Addressing the growing skills gap for marine restoration and conservation
Course Overview
Swansea University is home to the world’s first MSc in Marine Restoration and Conservation; a unique and exciting 12-month programme focused on equipping you with the skills to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time - restoring our ocean ecosystems.
This MSc is well positioned to meet a critical global need. The UN have declared this as the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”, with numerous international frameworks now highlighting the urgent need for the restoration of ocean habitats, and for nations to be meeting vital carbon reduction goals. The programme also neatly aligns with the Welsh and UK Governments’ marine conservation and restoration plans, ensuring strong prospects for you as a graduate.
The university's beach-side location creates a living restoration laboratory on our doorstep with excellent research facilities and research vessel that are designed for coastal and offshore teaching and experiential learning to equip you with core skills in marine restoration and conservation. You will work alongside world-leading scientists on projects like seagrass and saltmarsh restoration, gaining valuable conservation experience.
In one of Europe’s largest controlled aquatic research facilities, you’ll develop aquatic husbandry and applied research skills across conservation-sensitive and commercially important species. Modules offer opportunities to study threatened species in their natural habitats, design species recovery action plans, and engage in marine conservation initiatives. You will also conduct independent research on key restoration topics, enhancing your expertise in marine restoration and conservation.
With growing global awareness and funding for ecosystem restoration, this MSc equips future marine scientists with the skills and experience to restore and protect our oceans for generations.
Why Marine Restoration and Conservation at Swansea?
Swansea University is uniquely positioned to lead in this field due to location, facilities and expertise in marine restoration and conservation. Our location on the Welsh Coast provides direct access to diverse marine and coastal environments, conservation and restoration sites. Our research vessel and state-of-the-art facilities for sustainable aquatic husbandry and seagrass restoration support teaching and research, and students will be taught and supervised by world-leading researchers in marine restoration and conservation.
Swansea University has offered a marine biology programme for over 50 years, supported by an interdisciplinary team of experts. The department has led key projects, including the Handbook of the Marine Fauna of Northern Europe and playing lead roles in supporting major pieces of science communication (National Geographic Great Migrations, BBC Blue Planet) and being global leaders in understanding the movements of ecology of marine vertebrates. Biosciences is also home to one of Europe’s largest controlled aquatic research facilities, the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR), which supports conservation-sensitive and commercially important species through research on welfare, enrichment, nutrition, and larval production.
This MSc has been created as a direct response to the urgent need for trained professionals and researchers in marine conservation, restoration, and sustainable resource management. Marine biologists at Swansea University have been at the forefront of research and innovation in marine restoration. They have led the UK’s first major seagrass restoration programme, developed guidelines for seagrass restoration and are leading the way in pushing forward the science of this topic internationally. This work is not limited to seagrass and has involved major contributions to saltmarsh restoration and the science underpinning this work in Wales and further afield. Research in support of mangrove restoration is also underway in The Gambia where our team are working with local communities to improve degraded marine habitats. Under the complete definition of ecological restoration is the need to consider ecosystem rehabilitation. Our team includes researchers at the forefront of marine conservation initiatives to enhance and rehabilitate existing marine species and habitats.
Our research strengths include restoration initiatives for critical habitats such as seagrass, oyster reefs and salt marshes, and developing the mathematical and quantitative foundations for rewilding. Swansea has founded flagship programmes like Project Seagrass, and the Fishbee Group, which lead cutting-edge research on ecosystem restoration and the sustainability of blue carbon ecosystems. This expertise, combined with our established connections with industry and regulatory partners, positions Swansea as a world leader in marine conservation and restoration education.
Singleton Park Campus provides additional specialist laboratories, computing suites, and research spaces, while field-based learning is enhanced by the use of the university’s coastal research vessel, the Mary Anning, enabling you to conduct offshore surveys, habitat assessments, and species monitoring. These resources ensure you will gain the practical and technical experience necessary for careers in marine conservation and restoration.
You will be studying as part of our Biosciences Department, which is internationally recognised for its research, and ranked:
Top 301-350 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024), and
100% of our Research Environment is Rated as World-leading and Internationally Excellent (REF 2021), and
97% of our Research Outputs Have Been Recognised as World-leading and Internationally Excellent (REF 2021)
Your Marine Restoration and Conservation Experience
This programme emphasises interactive, hands-on learning through fieldwork and lab-based projects, encouraging you to build the key skills that enable you to tackle real-world marine restoration and conservation challenges. You will have opportunities to work with Swansea’s marine restoration and conservation experts, while engaging with local and global conservation organisations, helping you to build meaningful networks and feel part of a larger community dedicated to ocean restoration.
The skill set necessary for successful restoration and conservation programmes has been reviewed and integrated into the MSc course. For example, animal husbandry, larval culture, habitat mapping and GIS, environmental monitoring and modelling, field surveys, Red List assessments, species recovery action planning, statistics and experimental design, science writing and communication. While many key skills are entire degree programmes, we equip students with a strong grasp of major themes and their impact on restoration and conservation.
In addition to this, you will also gain essential conservation and restoration expertise by using internationally recognised assessment techniques (e.g. for IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), participating in fieldwork focused on conservation planning in tropical or temperate marine environments, and engaging in restoration fieldwork in temperate ecosystems.
Regular academic mentoring, career development sessions, and networking events with industry professionals will ensure that you feel supported both academically and professionally.
Throughout this programme, you will:
Lead the way in marine restoration. Learn cutting-edge conservation and restoration techniques, from rebuilding seagrass meadows to restoring saltmarshes and rebuilding fish populations.
Get hands-on experience. Take part in fieldwork, laboratory research, and plan species recovery programmes, gaining real-world skills that employers value.
Be able to evaluate scientific sources to make evidence-based decisions on marine conservation.
Turn science into action. Understand how restoration aligns with major global initiatives, such as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the EU’s Restoration Law.
Build a career with impact. Prepare for exciting roles in a rapidly growing sector.
Marine Restoration and Conservation Employment Opportunities
Global policy shifts and funding initiatives are rapidly elevating the need for trained conservation and restoration scientists, with billions of pounds being pledged by governments to protect our habitats. The private sector is also recognising the importance of restoration, with large corporations leading substantial restoration projects.
Moreover, as the UK government moves toward implementing its marine net gain requirements, and the Welsh Government spearheads efforts, including the world’s first national Seagrass Action Plan, the demand for skilled restoration scientists will only increase.
The MSc in Marine Restoration and Conservation is designed to develop you into a highly skilled, adaptable, and entrepreneurial graduate, that is ready to tackle the challenges of marine ecosystem restoration and conservation, and take advantage of the exciting and rewarding employment opportunities being offered in the field.
By combining scientific expertise, innovation, leadership, and professional competencies, you will be well-equipped for careers in this rapidly expanding field. Potential employment destinations include:
Conservation & Environmental Organisations
International NGOs (WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Project Seagrass, and Conservation International)
Marine Conservation Charities (Marine Conservation Society, Blue Marine Foundation)
Coastal and Marine Restoration Projects Across the World
Government & Policy Roles
UK Government Bodies (DEFRA, Natural England, Marine Management Organisation)
Welsh Government (Natural Resources Wales, Marine Policy and Sustainability Roles)
European Commission & International Regulatory Bodies (UNEP, IUCN, IPBES)
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Management and Enforcement Agencies
Carbon and Biodiversity Credit Market Roles Linked to Marine Restoration Financing
Modules
Throughout the programme you will study 180 credits, comprising of six 20-credit taught modules (four compulsory and two optional), and culminating in a 60-credit unique research project between June and September.
Ideally, applicants will hold a 2:2 undergraduate degree (with 55% average), or equivalent, in a related discipline.
If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification such as the IELTS test (with an overall score of at least 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each component).
Teaching is delivered by leading researchers, who are actively involved in marine restoration and conservation projects, ensuring that you can learn from experts in this field. Through independent and group research projects, you will explore key issues such as species recovery, ecosystem rehabilitation, and conservation policy.
A strong emphasis is placed on field-based and experiential learning, recognising that marine restoration is inherently practical and must be grounded in real-world application. You will engage in immersive field courses across diverse environments, applying restoration techniques in coastal, estuarine, and offshore ecosystems.
Collaborations with industry partners, NGOs, and government agencies will provide you with exposure to conservation projects. This allows you to actively contribute to the rehabilitation of marine habitats, applying learned theory to practice, and gaining invaluable first-hand experience.
The programme also ensures you are equipped with essential digital skills. Training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the potential of using remote sensing data will enable you to analyse and visualise conservation data. Additionally, workshops will introduce you to the use of big data in conservation planning.
Our interdisciplinary group projects enable you to design and present restoration strategies to stakeholders. Marine policy and governance simulations will further enhance your ability to navigate regulatory frameworks, while a capstone conservation project will allow you to design, implement, and evaluate your own restoration initiatives.
The programme also offers industry mentorship and networking opportunities, including guest lectures from leading professionals. Work placements and internships provide hands-on experience, allowing you to apply your learning and build key connections.
Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this
course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an
element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate
your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what
is possible.
Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the
University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel
Teifi is here to support you:
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The opportunity to create and submit your coursework or sit your exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
The opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
You will be taught by world-class lecturers who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as environmental conservation, marine restoration, applied conservation, climate change mitigation and species monitoring, help to change the world for the better.
Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.
You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.
International students and part-time study:
It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation.
It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.).
Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.
Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies.
To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's
scholarships and bursaries
page.
Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.
For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.
Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.
You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):
Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies
Fieldwork: all costs are covered for fieldwork during taught modules in the UK. When participating in international field courses, you will need to cover the cost of travel and accommodation and any visas and immunisations, if necessary. Approximate costs are shown in module descriptions.
Please note that you will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. snorkel equipment, and binoculars.
Additional costs may be incurred for your research project, depending on what you choose to study.
As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your
personal tutor, the Centre for Academic
Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas
such as:
Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).
In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,
mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have
Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and
requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.
We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application
deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can
find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.
