Postgraduate

Master of Oceanography

Challenge yourself with Australia’s only Master of Oceanography while gaining a unique experience at UWA
1.5-2
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

The Master of Oceanography has core units that seek to ensure students have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

Job opportunities could include:

Oceanographer

Oceanographers broadly understand and inter-relate all aspects of the ocean. Examples include the processes that drive ocean currents, how the oceans regulate our climate, and the links between ocean chemistry and biological processes. Oceanographers are employed in many areas including companies who operate in the oceans, consulting companies who advise industry or government, and government agencies. Specific tasks oceanographers undertake may include:

    • Understanding the physical, chemical and/or biological processes in the ocean
    • Predicting oceanographic processes like waves and currents for a range of applications (e.g. industry-access and public-access forecasting)
    • Studying the links and predicting the impacts of climate change on the ocean environment and biology
    • Collecting and analysing oceanographic datasets
    • Predicting how ocean processes impact a range of activities such as shipping, aquaculture, and marine renewables
    • Assisting in the design of marine infrastructure
    • Providing input to marine managers, governments, and the general public on how ocean processes impact a range of societal issues (e.g. marine parks)

    Coastal Manager/Officer

    Government agencies that have oversight or an interest in the coast typically employ coastal managers or officers. Coastal managers/officers are key to developing and enacting coastal planning measures and ensuring safe and continued access to the coast for the general public. As a coastal manager/officer your tasks may include:

      • Developing short- and long-term plans to address coastal erosion and flooding associated with climate change
      • Developing coastal erosion and inundation mitigation strategies
      • Overseeing coastal mitigation works
      • Assisting in the design of coastal protection structures, coastal access facilities, and marine facilitates (e.g. ports)
      • Communicating coastal hazards to the general public and industries situated on the coast
      • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

      Coastal and Oceanographic Consultant

      Given the complexity of coastal and oceanographic processes many government agencies and industries hire specialised consultants to conduct studies and advise them on a range of activities. As a coastal or oceanographic consultant your tasks may include:

        • Assessing and mitigating coastal erosion and inundation hazards
        • Collecting and analysing marine and coastal data sets
        • Advising government and industry on coastal and marine infrastructure design
        • Deploying and delivering real-time data streams to inform marine operations
        • Designing and enacting marine monitoring programs
        • Developing and delivering marine forecasts
        • Assessing marine impacts from proposed coastal and marine developments
        • Designing and enacting mitigation strategies for industrial impacts to the marine environment
        • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

        Other job opportunities may include:

          • Coastal Geologist
          • Meteorologist 
          • Fisheries Scientist
          • Marine Conservation Specialist
          • Marine Geochemist
          • Applied Ocean Scientist
          • Climate Scientist
          • Ocean Data Scientist

The Master of Oceanography has core units that seek to ensure students have strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

Job opportunities could include:

Oceanographer

Oceanographers broadly understand and inter-relate all aspects of the ocean. Examples include the processes that drive ocean currents, how the oceans regulate our climate, and the links between ocean chemistry and biological processes. Oceanographers are employed in many areas including companies who operate in the oceans, consulting companies who advise industry or government, and government agencies. Specific tasks oceanographers undertake may include:

    • Understanding the physical, chemical and/or biological processes in the ocean
    • Predicting oceanographic processes like waves and currents for a range of applications (e.g. industry-access and public-access forecasting)
    • Studying the links and predicting the impacts of climate change on the ocean environment and biology
    • Collecting and analysing oceanographic datasets
    • Predicting how ocean processes impact a range of activities such as shipping, aquaculture, and marine renewables
    • Assisting in the design of marine infrastructure
    • Providing input to marine managers, governments, and the general public on how ocean processes impact a range of societal issues (e.g. marine parks)

    Coastal Manager/Officer

    Government agencies that have oversight or an interest in the coast typically employ coastal managers or officers. Coastal managers/officers are key to developing and enacting coastal planning measures and ensuring safe and continued access to the coast for the general public. As a coastal manager/officer your tasks may include:

      • Developing short- and long-term plans to address coastal erosion and flooding associated with climate change
      • Developing coastal erosion and inundation mitigation strategies
      • Overseeing coastal mitigation works
      • Assisting in the design of coastal protection structures, coastal access facilities, and marine facilitates (e.g. ports)
      • Communicating coastal hazards to the general public and industries situated on the coast
      • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

      Coastal and Oceanographic Consultant

      Given the complexity of coastal and oceanographic processes many government agencies and industries hire specialised consultants to conduct studies and advise them on a range of activities. As a coastal or oceanographic consultant your tasks may include:

        • Assessing and mitigating coastal erosion and inundation hazards
        • Collecting and analysing marine and coastal data sets
        • Advising government and industry on coastal and marine infrastructure design
        • Deploying and delivering real-time data streams to inform marine operations
        • Designing and enacting marine monitoring programs
        • Developing and delivering marine forecasts
        • Assessing marine impacts from proposed coastal and marine developments
        • Designing and enacting mitigation strategies for industrial impacts to the marine environment
        • Rehabilitating and enhancing coastal and marine environments and habitats

        Other job opportunities may include:

          • Coastal Geologist
          • Meteorologist 
          • Fisheries Scientist
          • Marine Conservation Specialist
          • Marine Geochemist
          • Applied Ocean Scientist
          • Climate Scientist
          • Ocean Data Scientist

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$46,400.00
2025
$49,000.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in—marine science, environmental, engineering or physical sciences; or a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Course details

In this course you will develop advanced knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological and biological interactions applied to coastal and ocean systems as well as important practical and problem-solving skills. Graduates with an advanced knowledge of ocean processes are needed to manage coastal and marine resources, respond to the impacts of climate change, and drive sustainable use of the ocean.

DollarThis course will be subsidised for Australian residents through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as of Semester 1, 2024. Visit our Tuition Fee Calculator for CSP rates and an estimate on your course fees.

About the course

The oceans provide food for the global population, act as a conduit for global trade, provide a source of renewable energy and drive vibrant coastal economies. To utilise the ocean in a sustainable manner, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and drive the Blue Economy, graduates are in demand with a sound understanding of coastal and ocean processes. Western Australia’s location on the Indian Ocean rim, and unique mix of coastal and ocean environments, creates an excellent living laboratory for studying oceanography at a world class university.
Master of Oceanography

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
  • Partially Online
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 71590
CRICOS code
  • 107555J
Master of Oceanography
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
  • Partially Online
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 71590
CRICOS code
  • 107555J
Full time/part time duration
  • 1.5 - 2 years
Research

New smart ocean buoys bolster fight against marine heatwave

Diver wearing fins in the ocean swimming over coral

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Conversion
Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Science, Marine and Coastal Processes, or Integrated Earth and Marine Science, or equivalent as recognised by the School of Earth Science and Oceans Graduate School. must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Core
Take all units (36 points):
Core
Students in the course by coursework only take 6 points:
Option
Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.
Option
Students in the course by coursework only take 30 points but must include at least 18 points at Level 5. Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 12 points.

Why study this course?

  1. The Master of Oceanography is the only course of its kind in Australia and will leverage Western Australia's position on the Indian Ocean and unique marine environment including pristine coastal areas and ocean processes shaped by the Indian and Southern Oceans.
  2. As a result of the rapidly expanding Blue Economy and impacts of climate change, graduates will increasingly be needed who have knowledge of complex marine systems and can apply this knowledge to tackle a range of challenges.
  3. UWA has well established teaching and research strength in marine science and engineering so you will be taught by world-leading researchers who are at the forefront of their fields.

What you'll learn

  • You will gain knowledge across physical, chemical, geological and biological interactions applied to coastal and ocean systems as well as important practical and problem-solving skills.
  • Graduates will become proficient in oceanographic field data collection, data analysis techniques, including the use of industry-standard software.
  • You will become skilled at using a variety of ocean models and forecasting tools.

Your teachers

The academics that teach into the Master of Oceanography have expertise spanning coastal and nearshore processes, physical oceanography, remote sensing, marine ecology, marine and climate geoscience, coastal engineering, and ocean renewable energy. They all use a combination of field observations and numerical modelling in their research.
Ranked 3rd in Australia and 26th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2023)
Ranked 1st in Australia and 17th in the world for Marine/Ocean Engineering (GRAS 2023)

Master of Oceanography

Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Purpose-built collaborative facility for marine science and ocean engineering research.

Centre
Seekers space article

Chao pursues his passion in Oceanography

Chao with equipment

UWA student Chao Tang, share his reasons for choosing the Master of Ocean Leadership, his scuba diving adventures with the UWA Underwater Club, some interesting facts about this area of study, and his hands-on industry experience with novel artificial-reef modules!

Read the full story
Seekers space article
Institute

UWA Oceans Institute

Research boat on the ocean

The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.

Institute