
• MSc Marine Environment and Resources
• MSc Ocean and Earth Science by Research
• MSc Oceanography