This Masters degree programme on Ocean Governance being offered by the University of Malta in collaboration with the International Ocean Institute is unique in its approach – it aims to forge a knowledge base that is essentially legal but which also delves into the natural and social sciences to determine how an effective regulatory framework should operate. The Master’s in Ocean Governance serves to further enhance the development of learning and research in the field of marine resource management and maritime security from a multidisciplinary perspective. In this era of globalization and sectoral integration, capacity building in the regulation of ocean governance plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and healthy oceans for the benefit of humankind and the planet.

The programme is delivered over 13 months of study, commencing each October and the degree is delivered at the Valletta campus of the University of Malta in Malta, Europe. The programme is coordinated by the Environmental and Resources Department within the Faculty of Laws of the University of Malta, and is supported by: The Department of International Law (Faculty of Laws), the Institute of Earth Systems, the Department of Biology (Faculty of Science) and the International Ocean Institute. The taught component of the programme is composed of 12 Study Units that address the following topics:

• The Contemporary Definition of Ocean Governance
• The Marine Environment: biological patterns, processes & resources
• Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods
• Marine Resource Economics & Fundamentals of Sustainability
• Earth Observation of marine/coastal processes and trends
• The Law of the Sea
• International Marine Dispute Settlement
• Regulating Sustainable Use of the Oceans
• Regulation & Governance for the Conservation of Living Marine Resources
• Contemporary Threats to Maritime Security
• The Human Element of Maritime Crime: Migrant Smuggling, Human Trafficking & Stowaways
• Ocean Policy Making: a practical exercise coordinated by the IOI that provides learning through the application of tools elaborated upon in the other study units.
• A research component which comprises the writing of a dissertation (approx. 25,000 words) on a topic related to ocean governance chosen by the student, as approved by the Master’s degree programme Board of Studies.

Each study unit within the taught component has a value of 5 ECTS. The research topic has a value of 30 ECTS. Total credit value of the programme is 90 ECTS. The detailed programme is available at the Faculty of Laws web page.

Admission requirements: The entry requirement for this programme is a first cycle degree in an area of study which the Board of Studies considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a Second Class Honours or better classification, or an equivalent qualification.

Please visit the dedicated University of Malta website for detailed academic information and online applications (https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/PMAOGVFTT3-2020-1-O).

Application for the forthcoming MA degree courses in Ocean Governance 

The International Masters Programmes at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta offer high quality post-graduate degrees. Participants enrolling in the MA in Ocean Governance are provided with the training and tools that can offer graduates a competitive edge in the market. The tuition fee for this prestigious, full-time, postgraduate programme is 9,500 Euro.

More information and a copy of the course flier may be obtained by contacting ioihq(at)ioihq.org.mt or by clicking on the download link below.