Top 5 Masters’ courses in Blue Economy (Europe)

According to the latest report of the EU Blue Economy (2022), the established sectors of the EU Blue Economy (i.e. marine living resources, marine non-living resources, marine renewable energy, port activities, shipbuilding and repair, maritime transport and coastal tourism) directly employed close to 4.45 million people and generated around €667.2 billion in turnover and €183.9 billion in gross value added. On the other hand, the Blue Economy emerging and innovative sectors include marine renewable energy (i.e. ocean energy, floating solar energy and offshore hydrogen generation), blue bioeconomy and biotechnology, desalination, maritime defence, security and surveillance, research and infrastructure (submarine cables, robotics). These sectors offer significant potential for economic growth, sustainability transition, as well as employment creation.

If you would like to become an expert in Blue Economy while improving your CV, have a look at the selection of the master’s degrees in Europe:

1 – Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy (University of Trieste & OGS)

The Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy is established to bring scientific excellence and technological innovation at the centre of a number of Blue Economy initiatives.

The Master is jointly organized by the University of Trieste and OGS to support the creation of stable and attractive blue career pathways throughout strengthening professional skills and enhancing competencies in fields related to sustainable blue economy.

The Master in Sustainable Blue Economy will start in January 2023 and will be held in Trieste in three sessions of 15 days each (March, June and September 2023).

It is a part-time programme lasting 12 months. Three intensive frontal sessions will take place in Trieste in March, June and September 2023. The Master is suitable to fit with work commitment and it is focused on three pillars: capacity building, skill development and science diplomacy. The master’s course ends with the drafting of a project work or with a traineeship.

Language: English

More information: https://blueskills.inogs.it/advancedmaster/introduction

2 – Master in Blue and Circular Economy (Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal)

The transition to the circular economy is one of the European Union’s major goals, and to this end, it is important to empower the actors and entities directly involved in socio-economic development processes. This transition is particularly relevant in the context of the blue economy, where the vast majority of sectors depend on bio-resources and the proper functioning of marine ecosystems that sustain services that are central to the survival of humanity.

This masters’ program will address these issues, as well as the existing and innovative solutions, examples of interactions between academia, industry, and public authorities to promote the blue economic and social development of coastal communities. In addition, bioproducts and biomaterials that create systems that tend to be waste-free will also be addressed.

Business models based on the circular economy will be developed, fostering innovative solutions for the blue economy that can contribute to the socio-economic development.

Objectives:

• Apply new theories of change from the linear model to a circular economy;
• Conceive, in the context of the circular economy, more sustainable products;
• Master concepts associated with the valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital;
• Understand the importance of the restoration of marine ecosystems for the sustainable development of the blue economy;
• Recognize the environmental impacts of products and processes and their importance to the economy;
• Assess the technical possibilities of innovation and co-creation processes, and industrial, service, community, andprimary production systems to minimize environmental impacts;
• Adopt and innovate new technical solutions to develop the economic and industrial sector, promoting the circulareconomy.
• Understand the importance of the circular economy for the sustainability of the oceans.
• Understand the context of the blue and circular economy at the national and European levels.

Language: Portuguese

More information: https://www.ipleiria.pt/en/course/blue-and-circular-economy/?force-lang

3 – Postgraduate Studies in Blue Resources for the Blue Economy (Ghent University & Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology)

The objective of this Joint International Postgraduate programme is to offer an add-on learning opportunity for students to be prepared for the rapidly evolving demands of the blue economy sector. The Blue Economy can be defined as activities related to oceans, seas and coasts for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs.

The University of Ghent and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology have joined forces and developed one of the few programmes specifically aimed at the Blue Economy: Postgraduate Studies in Blue Resources for the Blue Economy. This course is aimed at very diverse profiles, from engineers to people with a financial or legal background. Everyone who has obtained a Master’s degree and is interested in pursuing a career in the Blue Economy can initially enroll in this postgraduate course. People already active in the field and looking to expand their knowledge and skills are also eligible. In addition, this programme offers a very flexible trajectory with a focus on online learning and blended working formats. During the course, contact with the industry is a key element. Students will have the opportunity to come into contact with relevant stakeholders within the industry whilst following workplace-based training. This postgraduate course aims to offer the students all the necessary tools needed to fully prepare for the rapidly evolving demands of the blue economy sector.

Language: English

More information: https://studiekiezer.ugent.be/postgraduate-studies-in-blue-resources-for-the-blue-economy-en/2022

4 – Master Marine and Coastal Sciences – Applied Economy (Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer)

The mention is made by two laboratories specialized in the fields of maritime economics (AMURE) and agricultural economics (SMART-LERECO), both dealing with the dimensions of sectors, markets, resources, environment and territory. The training is linked to all the strategic axes of the two laboratories, which involve researchers from five supervisory bodies: UBO, AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Ifremer, INRA and CNRS, with locations in Brest, Rennes, Nantes and Angers.

The speciality  Applied Economics refers to the analysis of the organization and dynamics of the agricultural and maritime sectors, agri-food sectors and coastal territories from the perspective of sustainable exploitation of resources and environmental and risk management. It trains the skills required to meet the needs of direct employment opportunities such as design offices, professional structures, companies, local authorities or government departments in terms of economic analysis.

Language: French

More information: https://www-iuem.univ-brest.fr/training/sml-masters-degree/applied-economics/?lang=en

5 – Mestrado em Direito e Economia do Mar (Universidade Nova Lisboa)

The Master in Law and Economics of the Sea (MDEM) is an interdisciplinary, unique and innovative program dedicated to the study of all issues related to the governance of the Sea. Since its creation in 2015, MDEM has received and trained a considerable number of students from all Portuguese-speaking countries. Indeed, the Sea is strategic and a fundamental aspect of cooperation and connection between Portuguese-speaking countries. All are coastal States, present in the most important regions of the planet, where the greatest challenges and opportunities are currently posed.

Throughout its four editions, several MDEM students had the opportunity to do internships with public and private entities, as well as to carry out research in the most important international organizations in the area of ​​the sea, such as the International Maritime Organization, in London, and the International Court of the Law of the Sea in Hamburg. NOVA Direito is the only Portuguese higher education institution that integrates the list of host institutions of the prestigious, and internationally recognized, training program of the UN and the Nippon Foundation of Japan for the Law of the Sea.

Within the scope of the MDEM, a wide range of activities are also developed, such as conferences, seminars and training courses, such as the course on the Law of the Sea, which is held periodically. Over the years, many professors and national and international experts have taught, thus contributing to a greater diversification of teaching and to the expansion of the students’ network of contacts in the public and private sector.

Language: Portuguese

More information: https://guia.unl.pt/pt/2019/fd/program/M867

Other courses related to Blue Economy

• Blue Growth Leaders Academy (University of Klaipedia, Lithuania) 
• Blue Master of Business Administration (University of Alaska Fairbanks) 
• MSc Marine Economy (Istanbul University) 
• EU-CONEXUS Minor in Blue Economy and Growth (La Rochelle University) 
• Master’s degree in Maritime Economy (University of Naples)