Sustainable Marine Environmental Management (SCQF level 8) CPD Award

The information on this course page is for the 2027/28 academic year, starting in September 2027. January 2027 starts are only available if 'I want to start in JAN 2027' appears in the 'Apply' section below.

Information iconCourse code: D436

Calendar iconStudy mode: You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.

Mortar board iconCourse type: CPD Award

Globe iconInternational: Available to study online

Campus iconStudy at: Shetland

Pen iconStart in: January; September

Computer and book iconLearning mode: You access classes and/or materials digitally.

Clock iconDuration: Part time: 9 months; Part time modular: 3 months

Book and tick iconHow: You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.

What is special about this course?

Are you interested in marine management, licensing or consultancy? Do you need to work with communities, stakeholders and other marine users to engage them in marine decision making?

Gain the skills needed to work in the public or private sector as a development planner, policy officer, or marine manager, on our CPD Award Sustainable Marine Environmental Management (SCQF level 8). Improve your knowledge of the complexities of managing the marine environment, maritime activity, and development, with specialist options for those interested in working in marine energy, aquaculture, or in community engagement. 

Develop your understanding of marine planning and governance processes, engagement of stakeholders, and impacts of development on the marine environment and other users. Explore the essential components of sustainability principles, social justice, governance, planning, and law, as you develop an appreciation of the skills and tasks inherent to development projects, including community participation, satisfying the requirements of statutory planning and licensing considerations, and undertaking of necessary appraisals.

Join our in-depth and engaging course and allow us to help you to you to take on new roles, building on existing experience to become more engaged with marine licensing, governance and consenting.

Special features

  • Fully online for distance learning
  • Flexible start dates to suit employed staff
  • Tutor support always available and excellent library facilities
  • Experienced, knowledgeable team with research and practical experience in marine management and policy
  • Excellent for international students

  • You should have completed at least two Highers or equivalent and/or relevant further education studies
  • Students for whom English is not your first language should provide evidence of your fluency in English (reading and writing) to IELTS level 5.5 or equivalent

You will study 2 core modules (20 credits each):

  • Marine management and policy
  • Participation, inclusion and engagement in marine planning

You will also study 1 of the following optional modules (20 credits each):

  • Empowering coastal communities: ocean citizenship and engagement
  • Managing sustainable energy development 
  • Sustainable aquaculture
     

Module descriptors 
Core - Marine management and policy

  • Learn to: navigate the marine licencing system and deepen your understanding of marine management. 
  • Develop: your understanding of the challenges facing marine ecosystems and how ocean governance systems and assessment methods (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment) are used to manage human activities (e.g. marine renewables, aquaculture, oil and gas). 
  • Outcomes: you will have developed an appreciation of the legislation, processes and tasks inherent in assessing the impacts of development projects on marine ecosystems.

Core - Participation, inclusion and engagement in marine planning

  • Learn to: engage communities, stakeholders and other marine users in development planning and management. 
  • Develop: critical thinking about what constitutes effective stakeholder engagement and what is ‘just’ ocean governance, via exploration of a range of case study examples.
  • Outcomes: an appreciation of effective stakeholder engagement; critical analysis skills to assess sustainable development proposals and mechanisms to reduce conflict.

Option - Empowering coastal communities: ocean citizenship and engagement

  • Learn to: engage communities, stakeholders, and other marine users in ocean management, restoration and citizenship. 
  • Develop: critical thinking about what constitutes effective local management and approaches to include civil society and communities in management of their marine spaces, via exploration of a range of international case study examples.
  • Outcomes: an appreciation of effective community engagement and principles of citizen science.

Option - Managing sustainable energy development 

  • Learn to: engage communities, stakeholders, and other marine users in ocean management, restoration and citizenship. 
  • Develop: critical thinking about what constitutes effective local management and approaches to include civil society and communities in management of their marine spaces, via exploration of a range of international case study examples.
  • Outcomes: an appreciation of effective community engagement and principles of citizen science.

Option - Sustainable aquaculture

  • Learn to: investigate the sustainability in aquaculture production which minimises environmental impact, promotes social responsibility and ensures long term economic viability in local and global context
  • Develop: your understanding of key areas in aquaculture production such as environment, sustainable use of raw materials, disease prevention, energy dependency and recycling
  • Outcomes: you will have develop the sustainable management of resources, critically evaluate and identify areas to improve for a sustainable future

How will I study my course?

  • Part-time
  • Part-time modular (standalone modules)
  • You will study fully online, with no scheduled sessions or tutorials
  • Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
  • You will have the option to take part in an online induction before your course starts

How long will my course last?

  • Part-time: 9 months @ 10 hours per week
  • Part-time modular: 3 months @ 10 hours per week (per module)

The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.

  • Shetland
  • This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at UHI Shetland

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

For the latest information on fees please see our fees policy.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this CPD award, you might like to consider careers in:

  • Marine planning
  • Central and local government
  • International bodies e.g. ICES, IMO
  • Environmental Consultancy
  • Aquaculture
  • Renewable Energy
  • Environmental NGOs
  • Community development companies

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to progress from CPD Sustainable Marine Environmental Management (SCQF level 8) to to one of the following courses:

Course is online and open to applicants to study online from overseas. It is not eligible for a Student Route Visa.

Please see guidance for international applicants regarding entry requirements

Apply for Sustainable Marine Environmental Management (SCQF level 8) CPD Award

I want to start in Jan/Feb 2027 or Aug/Sep 2027 or Jan/Feb 2028

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.