The Blue Growth strategy, a key pillar of the European Union’s Integrated Maritime Policy, is centered on the concept of the Blue Economy (BE). This approach ensures that all economic activities related to marine areas contribute to wealth and job creation while raising awareness of their economic potential and vulnerability to human impact.
Within this framework, the Master’s in Marine Living Resources: Science, Technology, and Society aims to train professionals with strong interdisciplinary expertise in both fundamental and applied fields, particularly in ecological, technological, political, and socio-cultural aspects of the BE’s primary sector.
The program’s interdisciplinary nature provides students with a systemic perspective on marine living resource challenges, equipping them with the skills to understand and address scientific, technological, and societal issues. The curriculum is aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Admission requirements (in portuguese only)
Join us to learn more about this Master’s programme and how it can benefit your future. This initiative is part of the seminar "Market and Society Needs: Creating Opportunities for Marine Sciences." Participation is free, but registration is required.
Date: 19 march 2025
Time: 2 p.m. (WET)
Format: Online
Register here.
A interdisciplinary programme integrating three key areas of high economic and social relevance—marine science, technology, and society—within the expanding Blue Economy at both national and European levels.
A practice-oriented teaching methodology, combining laboratory and fieldwork (in both natural and societal environments), with students actively engaged in research institutions such as MARE, CENSE, IPMA, SINTEF, and OsloMet.
Collaboration across multiple NOVA FCT departments and partnerships with national and international institutions, fostering a strong research and professional network with high potential for impact on research, education, and employability.
Multidisciplinary teamwork, essential for a systemic approach to problem formulation, analysis, and the development of new methodologies and solutions, based on the integrated science-technology-society perspective.
A diverse faculty spanning engineering, biology, biochemistry, and social sciences, supported by cutting-edge research infrastructures in marine science, environment, and sustainability.
Applications 2025/26
1st Phase: 03 FEB. a 22 de MAR. de 2025
2nd Phase: 2 JUN. a 18 JUL. de 2025
Vacancies: 30
Duration: 3 semesters
Format: In-person /
Language: English
Course Coordinator: Marta Martins, marta.martins@fct.unl.pt
Academic divison: mestrados@fct.unl.pt
This Master’s programme aims to train professionals focused on the interaction between human and marine ecological systems, promoting sustainable development and enhancing the Blue Economy’s primary sector by integrating ecological, technological, political, and socio-cultural aspects.
Graduates, preferably in Engineering or Natural Sciences, particularly in Biology, Environmental Sciences, or related fields such as Sociology and Anthropology. Graduates from other fields may also be admitted, subject to approval and conditions set by the Scientific Committee of the programme.
Holders of a foreign higher education degree obtained after a first-cycle programme in these fields, in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process, from a country that adheres to this framework.
Holders of a foreign higher education degree in these fields, recognised by the Scientific Council of NOVA FCT as meeting the requirements of a bachelor’s degree.
Consulting and technological and/or management projects related to the primary sector of the Blue Economy.
Development of plans and strategies for the sustainable exploitation of marine living resources at the level of companies and central, local, and regional administrations.
Marine literacy.
Governance.
Industry: Aquaculture, fisheries, seafood processing, marine biotechnology.
Teaching and research.
Tuition fee - Portuguese students: 1250 € / year
Tuition fee - Foreign students: 7000€ / year
Accepted candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of 100 euros (to be paid within 7 consecutive days from the date of placement), which will be deducted from the total tuition fee after enrollment.
Failure to pay within this period will result in the automatic exclusion of the candidates. No exceptions or late payments will be considered. Any payment made after the deadline will not be refunded, and the candidates will remain excluded.
Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety, and Maritime Services
"This course has provided me with the tools to better understand, comprehensively and integratively, the different components of the marine and maritime space, developing new interests, particularly in areas related to fishing activities."
Communications coordinator for the Early Career Ocean Professional Programme
"As someone who has recently moved to Portugal, I was looking for ways to learn more about and access the Academic system here, having completed a Masters in Sustainability in 2021. I have a strong tendency towards the Ocean, and the MSTS was the ideal course to strengthen my existing skillset (in marine social science, ocean literacy and communications), whilst filling in gaps in my understand - around ecology, biology, data and technology. I found it incredibly insightful to work with so many Professors across different disciplines and the assignments have given me the scope to advance my existing work within the UN Decade of Ocean Science. I have managed to start conducting my own citizen science initiative, working with local communities, and without this course I would not have the expertise or confidence to start leading such a project".
Engineer at Ynvisible Interactive Inc.
"The course allowed me to explore topics related to nature conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability, directly connected to the sea. I highly recommend this Master's to those who deeply love the sea, as I know they will meet others with the same passion along the way."
Through these partnerships, students have greater exposure to applied methodologies and cutting-edge equipment in the primary sector of the Blue Economy, as well as the opportunity to develop their dissertation within one of these five institutions:
MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre) and CENSE (Centre for Environmental and Sustainability Research) – Two research centres at NOVA FCT specializing in environmental, marine sciences, and sustainability.
IPMA – A national public institution with strong scientific expertise, responsible for the operational management of marine living resources in various geographical areas.
SINTEF and Oslo Metropolitan University – Prominent institutions in the Norwegian scientific system, particularly in the technological fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.
The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (DCEA), established in 1976, was a pioneer in the teaching of Environmental Engineering. It integrates fundamental skills from various scientific fields with new environmental and digital technologies, embracing interdisciplinarity and sustainability as core pillars.
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