Master's Programme in Marine Biology
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The Master's in Marine Biology is taught by internationally renowned researchers and offers access to excellent research facilities at the Askö and Tjärnö field stations. With a wide range of courses to choose from, you have the freedom to shape a programme that suits your interests and goals.
Reasons to choose a Master in Marine Biology:
- Teaching by internationally renowned researchers
- Field stations Askö and Tjärnö provide excellent research facilities for practical courses and degree projects
- Freedom to create your own programme from the broad range of available courses
The Master’s programme in Marine Biology offers broad training within a range of subjects including ecosystem dynamics and marine conservation ecology, spanning systems from the Baltic to the tropics.
There is space within the programme for you to choose from a selection of additional elective or optional courses so you can create a programme adapted to your chosen career path. You are required to choose 15 credits of courses from the list of elective courses (updated each year). You can also include at least 15 credits of optional courses, these can be in other subjects.
Year 1
Year 2
Compulsory courses
Degree Project in Marine Biology
(instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)
Independent project
Degree projects, which are 30, 45 or 60 credits, are carried out within ongoing research projects at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences. It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organisation or company.
Recent degree projects
- Unravelling the effect of meio- and macrofauna bioturbation on methanotrophic activity
- Opposing latitudinal patterns on coral reef browsing rates and related fish assemblages in two subtropical bays with low functional redundancy
- Investigating epifauna community assembly in shallow bays using traits
The Master's programme in Marine Biology is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.
Specific eligiblity
Admission to the Master’s Programme in Marine Biology requires a strong background in biology, equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with at least one year of full-time studies in Biology. A solid foundation in ecology, organismal biology, marine biology, environmental science, or related fields is particularly relevant. All applications are assessed individually. The examples below are provided only as guidance.
Backgrounds that may be considered eligible
Applicants whose studies include substantial coursework in ecology, biodiversity, evolution, marine biology, aquatic ecology, physiology, or related areas, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, including courses in ecology, evolution, biodiversity, physiology or marine/aquatic biology
- Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or aquatic biology
- Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental biology or environmental science, if focused on ecology, biodiversity and organismal biology
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, provided it includes at least one year of biology (e.g. ecology, physiology, evolution)
- Bachelor’s degree in microbiology with relevant coursework in ecology, microbial ecology or aquatic systems
- Bachelor’s degree in fisheries science, aquaculture or related subjects with biology/ecology components
- Bachelor’s degree in earth or environmental sciences, if combined with substantial biology/ecology coursework
- Other natural science degrees (e.g. zoology, botany, biotechnology) if combined with significant biological and ecological studies
Backgrounds that may not be considered eligible
Applicants whose studies lack core biological and ecological coursework, or focus mainly on unrelated disciplines, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, if focused mainly on sustainability, policy, geoscience or environmental management with limited biology/ecology
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, physics or geoscience, unless supplemented with substantial biology/ecology courses
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, rngineering or mathematics, unless combined with relevant biology-focused coursework
- Bachelor’s degree in veterinary nursing, animal care or wildlife rehabilitation, with limited theoretical biology and ecology
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, education or economics, without biological training
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, unless strongly biology-oriented
Important to note
- These examples are not exhaustive.
- Meeting one of the “eligible” examples does not guarantee admission.
- A background listed as “not sufficient” may still qualify if supplemented with additional university-level Biology or Ecology courses.
- Admission decisions are always based on an individual assessment of the applicant’s complete academic background.
Selection process
Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements are ranked based on their merit rating. Only students with the highest merit ratings are selected for our programmes. The merit rating is based on the following four selection criteria, with equal weight:
- relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme
- grades of academic courses
- motivation letter
- research ideas
Required supporting documentation
To submit your motivation letter and research ideas you must use our cover letter form (updated yearly, only latest version accepted).
Cover letter/Motivation letter
After submitting the form, download the generated PDF and upload it to your application at University Admissions before the supporting documentation deadline.
Do not make any changes to the resulting PDF!
Note! The form is only available during the application period, up to the supporting documentation deadline. Recommendation letters and CVs are neither required nor considered if included.
The Master’s degree in Marine Biology opens career possibilities both in academic research or a future career working with aquatic environmental questions within for example, an environmental agency, county administrative and local district administrative authorities or consulting firms.
