Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience (MSc) starting September 2025 for 1 year
Gain knowledge of coastal, ocean, and seafloor behaviour relevant to the design of coastal and offshore infrastructure on this master's course. You'll develop valuable skills in applied geology to deal with hazards such as erosion, flooding, and habitat degradation to marine environments.
As a graduate with an Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree, you'll develop the skills needed to address the complex challenges facing our marine environments and increased demand for resources.
You'll be able to devise and inform sustainable solutions that support the transition to low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient economies and societies. With your expertise you'll make a difference to our planet and its people.
You'll develop:
Course content is delivered in partnership with the School of Ocean and Earth Science, and the School of Engineering. Through this multi-disciplinary approach, you'll cover topics in coastal engineering and environmental management. You'll be able to use your combined knowledge of these areas across a wide range of careers and sectors.
This course also has strong links with the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute and the Sustainability and Resilience Institute. Which means you’ll have additional access to training, learning, and skills development.
Designed with input from employers, this course aims to prepare you for a career in coastal and offshore geoscience. It includes:
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
This course is lead by Dr Hachem Kassem. Hachem is a coastal engineer and oceanographer. His expertise lies in experimental, numerical, and field investigations of coastal hydrodynamics and sediment transport.
His research interests include:
You can view Hachem's staff profile for more information.
This course is based at Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton) and Highfield.
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
To study on our Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree you'll need a 2:1 or equivalent degree in a STEM subject, such as:
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
This Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience course is structured to provide you with the full range of expertise required for success in the geoscience sector. It's available to study full-time for one year.
Modules that include field trips have alternative online resources. If you're unable to attend in-person, virtual field trips will be provided, and reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate students. This is to ensure all students can achieve the same course outcomes.
Your first semester provides a core understanding of coastal and ocean processes and engineering. This includes modules, such as:
During this semester, you'll start to develop your dissertation project ideas.
In your second semester, you'll apply your skills and knowledge in applied geology to a range of contexts. This includes hazard assessment, provision of renewable energy, and infrastructure design. You'll cover the following modules:
In this semester, you'll start working on your dissertation project for submission in September.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
Coastal morphodynamics is the study of coastal geomorphology and its change under the influence of waves, tides, etc. It is important to understand coastal morphodynamics as natural coastal geomorphology such as beaches provides substantial protection and...
The coastal zone supports the livelihood and well-being of hundreds of millions of people, valuable ecosystems and vital industry, trade links and energy networks. The movement of coastal sediments by natural processes and human interventions continually ...
This module will introduce you to the range of skills needed in the determination of design requirements and conditions, planning, and the design of coastal structures. These skills comprise the determination of wave conditions, the determination and anal...
Key Skills module for those students entering semester 2 of the MSc Oceanography, under international Enhanced Progression Agreements.
Offshore infrastructure forms a key part of our global communication, energy generation, material transport and environment monitoring networks. This module examines the general engineering concepts and analytical techniques that are fundamental to design...
Understanding changes in sea level is of the utmost importance, as it: (1) shapes the coastlines; (2) affects the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people living in the world’s coastal regions, and (3) is a key indicator of climate change. Sea-level ...
In this module students work through many of the data analysis and interpretation steps to evaluate plans for an offshore windfarm, using an example site in the east Solent. With the University of Southampton’s unique access to its own research vessel t...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Within the context of your programme of study, students will undertake independent, original and critical research on a relevant topic. Students will then communicate the research objectives, methodology, analysis, results and conclusions effectively both...
The MSc project will entail four months of full-time work investigating a topic related to Marine/Earth/Environmental science, and culminating in the submission of a dissertation. The project is conducted on a novel question, often associated with a large...
Throughout your studies on our Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience degree, you'll develop knowledge in subject areas from science and mathematics to engineering analysis and practice.
You'll learn through a blend of:
Field trip learning opportunities will be spread across several modules. They include locations such as Hayling Island, Hurst Spit, Hengistbury Head, Christchurch Harbour, and the Thames Barrier. You'll gain practical skills and experience through boat work activities within Southampton Water and the Solent, which are essential for standing out to employers.
During your laboratory sessions you'll use facilities such as the Geotechnical Centrifuge and the Coastal Research Laboratories.
Each module will contain a practise assessment for you to test your understanding of the subject. We'll provide feedback to help you identify knowledge gaps and make improvements. Following a practise assessment, you'll complete a formal assessment that contributes to your module mark.
Formal assessments may include:
You’ll have the choice to complete your dissertation under the School of Engineering or the School of Ocean and Earth Science.
As part of this project, an industrial placement is strongly encouraged and facilitated. You will undertake independent and original research on a relevant topic, which you’ll then submit through a dissertation and presentation.
You’ll need to submit a scoping study as part of this project. The study represents an investment of 60 hours of research on your chosen topic. It should include a short background review and it should outline your methodology. This study must be passed, and you’ll have multiple attempts in order to do this.
This project will be based on a question often associated with a larger research project. It also includes four months of full-time work investigating a topic related to environmental science.
As part of your assessment, you’ll complete a:
Your personal academic tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at the university.
The Student Support Hub is a great first point of contact for any concerns you might have. They can support with:
There's an increased demand for coastal and offshore geoscientists to tackle climate hazards such as flooding, erosion, and habitat degradation. The sustainable provision of renewable energy and marine resources is crucial for meeting this demand.
With an applied geoscience degree you'll have the expertise required to help address these issues. You'll also have the knowledge and skills to work in a wide variety of sectors, including:
You'll be a crucial part of any team looking to meet decarbonisation and renewable energy targets. Using your knowledge, you could also help societies and economies to become more resource efficient and climate resilient.
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
