Marine Planning and Management MSc at University of Liverpool

This multidisciplinary programme is designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required to take up the exciting job opportunities arising from the recent adoption of marine spatial planning and related developments in marine conservation and the maritime industries.

Marine spatial planning is now developing as a key component of marine management. It aims to deliver a more organised sharing of sea space between demands as diverse as nature conservation, tourism, ports and shipping, renewable energy, fishing, aquaculture and mineral extraction.  It seeks to integrate social, economic and environmental uses of the coast and sea.

Marine planning is being taken up by coastal nations around the world, including Australia, China, the United States of America, South Africa and several European nations, such as Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Some nations, such as the UK, now have statutory provisions for planning their coastal and marine waters and bodies and procedures for preparing marine plans and implementing them.  All European Union coastal states are now required to introduce marine planning, following a Directive passed in 2014.

So there is a growing demand for professionals who understand marine science and management on the one hand, and spatial planning, as has long been practised on land, on the other. This postgraduate programme bridges the gap between these two disciplines, and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to embark on a career within marine management.

Career prospects

The course aims to prepare future employees of organisations that will be closely involved in marine management and marine planning initiatives in the coming years.  Potential employers include: national government departments and agencies with marine responsibilities; regional and local government coastal authorities; and marine NGOs, stakeholder groups and industrial interests concerned with maritime sectors such as energy, fisheries, nature conservation, ports and shipping, leisure and tourism and the coastal economy.  Career opportunities are likely to arise in many geographical contexts around the world, including in less and more developed nations and emerging economies.