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Marine Science, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Heriot-Watt University

the United Kingdom

Heriot-Watt University

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MSc, Postgraduate DiplomaFull-time, Part-timefind outSeptemberGBP 8200GBP 20160

About Marine Science, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma - at Heriot-Watt University

The oceans do not exist in isolation but are in constant interaction with the atmosphere and underlying geology receiving energy from the sun and to a lesser extent from geothermal sources. The highly interdisciplinary field of Marine Science, the study of the oceans from the deep sea to shallow coastal seas, aims to understand the biology, chemistry, geology and physics of this dynamic system so central to all our lives.

This course offers students with a background in marine biology, geology or geography the opportunity to integrate their expertise in the wider marine science context.

The course has one core module and offers a wide variety of options with maximum flexibility allowing students to pursue their studies either at our Orkney Campus or in Edinburgh.

Industry links

Throughout the course, students are provided with internal expert supervision as well as opportunities to work with external partners, both in the UK and internationally. Examples of partners we have worked with in the past are:

  • 5 Oceans  (5OES)
  • ESS Ecology
  • Marine Conservation International
  • Marine Science Scotland (MSS)
  • Marine Services, Orkney Island Council
  • NEVIS MARINE
  • Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC)
  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
  • Scottish Natural Herritage
  • Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)

Will Whittington, MSc Marine Science, talks about why he thinks Heriot-Watt stands out from the crowd.

Notes about fees for this course

Status*Full-timePart-timePer courseScotland / Non-UK EU£8,200£4,100£1,025England / Northern Ireland / Wales£8,200£4,100£1,025Overseas£20,160£10,080£2,520

* If you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees.

** Fee per course

Additional fees information

**This course consists of a total of 8 modules. The dissertation fees are incorporated into these costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate taught scholarships.

Entry requirements

Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have:

  • Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area.
  • For postgraduate conversion programmes, non-related degrees will be considered.
  • Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:

  • An honours degree in a related subject area plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience post qualification.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the number of successful applicants will be restricted.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Heriot-Watt University is committed to providing opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Prior learning at postgraduate level is normally recognised to gain exemption from individual modules within a course based on an existing academic qualification. Note that the prior learning must have been rated at the level of the modules for which RPL is sought, yet credits from an award already held by an applicant can only contribute to a higher award in the same discipline, e.g. from PG Diploma to MSc. If you believe that you qualify for RPL, please contact the Learning & Teaching Support Team via [email protected], who will guide you through the RPL application procedure.

The school will only consider students' requests for RPL at the time of application for their course of study.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above.

Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5);
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills);
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)

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As an international student you may require a valid visa to study at Heriot-Watt University. Read more about the requirements in our Guide to the United Kingdom International Student Visa Requirements.