Program Overview
The Marine Science at University of Iceland is a MSc programme in Humanities over 24 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Marine Science programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across Iceland and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 24 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Marine Science programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- Arctic ecosystems
- Ocean currents and polar oceanography
- Biological oceanography in the Arctic
- Remote sensing and satellite imagery
- Statistical analysis with R
- Population dynamics of fish, including analysis of catch and discard data, age and growth methods and models, early life history and recruitment, migrations, tagging methods and analyses, catch per unit effort analyses, feeding and predation
- Fisheries-independent (research) surveys, including one week at sea on a large-scale cod survey
- Sea ice and the effects of glacial melting
- Benthic invertebrates and fisheries
- Whales, dolphins and human exploitation
- Seabirds and their links to the marine environment
- Hydroacoustics
- Population genetics
- Fisheries assessment models, including surplus production, delay-difference models, statistical catch at age models, and yield per recruit
- Fish stock assessments and ecosystem-based stock assessments
- Fisheries management and economics
- CITES and ENGOs (Environmental non-governmental organizations)
- Maritime law
- Chemical oceanography and ocean acidification
- Marine physiology in cold water seas
- Behavioural ecology
- Atmospheric circulation, climate change and fisheries
- Environmental and anthropogenic threats in the Arctic
- Volcanoes and their effects on the ocean
- Geology and ecology of the mid-Atlantic ridge
- Multibeam surveys and hydrography
- Social-ecological systems and fishermen
- Writing research proposals and papers
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
Admission requirements
The Master of Science program in Arctic and sub-Arctic Marine Sciences and Fisheries requires that all applicants have a B.Sc. degree in some area of science. A B.Sc. degree in biology, oceanography, geology, computer science or mathematics is particularly helpful, but other relevant degrees will be considered. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is normally required, although exceptions will be given in certain circumstances.Language
The Master of Science program in Arctic and sub-Arctic Marine Sciences and Fisheries will be taught in English. Please note that proof of English proficiency requirements may apply to applicants whose native language is not English.Application Materials
While completing the online application, applicants will be required to attach (in pdf format) their latest diploma/transcript, together with a copy of the front page of their passport. A CV and the names/contact information of three references will also be required. To aid in the selection of a thesis supervisor, applicants should also indicate the three main study areas in which they would prefer to conduct their research.English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
Please contact the university for application deadline information.
About University of Iceland
University of Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland
University of Iceland is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 24 months