Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City
Points
180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught & research options available

Programme overview

The Master of Marine Conservation focuses on finding solutions to complex issues that characterise the management and conservation of the marine environment.

The number and size of marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasing in response to intensifying pressures on our oceans and the need to provide more robust guardianship of marine ecosystems. Protected by law, MPAs require skilled scientists and environmental managers from diverse backgrounds to advocate for, design, monitor and protect them.  

The MMarineCons is developed and taught in partnership with Conservation International (CI) and provides essential skills for people looking for careers in MPA
research and management, and marine conservation more generally.

If you are already working in this exciting field, or you want make an impact in the marine conservation world, the MMarineCons will give you the opportunity to upskill, improve knowledge, and gain research experience. The programme also provides learning and hands-on experience in policy and strategic management and will benefit graduates from other disciplines wanting to work in this field.

This programme is primarily taught at the city campus with some classes and courses taught at the Leigh Marine Laboratory.

Programme structure

The MMarineCons is a 180 point research or taught masters programme that can be completed over three semesters full-time, with part-time options available.

This programme includes a mixture of core courses and elective courses on topics related to marine conservation such as marine ecology and biology, conservation biology, environmental science, social science, environmental management and policy.

Master of Marine Conservation 180 point Taught Masters

45 points:

MARINE 701 Current Issues in Marine Science
MARINE 703 Marine Protected Areas
MARINE 705 Ocean Management and Planning

105 points from:

BIOSCI 724 Marine Ecology
BIOSCI 727 Aquaculture
BIOSCI 735 Advanced Behavioural Ecology
BIOSCI 738 Advanced Biological Data Analysis
BIOSCI 739 Dialogues in Biology
BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal
ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Environmental Science
ENVSCI 705 Handling Environmental Data
ENVSCI 711 Assessing Environmental Effects
ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation (Not offered in 2024)
ENVMGT 741 Social Change for Sustainability
ENVMGT 742 Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
ENVMGT 744 Resource Management
ENVMGT 746 Collaborative Environmental Management
ENVMGT 748 Coastal Management
GEOG 730 Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future (Not offered in 2024)
INDIGEN 711 Indigenous Environmental Politics
LAWENVIR 710 International Environmental Law
LAWENVIR 721 Special Topic: Ocean Governance Law
LAWENVIR 770 Global Environmental Governance
MAORI 732 Rangatiratanga
MARINE 702 Field Techniques in Marine Science
MARINE 707 Applied Estuarine Ecology

30 points: MARINE 790 Project

Master of Marine Conservation 180 point Research Masters

45 points:

MARINE 701 Current Issues in Marine Science
MARINE 703 Marine Protected Areas
MARINE 705 Ocean Management and Planning

45 points from: 

BIOSCI 724 Marine Ecology
BIOSCI 727 Aquaculture
BIOSCI 735 Advanced Behavioural Ecology
BIOSCI 738 Advanced Biological Data Analysis
BIOSCI 739 Dialogues in Biology
BIOSCI 761 MSc Thesis Proposal
ENVSCI 701 Research Practice in Environmental Science
ENVSCI 705 Handling Environmental Data
ENVSCI 711 Assessing Environmental Effects
ENVSCI 733 Biodiversity Management and Conservation (Not offered in 2024)
ENVMGT 741 Social Change for Sustainability
ENVMGT 742 Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
ENVMGT 744 Resource Management
ENVMGT 746 Collaborative Environmental Management
GEOG 730 Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future (Not offered in 2024)
ENVMGT 748 Coastal Management
INDIGEN 711 Indigenous Environmental Politics
LAWENVIR 710 International Environmental Law
LAWENVIR 721 Special Topic: Ocean Governance Law
LAWENVIR 770 Global Environmental Governance
MAORI 732 Rangatiratanga
MARINE 702 Field Techniques in Marine Science
MARINE 707 Applied Estuarine Ecology

90 points:

MARINE 795 Thesis

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4
  • Study option
    Research 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed either:

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from this university, with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II. Including at least 45 points in a relevant subject such as Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biology, BioScience, Marine Science or similar.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II, and at least three-years of relevant professional experience.

You must have completed either:

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from this university, with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II. Including at least 45 points in a relevant subject such as Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biology, BioScience, Marine Science or similar.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II, and at least three-years of relevant professional experience.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0
  • Study option
    Research 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0
  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed either:

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from this university, with a GPE of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II. Including at least 45 points in a relevant subject such as Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biology, BioScience, Marine Science or similar.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree with a GPE of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II, and at least three-years of relevant professional experience.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree in the same field as your intended specialisation at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 4.0 or higher.

You must have completed either:

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from this university, with a GPE of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II. Including at least 45 points in a relevant subject such as Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Biology, BioScience, Marine Science or similar.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree with a GPE of 4.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II, and at least three-years of relevant professional experience.

OR

  • An undergraduate degree in the same field as your intended specialisation at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 4.0 or higher.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Marine Conservation cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,018.80 – $10,892.40*
International students
NZ$50,810*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,598.40 for full-time study (180 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Note: For international applicants, the application closing date for Semester Two 2024 is 24 May 2024.

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2024
8 December 2023
Semester Two 2023
4 July 2023

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Graduates of the MMarineCons will have a unique set of technical and practical skills which enable you to be highly competitive in the professional world of marine conservation. Links between policy, management and pure science are creating new job opportunities in this exciting field of work.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Scientist
  • Marine conservation manager
  • Project manager

Read what Fletcher has to say about studying Marine Science at the University of Auckland.

Read more

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

For help with planning your programme of study and enrolling in your courses, please visit your online help and support centre, AskAuckland

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Dr Alwyn Rees, Institute of Marine Science

Master of Marine Conservation

Learn more about the programme from Marine Science Graduate Adviser Dr Alwyn Rees, Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Marine Science.

Do you need help?

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Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

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Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513