Marine and Coastal Ecology University of Cumbria

Overview

Throughout the Marine and Coastal Ecology course from University of Cumbria, you’ll engage with both local and international case studies—diving deep into areas such as the Solway Firth, Morecambe Bay, and the Irish Sea, while also expanding your understanding to regions including North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.

You’ll combine essential theoretical learning with hands-on experience, preparing you for a career in marine conservation, resource management, environmental consultancy, or policy development. Key themes include marine ecology, fisheries management, pollution control, marine spatial planning, and research skills. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped for both professional and academic roles in the field of marine and coastal ecology.

On this course you will...

• Study marine and coastal ecology in one of the UK’s most ecologically diverse coastal regions. With access to the Solway Firth, Morecambe Bay, and the Irish Sea, you will benefit from hands-on learning in estuaries, intertidal zones, salt marshes, and temperate reefs right on the university’s doorstep.
• Gain a global perspective with local application. This programme combines international best practice in marine science and conservation with real-world application to UK and Cumbrian ecosystems, preparing you to work on coastal and marine issues anywhere in the world.
• Be equipped with the practical skills, ecological knowledge, and critical thinking needed for careers in conservation NGOs, government agencies, environmental consultancy, and academia.
• Learn from an interdisciplinary and research-driven curriculum. The programme integrates ecology, oceanography, GIS, fisheries science, and marine policy, with opportunities to develop research proposals and undertake field- or lab-based dissertation projects on issues that matter to communities and ecosystems.
• Access expert faculty and collaborative networks. You will learn from a team of experienced researchers and practitioners with international backgrounds in marine conservation, supported by the University’s growing network of partners in academia, conservation, and environmental consultancy.