Master of Marine Conservation

All our courses are offered online at the moment for international students because of the COVID-19 pandemic border closures in New Zealand.

With the increasing pressures on the marine environment, both in the South Pacific region and worldwide, experts in the conservation and management of marine organisms and ecosystems are in demand.

As a world leader in marine conservation, New Zealand is a great place to develop your expertise in the field. Its unique and lengthy coastline is home to numerous marine organisms—from the tiny phytoplankton to the endangered New Zealand sea lion.

Study with the School of Biological Sciences, a leader in marine biology research. Examine marine conservation issues and practise using examples from New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific and wider Indo-Pacific region, which can be applied worldwide.

Marine Conservation can be studied through two qualifications. The Master of Marine Conservation (MMarCon) is a taught Master's with no thesis component and is the only taught Marine Conservation Master's degree in New Zealand.

Or you can choose to study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Conservation (PGCertMarCon), a shorter qualification for those who want to expand their expertise into a new area of interest.

©Victoria University of Wellington

Hands-on learning

Apply the theory you learn by going into the field to study different marine environments and ecosystems as part of the course field trips during the year, both in New Zealand and abroad.

Gain practical experience in the collection, analysis, and communication of data related to marine conservation and learn what life is like as a real marine conservationist.

Study options

Marine Conservation can be studied through two qualifications. The Master of Marine Conservation (MMarCon) is a taught Master's with no thesis component and is the only taught Marine Conservation Master's degree in New Zealand.

Or you can choose to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Conservation (PGCertMarCon), a shorter qualification for those who want to expand their expertise into a new area of interest.

Community

Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues. You'll have opportunities to attend events, workshops, social functions, and seminars.

The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information and provides a voice for you on campus.

Returning to study

Many students return to university for postgraduate study after several years away. If it's been a while since you've studied, our liaison officers can help you get back into university life.

Advance your expertise with a PhD study

A PhD is the highest academic qualification offered by the School of Biological Sciences. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics.

Usually, entry into PhD study requires an Honours degree or a Master's with a research thesis. If you're thinking of continuing on to PhD study, you can take a research-based, special topics paper as one of your course choices to help you with entry requirements.

As a PhD candidate at Victoria, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.

Workload

If you are studying full time you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours of work.

Online study

The Master of Marine Conservation programme is available as an online study option, meaning you can earn a Master’s qualification from a location that suits you.

If you wish to study this course online, there is a more limited range of courses available in the partially online programme pathway.

Trimester 1 (3 courses if full-time)

• BIOL 424—New Zealand Conservation Practice: This course includes field trips in New Zealand, which run before the trimester begins. Students must attend the field trips in person. (Core programme course)
• BIOL 420—Conservation Ecology (optional)
• BIOL 423—Marine Ecology and Biodiversity (optional)
• ERES 501—Ecological restoration (optional)

Trimester 2 (3 courses if full-time)

• BIOL 519—Principles of Marine Conservation (Core programme course)
• BIOL 529—Tropical Marine Conservation Practice: This course includes a field trip to Australia (June) or Indonesia (August) in alternate years. Students must attend the field trip. (Core programme course)
• BIOL 405—Invasive Species, Biosecurity, and Law (optional)
• BIOL 410—Fisheries Science (optional)

You may be able to replace one of the courses above with BIOL 440—Directed Individual Study, which could include a research project and can be completed online. Contact the programme director for more details.

Duration

The Master of Marine Conservation can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, or in 24 months part-time.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Marine Conservation can be completed in six months of full-time study or in 12 months part-time.

You'll gain skills and knowledge in a wide range of areas within the conservation and management of marine organisms and ecosystems, in both temperate and tropical climates. You might find work at Crown Research Institutes, private research institutes or with national government agencies managing marine conservation and fisheries.

Other organizations you may work with include regional authorities such as city, regional and district councils, consultancy firms carrying out contract marine biology work or non-government agencies and not-for-profit organizations.