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 remotely over 13 months of study, next commencing in September/October 2021. 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.