Academic Content
Training Tomorrow’s Ocean Leaders
The South African Master in Ocean Sciences (SAMOS) programme equips postgraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to contribute meaningfully to research and practice across the diverse fields of Ocean Sciences. It offers a single, collaborative programme that draws together nine universities and national research institutes, along with associated infrastructure and international partners, to deliver a modern, high-quality degree.
Through an intentionally interdisciplinary and Afro-centric curriculum, the programme integrates physical and chemical oceanography, marine biology, marine social sciences, law and humanities, with strong quantitative, digital and professional skills. Within this framework, qualifying students will be able to apply current knowledge of Ocean Sciences to design, conduct and communicate scholarly research projects, building the disciplinary grounding and methodological capability needed to engage with the field at a postgraduate level.
This capacity is critically needed in South Africa, where ocean and coastal systems are changing rapidly under climate change, biodiversity loss and sustained human pressures such as urbanisation, over-exploitation of resources and weak environmental governance. The new knowledge, insights, and technologies generated through interdisciplinary research – and the people equipped to produce and apply them – are essential to addressing these challenges and supporting a sustainable and just blue economy.
Applications for the 2027 cohort are managed through a single-entry point at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Applicants will then register at the University of Cape Town or Nelson Mandela University*. The coursework takes place at the Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus in Gqeberha, which offers modern teaching and research facilities. Students then complete their minor dissertation at one of the SAMOS South African partner universities.
*Nelson Mandela University is currently awaiting its final accreditation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for the South African Master in Ocean Sciences. SAMOS-NRF funded students will be required to transfer and register at Nelson Mandela University once the required accreditations are received.
AOS-SAMOS Course Structure
This is a full-time taught Master programme (180 credits) commencing in February 2027, comprising coursework (90 credits) and a minor dissertation (90 credits). The programme runs over one or two years, with NRF-funded students able to defer the dissertation to the second year. Students also benefit from a seminar series featuring national and international experts, and site visits to public and private sector stakeholders.
The coursework provides interdisciplinary vocational training in applied aspects of oceanography and marine biology for future ocean professionals. It equips students to work in the ocean services sector, with a focus on operational, conservation, and consulting activities across ecosystem characterisation, food, water quality, and other aspects of the Blue Economy. The curriculum offers a common foundational module followed by electives, allowing students to specialise across the Ocean Sciences. The course is designed for both recent graduates as well as those with minimum five years’ work experience**.
It is a cohort-based programme with active learning at its core. Through team- and project-based activities guided by lecturers, tutors, and peers, students develop critical thinking and practical problem-solving alongside the interpersonal and collaborative skills valued by socio-economic stakeholders.
The coursework component is delivered at Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha, over 24 weeks between February and August 2027. Students must be physically present at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, for the coursework period. Click to view the Ocean Sciences Campus Video at Nelson Mandela University.
**Candidates who don’t meet the academic requirements can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they meet the requirements which includes a minimum five years’ work experience. Visit the Recognition of Prior Learning Overview page for more information.
COURSEWORK COMPONENT*** (90 credits)
Foundational (core) Modules
Elective modules****
- The Blue Economy
- Current-issues under global change
- Ecosystem-based management (only offered in person, at UCT)
- Introduction to modelling
- Multivariate statistics
- Earth Observation and Operational Oceanography
***Nelson Mandela University is currently awaiting its final accreditation from the South African Qualification Authorities for the South African Master of Ocean Sciences. If the accreditation is completed by January 2027, students will register at Nelson Mandela University for the coursework component. Students conducting their minor dissertation at the University of Cape Town will be able to transfer the coursework credits.
****The list is only indicative and may be subject to modification.
Minor Dissertation (90 Credits)
This course equips students specialising in a field of ocean sciences, with research design and project execution skills to address issues and demands related to different ocean sciences disciplines. Students may register for the minor dissertation across a range of disciplines offered by the SAMOS partner universities and will be based at the university of their main supervisor*****.
Note that students applying for funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) must identify a supervisor and agree on a research project prior to their application. Eligible candidates are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors early. See the SAMOS Research thematics page for a list of available research projects across the partner universities.
*****NRF-funded students will be required to transfer and register at Nelson Mandela University for the minor dissertation.
