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Postgraduate

Master of Marine Biology (coursework or coursework and dissertation)

Seek the answers to global climatic and environmental challenges that impact important coastal ecosystems.
1.5-2
Years Full Time
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

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

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131 UWA (131 892)

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(+61 8) 6488 1000

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

Specific job titles could include:

- Marine Biologist (researcher)

- Marine Consultant

- Marine Natural Resource Manager

- Marine Conservation Specialist

- Marine Science Communicator

- Environmental Scientist

- Fisheries Scientist

 

You might pursue a career in the following industries:

- Marine environmental consulting

- Government agencies

- Resource industry

- Marine renewables

- Aquaculture

- NGOs

- Academia

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Career Pathways

Specific job titles could include:

- Marine Biologist (researcher)

- Marine Consultant

- Marine Natural Resource Manager

- Marine Conservation Specialist

- Marine Science Communicator

- Environmental Scientist

- Fisheries Scientist

 

You might pursue a career in the following industries:

- Marine environmental consulting

- Government agencies

- Resource industry

- Marine renewables

- Aquaculture

- NGOs

- Academia

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
Fee calculator

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.

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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.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$48,000.00
2025
$50,600.00

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.

Fee calculator

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.

Search Scholarships

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.

Cost of living

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 or marine biology; or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.
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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 or marine biology; or in 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.
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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

English competency

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

This course is designed to prepare you for a meaningful marine biology career in industry or as a researcher. This is achieved through a focus on both the quantitative elements of marine biology and processes in marine environments, as well as the application and translation of marine science into industry practice and management.

About the course

In WA, with its extensive coastline, there is an unmet need to generate graduates with the knowledge and skills to contribute to marine and coastal science and management. This course is designed to prepare you for a meaningful marine biology career in industry or as a researcher. This is achieved through a focus on both the quantitative elements of marine biology and processes in marine environments, as well as the application and translation of marine science into industry practice and management.
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About the course

UWA is uniquely placed with access to some of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world, with Western Australia's magnificent coastline hosting a range of oceanic and coastal environments; from the 'Great Southern Reef' in the southwest to Ningaloo Reef and the Kimberley in the northwest, plus hundreds of offshore islands. This diversity provides an excellent living laboratory for studying the complex interactions between marine organisms and their surrounding environments.

This course is designed to prepare you for a meaningful marine biology career in industry or as a researcher. This is achieved through a focus on both the quantitative elements of marine biology and processes in marine environments, as well as the application and translation of marine science into industry practice and management.

You will have access to world-leading facilities at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) and will be learning from internationally recognised experts to help give you the best opportunities to kick start your career. This opens pathways into further research training or for employment in a wide range of career opportunities related to managing marine and coastal environments. This is especially relevant to challenges presented by climatic and environmental change that impact these important coastal ecosystems.
Master of Marine Biology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 74540
CRICOS code
  • 107725G
View full details
Master of Marine Biology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 74540
CRICOS code
  • 107725G
Full time/part time duration
  • 1.5-2 years

Work Integrated Learning

network

Gain industry knowledge, develop career-ready skills, and network with industry professionals

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Work Integrated Learning

The following units enable you to interact with industry and government agencies that use and manage our marine resources. You'll be able to put into practice prior learning in your discipline through development of advanced professional skills. Learning activities include field work, workshops with key industry stakeholders, placements, internships, reflective journal, oral presentation and report writing. These activities strengthen quantitative skills and application of science into industry practice and management. Be exposed to modern analytical tools and practices and real world problems.

Research

Rare pictures uncover diverse marine life at Ningaloo Reef

Marine researchers on a boat in the Ningaloo Reef

Rare pictures uncover diverse marine life at Ningaloo Reef

Researchers at The University of Western Australia have collected rare imagery revealing rich marine biodiversity at Ningaloo Reef, after deploying baited underwater cameras to analyse various fish species.

Course structure

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

Course structure details

Course structure details

Conversion
Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Biology or equivalent as recognised by the 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 (30 points):
Core
Students in the course by coursework only take 12 points. Students must complete SCIE5004 and choose another six points from the remaining units.
Option
Students in the course by coursework only take 30 points of which 12 must be at Level 5. Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 6 points.
Option
Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 36 points.

Why study this course

  1. UWA is the only university to offer a master's level Marine Biology degree, with both 'coursework + research' and coursework only' pathways. 
  2. You will have access to world-leading facilities at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) and will be learning from internationally recognised experts to help give you the best opportunities to kick start your career. 
  3. We’ll provide you the environment to build technical skills and valuable connections through hands-on learning and exposure to modern analytical tools.
 

Why study this course

You'll learn:

  • knowledge across physical, chemical, geological and biological interactions applied to coastal and ocean systems as well as important practical and problem-solving skills
  • to become proficient in marine field data collection, data analysis techniques, including the use of industry-standard software
  • a theoretical and practical understanding to apply to the challenges associated with managing our biodiversity and other marine resources. 
 

You'll learn:

Our academics

We have a team of academics that are passionate about our oceans and have extensive knowledge on how we can both protect and use our rich marine environments. We cover the fields of marine biology, ecology, spatial ecology, fisheries science, as well as conservation and management. They are all members of the UWA Oceans Institute and sit within the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, which is a purpose-built facility for marine science and ocean engineering research that includes government agencies like CSIRO, AIMS and DPIRD.

Our academics

Ranked 1st in Australia and 17th in the world for Marine/Ocean Engineering (GRAS 2023)
Ranked 3rd in Australia and 26th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2023)
Ranked 4th in Australia and 45th in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2024)
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.

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Institute

UWA Oceans Institute

The Ocean Institute’s mission is to draw on our world-leading marine research to tackle issues of national and global significance. We are uniquely placed to provide ocean solutions to real-world challenges, through the breadth and depth of our marine expertise, our state-of-the-art facilities and geographic reach.

Visit the Oceans Institute website

 

Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

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

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Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) provides innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world's oceans. Built for the UWA Oceans Institute, the IOMRC brings together more than 300 marine scientists across disciplines including biodiversity, fishing, tourism, Indigenous engagement, climate change, oceanography and conservation.

Visit the IOMRC webpage

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