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  • Dear candidate, welcome!

    The Master’s degree in Marine Sciences - Scienze Marine is a free-access 2-year Degree Programme (120 CFU, Italian university credits) offered by the University of Milano-Bicocca. 
    The Master’s Degree Programme includes 7 compulsory courses (totalling 48 CFU) and 4 mandatory multiple-choice courses (totalling 24 CFU) that allow students to customise their academic path within one of the following learning areas: 1) BIO-ECOLOGICAL; 2) GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL; 3) GEOGRAPHICAL AND LEGAL
    The remaining credits are obtained through other learning activities, such as internship (4 ETCS), further linguistic knowledge (4 ECTS), activities "To be chosen by the student" (12 ETCS) and final examination (28 ECTS).
    Teaching language is English.
     
    The Master’s Degree Programme in Marine Sciences provides students with a solid cultural and methodological background in biological, chemical, ecological, Earth sciences, legal, and geographical disciplines applied to the marine environment. Special attention is given to the study of natural processes and the assessment of anthropogenic impacts and environmental changes affecting marine spaces, with the aim of promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The programme covers in detail the legal frameworks of marine spaces, the integrated coastal zone management, and marine spatial planning, using advanced cartographic representations and modern digital systems. Fieldwork and laboratory analyses further contribute to understanding the complexity of marine ecosystems.

    The programme adopts a strong multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, integrating the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere, ensuring a coherent connection between subjects through joint activities led by faculty members. Graduates will be able to develop tailored solutions and strategies independently, drawing from their expertise in both scientific disciplines (chemistry, biology, ecology, Earth sciences) and humanities disciplines (international law, geography, sociology). This enables them to analyse natural processes and environmental risks, understand state obligations and rights, and identify appropriate management policies to prevent, monitor, and mitigate anthropogenic impacts on coastal and oceanic environments.

    Graduates in Marine Sciences will be well-prepared for national and international employment in both the public and private sectors, including: Public and private institutions, such as environmental protection agencies, marine protected area management bodies, research institutes, and museums; private companies, including those in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine waste management and remediation, environmental consultancy, and offshore industries; international organisations and NGOs.
    Additionally, graduates may pursue careers in consultancy and freelance professions, including environmental consultancy for companies or public institutions, and certification professionals for sustainable planning and environmental impact assessments.
    The Master’s Degree in Marine Sciences allows graduates, upon passing the relevant state examination, to register in the Professional Register of Biologists (Section A) or Geologists (Section A).
    Graduates are also eligible to enrol in second-level master’s programmes and PhD programmes in Italy and abroad.

    If you believe in the sea and want it to become your future job, apply now!

  • How to be admitted - CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

    • To be eligible for admission to the MSc Degree Programme in Marine Sciences – Scienze Marine, applicants must fulfil some curricular requirements and attend an interview to assess their personal educational background.
       
      Curricular requirements:
      1) Bachelor's Degree Diploma, or other related foreign qualifications (three-year university diploma) recognised as suitable, in one of the following scientific fields (or Italian Degree Classification ex DM 270/04 or ex DM 509/99):
      • Environmental Sciences (Italian Classes L-32 or 27)
      • Earth Sciences (Italian Classes L-34 or 16)
      • Biology (Italian Classes L-13 or 12)
       
      Graduates with Italian Bachelor's Degree other than those listed above are required to have a total amount of at least 24 CFU (Italian university credits) in one or more of the following academic disciplines:
      • CHIM/* (all chemical disciplines, from CHIM/01 to CHIM/12)
      • BIO/* (all biological disciplines, from BIO/01 to BIO/19)
      • GEO/* (all earth science disciplines, from GEO/01 to GEO/12)
       
      Graduates with international Bachelor's Degree other than those listed above are instead evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the alignment of the candidate's study plan (transcript of records) with one or more of the following relevant academic disciplines:
      • CHEMISTRY: Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, General and Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry for the Environment and for Cultural Heritage
      • BIOLOGY: General Botany, Environmental and Applied Botany, General Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, General Microbiology
      • GEOLOGY: Physical Geography and Geomorphology, Engineering Geology, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology, Paleontology and Paleoclimatology, Petrology and Petrography, Geophysics, Mining Resources, Mineralogic and Petrographic Applications for the Environment and Cultural Heritage
       
      2) English proficiency qualification at level B2 or higher of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
       
      The adequacy of curricular requirements and overall preparation will be assessed by the Admission Committee
       
      Admission interview:
      Applicants, who meet the above curricular requirements, will be required to undergo an interview designed to assess their basic knowledge and skills in geology, biology, chemistry and geography. The interview is in English.
      Eligible candidates will receive the details of the interview via email.
       
      Exemption from the admission interview is granted to applicants who satisfy the stated curricular requirements and possess a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, or Biology, provided they meet the following grading criteria:
      • International qualifications: A minimum GPA of 3.7, provided this is explicitly stated on the official academic transcript
      • Italian qualifications: A minimum final grade of 99/110.
       
      Candidates living at a distance of at least 100 km away from the Milano-Bicocca University, those being off-site for proven study or work activities or unable to attend the interview for medical reasons as well as foreign candidates may ask the Admission Committee for a remote interview, by videoconference. 
       
      Candidates should consider their education background. If necessary, they can fill their gaps in one or more of the three fields using the following recommended readings:
      - Environment: Introducing Geomorphology : A Guide to Landforms and Processes, Adrian Harvey; or Introducing Geology: A Guide to the World of Rocks, G. Park
      - Bioecology: Marine Ecology, Kaiser et al.
      - Human Geography:  Human Geography", Bjelland, Montello, Fellman, Getis, only Cap 1 (Introduction) and Cap 13 (Human Impact on the Environment).
       

  • English proficiency qualification - LEVEL B2 (or higher)

    • To demonstrate their adequate knowledge of English, applicants must submit one of the following documents:

      a) Level-B2 English certificate, or higher, issued by a University-accredited Institution. Please note: certificates issued more than five calendar years before the date of application submission will not be accepted;
      b) English language examinations successfully completed during university studies, totalling a minimum of 5 CFUs at the B2 level
      c) A certified document issued by the University of Origin stating that the Bachelor’s Degree Programme attended by the applicant is entirely or almost entirely offered in English;
      d) ONLY FOR UNIMIB STUDENTS: Open Badge Bbetween Languages - English at a level B2, or higher. UNIMIB students, who do not yet possess it before applying for admission, can obtain it free of charge through Languages@Unimib
      English native language candidates are exempt from submitting a separate language proficiency certificate. Countries where English is considered a native language include United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and countries in the Caribbean where English is an official language.
       
      This curricular requirement must be fulfilled by the application deadline.