Sustainable Maritime Management and Coastal Conservation
- Fields of Study: Sustainable Development and Circular Economy
- Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
- Total credits: 120 ECTS
- Study Language: English
- Tuition fee: €2,000 per year
- Registration period: opens in November 2026
Co-developed by:
Shaping Sustainable Futures for Coastal and Maritime Areas
INGENIUM’s Joint Master’s Programme in Sustainable Maritime Management and Coastal Conservation (SMaC²) is an international, multidisciplinary two-year programme designed to train a new generation of experts capable of enhancing the sustainability and resilience of coastal areas.
Bringing together marine conservation, maritime sustainability and coastal risk management, it promotes innovative, science-based approaches to coastal zone management. Through applied research, field experience and professional training, it equips you to tackle the environmental, economic and societal challenges facing coastal and maritime regions.
Study Across Europe Through the INGENIUM Alliance
Throughout the programme you will study across three European countries: Spain, Ireland and France, following a structured academic journey between three INGENIUM partner universities.
Each university brings its own strengths: marine conservation, biodiversity and spatial planning at UNIOVI; maritime operations, offshore renewables and the blue economy at MTU; and coastal hazards, adaptation strategies and climate resilience at URN. This combination gives you a truly integrated perspective on sustainable coastal and maritime management.
Key Competences You Will Develop
Evaluate how climate change affects coastal and marine ecosystems.
Apply international frameworks for maritime governance and marine spatial planning, and design integrated conservation strategies.
Assess the technical, economic and environmental aspects of offshore renewable energy systems.
Understand the EU regulatory frameworks that support a sustainable blue economy.
Analyse coastal hazards linked to climate and hydrological processes, using remote sensing and numerical approaches.
Integrate climate adaptation strategies, technology and policy to strengthen coastal and maritime resilience.
Programme structure
The SMaC² programme is built around a structured international mobility experience. Each semester is led by one partner university, with the active involvement of the other two, so the three universities teach together throughout your studies.
- 30 ECTS
- Biodiversity of marine food webs - 3 ECTS
- Genetic Biodiversity - 3 ECTS
- Evolution and biogeography of marine organisms - 3 ECTS
- Impact detection and evaluation - 3 ECTS
- Global Change - 3 ECTS
- Geographic information systems and remote sensing - 3 ECTS
- Legal and economic aspects of marine resources - 3 ECTS
- Marine management and Planning - 3 ECTS
- Joint element: Marine Diversity & Maritime Operations for a sustainable world - 3 ECTS
- Opt. 1. Voluntary Work in a Solidarity Marine Space - 3 ECTS
- Opt. 2. The Social View of Marine Conservation based on Audiovisual Resources - 3 ECTS
- 30 ECTS
- Maritime Technology and Sustainability - 10 ECTS
- Maritime Emergency Management - 5 ECTS
- Maritime Surveying and Risk Management - 10 ECTS
- Research Methods and Proposal (joint Element) - 5 ECTS
- 30 ECTS
- Hydro-climate variability - 3 ECTS
- Coastal Modelling - 5 ECTS
- Satellite-based Coastal Observations - 4 ECTS
- Erosion and Biodiversity - 3 ECTS
- Biogeochemical Cycles - 3 ECTS
- Sustainable Development - 3 ECTS
- Contaminants - 3 ECTS
- Coastal Geosystems - 3 ECTS
- Joint Element: Capacity Development Activities (summer school, mentored projects, seminars) - 3 ECTS
In the final semester, you will complete a six-month master internship and thesis, choosing between two routes:
- Applied research internship in a European or international organisation, including partners of SMaC²: EU institutions and agencies, UN and international organisations, public authorities, NGOs and environmental organisations, or the private sector and industry.
- Research internship within the research units of URN, MTU or UNIOVI, with a strong link to ongoing research projects.
Throughout the internship you will work under joint supervision by academic staff from URN, MTU and UNIOVI, who provide continuous guidance and monitoring.
Learn Within a Strong Network of Partners
SMaC² connects education, science, governance and professional practice. Its socio-economic, institutional and professional partners open the door to internships, projects and future careers in the blue and green sectors.
Public and institutional partners
International and professional partners
- UNESCO/IOC Expert Involvement
- European Sustainability and Climate Networks
- International Scientific and Policy Communities
Earn a Joint Degree for an International Future
Upon graduation, you will receive a Joint Master’s Programme in Sustainable Maritime Management and Coastal Conservation .
This means your degree is jointly awarded by the 3 partner universities of the INGENIUM Alliance, reflecting a fully integrated international study programme. It recognises your academic achievements across multiple institutions and confirms your experience of studying in different European countries.
Your qualification is accompanied by a Diploma Supplement, providing a detailed record of your academic path and international experience.
How the programme is run
Joint academic committee
Ensures academic quality, coherence and compliance across the partner universities.
Continuous improvement council
Reviews feedback and indicators to keep improving the programme.
Student representatives
Students take an active part in decision-making.
Stakeholders
Employers, public authorities, NGOs, professional associations and alumni help keep the programme relevant.
How to apply
Registration for the SMaC² Joint Master’s Programme opens in November 2026. Below you will find what we can already share. The full application procedure, required documents and selection calendar will be published on this page when registration opens.
Application Process
Registration period: opens in November 2026
Application procedure, documents and selection dates: to be announced on this page
€2,000 per student per year. Affordable tuition supports accessibility and the long-term sustainability of the programme.
The programme is part of the funding framework of the INGENIUM Alliance and foresees the use of Erasmus+ to support student mobility.
Admission Requirements
Your starting point
SMaC² builds on a strong scientific and technical foundation. It is designed for graduates in:
- Civil Engineering
- Geosciences
- Biochemical Engineering
- Biotechnology / Biology
- Marine Sciences
- Environmental Engineering / Natural Science
Candidates from other areas with related experience, such as postgraduate studies in the field, are also welcome.
You will expand your competences towards sustainability, innovation and societal impact, opening careers in:
- Environmental and Coastal Management
- Climate and Risk Assessment
- Marine Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration
- Renewable Energy and Blue Economy
- Research, Academia and Innovation
- Public Sector and Governance
- Sustainable Supply Chain and Logistics
Admission & Tuition Fees
TBD
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| TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | ||
| Group 1 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Scholarships & Mobility Support
TBD
Frequently Asked Questions
TBD
Want to find out more?
Have questions? Contact the programme coordinators listed below for guidance on admissions, scholarships, and studying within the SMaC² programme.
| University | Programme Coordinators | |
| URN | Imen Turki & David Leroy | ingenium@univ-rouen.fr |
| UNIOVI | Yaisel J. Borrell | oficinaingenium@uniovi.es |
| MTU | Brian Devitt | ingenium@mtu.ie |
