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Master of Marine and Antarctic Science (S7Z)

Overview (2027)

Duration

Minimum 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1, Semester 2

I got into a few universities, but with Hobart having a really big international reputation, more marine scientists than any other city, and being a gateway city to Antarctica, this was the perfect place to do it in Australia. There’s no other university in the country where you can actively study an Antarctic science course.

Sahan Jayasinghe – Master of Marine and Antarctic Science graduate

As a gateway to Antarctica and with a natural marine laboratory on your doorstep, the University of Tasmania provides an ideal base to study for a career in marine biology, fisheries, and aquaculture industries.

This is the only master's degree in the world that uniquely combines marine science with a focus on the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. You’ll have access to industry-leading facilities at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and internationally recognised experts to help you kick-start your career.

The Master of Marine and Antarctic Science provides:

  • Practical skills alongside theoretical studies to broaden your experience and give you an edge in employment.
  • More than lectures, labs, and tutorials, with study trip units that extend learning to the Southern Ocean and into Australia's largest fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood industries.
  • Contacts, work experience, and research links in Australia's largest fisheries and aquaculture industries (based in Tasmania), as well as ocean governance organisations.
  • Access to our international partner organisations and internationally recognised marine science and ocean governance institutions based in Tasmania.
  • A one-year research project in the research stream, or individual project and development of work ready skills in the professional stream of the course

You'll have the choice to study one of the following specialisations: Fisheries Management, Marine Biology or Ocean Governance. In the Professional stream you will be able to select two specialisations.

  • 1 Inform the decision making of specialist and non-specialist audiences by integrating concepts and principles relevant to marine and Antarctic studies
  • 2 Integrate analytical techniques and evidence-based research into professional practice in marine and Antarctic fields
  • 3 Critique research and scientific results from laboratory and field operations by implementing the scientific method
  • 4 Critically investigate current developments and emerging challenges to create innovative solutions for open issues relevant to marine and Antarctic studies

Your university learning experience goes beyond lectures, labs and tutorials.

IMAS has strong relationships with international experts and industry-leading facilities including the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO, CCAMLR and Institut Polaire plus, as the only university in Tasmania, we have prime access to the broad range of fisheries and aquaculture businesses in the State.

During your study, you'll gain hands-on experience in field research techniques and laboratory methods as a large number of the units in this degree include field trips to marine reserves, fishing expeditions or visits to commercial aquaculture businesses throughout Tasmania.

Study overseas at one of our partner institutions

Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.

Find out more about Student Exchange.

Career outcomes

I researched universities in Australia for options, and read the units that they offered. I wanted to continue to study fisheries and the specific units offered in this course are not offered elsewhere. I developed my skills in areas like responsible fishing and fisheries population dynamics.

Muhammad Arif Rahman, Marine Science Master graduate

The University's Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science (IMAS) provides you with access to some of the world's leading research facilities giving you the best career foundation.

Graduates from the University of Tasmania are highly sought-after in a range of fields. The aquaculture industry directly employs 7000 people in Australia*, and Tasmania is the country's largest commercial operator in this area.

The degree allows you to pursue exciting careers in marine and climate research, fisheries management, aquaculture, non-governmental organisations, environmental governance and all levels of government from local to global.

The skills and knowledge you gain, places you in a prime position to have a real impact on practices, processes and policies on a local, national or worldwide scale.

Our degrees provide you with specialised skills and an educational experience centred on ecological sustainability. Once graduated, you can contribute to the sustainable management of the marine environment, thereby increasing the total quality of life as described in Australia's National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).

We have graduates working across the world in a variety of positions and organisations.

Career opportunities (dependent on field of study)
  • Scientific officer
  • Coastal community engagement officer
  • Federal or state government advisor (policy/environment)
  • Antarctic researcher – Australian Antarctic Division
  • Marine park manager
  • Commercial diver
  • Conservation biologist
  • Marine biologist
  • Australian Customs
  • Fish health officer/Fisheries biologist
  • Aquarium manager
  • Aquaculturist/aquaculture entrepreneur
  • Aquaculture farm manager
  • Ice core chemist
  • Climatologist
  • Glaciologist
  • Hatchery technician
  • Fisheries management officer
  • Fishery stock assessment
  • Quota licensing officer
  • Fisheries biologist
  • Quality assessment technician
  • Researcher or university lecturer
Further Study Opportunities

The specialist streams in this course provide a clear pathway for students interested in undertaking a research higher degree, such as a PhD, in their specialist area. IMAS is the perfect place to undertake further study, with supervisors who are international experts with global connections.

*https://www.fao.org/

Course structure

The Master of Marine and Antarctic Science is a two-year master course.

In your first year, you will complete coursework consisting of four core units (50%) and four specialisation units (50%).

In second year, you will complete a Research Stream* (consisting of a Literature Review and 75% Dissertation) or a Professional Stream (consisting of a Literature Review, a second specialisation and a capstone unit).

* To undertake research in second year – a GPA of 6 or more is required in Year 1

Entry requirements

To be admitted to study the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science you must have a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science or Graduate Diploma in Marine and Antarctic Science from the University of Tasmania, or an equivalent qualification from an Australian university. An example of an equivalent qualification is a Bachelor of Science with a major in life sciences (such as biology, environmental science, zoology, plant science, marine biology, ecology etc).

In addition, specifically for the Governance and Policy specialisation, students may be admitted with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an Australian university in a governance and policy field with evidence of completion of units at undergraduate level that are related to life sciences. 

COURSE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS 

This course includes compulsory Work Integrated Learning (professional experience placements). In order to participate in placements, all students must:

  • Complete a Safe to Practice Agreement declaring they have the medical, physical or psychological capacity to safely participate in professional experience practice. 

Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.

English Language Requirements  

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

English Language Requirements are:  IELTS (Academic) 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)

Course Specific Requirements

To be admitted to study the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science you must have a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science or Graduate Diploma in Marine and Antarctic Science from the University of Tasmania, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary education institution. An example of an equivalent qualification is a Bachelor of Science with a major in life sciences (such as biology, environmental science, zoology, plant science, marine biology, ecology etc).

In addition, specifically for the Governance and Policy specialisation, students may be admitted with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a governance and policy field from a recognised tertiary education institution with evidence of completion of units at undergraduate level that are related to life sciences.

COURSE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS 

This course includes compulsory Work Integrated Learning (professional experience placements). In order to participate in placements, all students must:

  • Complete a Safe to Practice Agreement declaring they have the medical, physical or psychological capacity to safely participate in professional experience practice. 

 

Students in this course may be eligible for a reduction in the volume of learning of:

  • up to 100 credit points if they have completed a Bachelor Honours (AQF 8) award in a cognate discipline; or
  • up to 50 credit points if they have completed a Bachelor (AQF 7) award in a cognate discipline.

Students can articulate from the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science with Honours or the Graduate Diploma of Marine and Antarctic Science into the Master of Marine and Antarctic Science.


Graduates may progress to research programs such as a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $9,726

How is this calculated?

This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.

HECS-HELP loans

You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

An important note on Youth Allowance and Austudy

The Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented master’s courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, this is not the case for all master’s courses. Please visit Scholarships, fees and costs for further information.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $50,950 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 104,448 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic scholarships

Each year, the University offers more than 900 awards to students from all walks of life, including those who have achieved high academic results; those from low socio-economic backgrounds; students with sporting ability; students undertaking overseas study; and students with a disability.

For information on all scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

Applications for most awards that commence in Semester 1 open at the beginning of August and close strictly on 31 October in the year prior to study.

International students

There is a large range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts available for international students studying at the University of Tasmania. For more information on these, visit the Tasmanian International Scholarships (TIS) website.

International scholarships

The University of Tasmania offers a range of scholarships for full fee-paying international students, designed to recognise academic merit and support access to university study.

For many of our international scholarships you will be automatically assessed when you submit your International Student Application, meaning no separate scholarship application is required. Some scholarships may require additional application steps. Explore our International Scholarships to learn more about available opportunities and application requirements.

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.