International Marine Environmental Consultancy (IMEC) MSc
Our International Marine Environmental Consultancy course meets the growing demand for marine consultants and coastal managers in UK, European and international business.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Important application information
The following courses have been withdrawn for 2023 entry:
- Part-time MSc (5158P)
- Full-time PGDip (3420F)
- Part-time PGDip (3420P)
This means we're unable to accept applications.
We're still offering the full-time MSc (5158F) for 2023 entry.
Overview
The International Marine Environmental Consultancy (IMEC) course brings together core ecological skills and the business elements required to compete in this growing sector.
Our expert academic staff maintain an extensive network of industry contacts.
You'll complete a four-month consultancy project. This provides opportunities for developing a proposal to collaborate with a world-leading marine consultancy.
This interdisciplinary course attracts a wide range of honours graduates. Your background skills may come from:
- geography
- the law
- politics
- marine biology
- the environmental sciences
You should have an interest in the marine environment and its management. You'll also need a professional, committed attitude which is essential.
This course forms the basis of the taught components of the Marine Science suite of postgraduate qualifications, such as our Marine Ecosystems and Governance MRes.
These courses share the same modules in the first semester. This helps create a supportive, collaborative, student cohort that often works together on interdisciplinary projects.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MSc,PGDip
An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You'll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Science is awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
What you'll learn
You'll do a research project in one of the marine areas of the Ecology or Modelling, Evidence and Policy research groups and key consultancies operating across these areas.
Project areas have been focussed on:
- structural and functional integrity of ecosystems
- biological and socio-economic drivers of ecosystem change
- governance and management of resource use
There may be opportunities in other research groups:
There may be opportunities in other marine science research groups:
Marine Resources and Renewable Energy (MRRE):
- antifouling and ballast water treatment
- bacterial bioactive products
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
Modules are block taught, with intensive teaching weeks and weeks of private study. Each semester is 60 credits (in full-time mode). The intensive teaching weeks run Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.
Teaching is delivered via:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical sessions (in computer labs, on boats and shores)
- personal supervision
Projects may be:
- analytical
- experimental
- field based
They are designed to give you the skills you need for future research.
The course finishes with a four month project. This is delivered in conjunction with consultancy partners in the UK or overseas.
Modules are delivered on the University's main campus but the Dove Marine Laboratory and the RV Princess Royal are also used as teaching venues.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your development
Placement opportunities
We have strong links with consultancy partners from a network of marine organisations. These partnerships have been fostered over many decades working with and in the commercial marine sector. Organisations that have worked with our students on their consultancy projects include:
- major international consultancies eg AMEC, ERM, Natural Power, Vatenfall
- national government agencies eg Natural England, MMO, Environment Agency, Cefas, Defra
- local managers eg Durham Heritage Coast, NIFCA, NEIFCA
- European projects eg C-Scope
- local niche consultancies eg CTL Consult, Envision Mapping, Environment Systems
Industrial work experience operates in many consultancy projects or you can collaborate with:
- Newcastle academics
- other universities
- institutes
- scientific associations
Research skills
The marine science research groups form part of extensive national and international networks. Recent partnerships and collaborations include:
- the Environment Agency
- Natural England
- Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
- University of the West Indies (Barbados)
- National Oceanographic Centre Southampton (NOCS)
- University of Costa Rica
- North Sea Regional Advisory Council
- Haribon Foundation
You have the support of a marine science research community including:
- 30 research students
- six-10 post-doctoral scientists
- six technicians
- 13 full-time academic staff
This provides you with abundant opportunities to progress your scientific career, whether in industry or academia. Students have been successful at finding employment in industry, academia, government agencies and non-governmental organisations. You'll also train to produce final projects of publishable quality.
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an outstanding range of facilities to support our research and teaching, including:
- aquaria
- algal culture
- stable-isotope preparation
- marine geochemistry
- gas chromatography
- air-sea gas exchange tank
- uHPLC
- bio-fouling
- force gauge
- WaterJet
- contact angle goniometer
- molecular biology
- tracking systems
We study live marine animals at our Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats. With an aquarium on-site, we examine a range of wildlife.
Our research vessel, The Princess Royal, is a floating laboratory. Activities on the vessel range from oceanographic characterisation of river plumes to remote camera surveys of offshore habitats.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8912
Email: snes.education@ncl.ac.uk
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