Master in Marine Biology at Polytechnic University of Marche
Two-year English-taught LM-6 master's at Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona on marine ecology, conservation, fisheries and ecological restoration, with field practice at sea and links to the IMBRSea Erasmus Mundus master.
Master
2 years
Ancona
English
Polytechnic University of Marche
Marine Biology is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-6) taught entirely in English at Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona, with sampling at sea, scientific diving and ecological restoration work. Fees depend on citizenship and income, and it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A three-year bachelor's degree, or an equivalent foreign qualification, that meets the curricular requirements in the course regulations.
- English at B2 (CEFR), checked at the pre-evaluation stage.
- Free access: the department checks that your preparation is adequate rather than ranking applicants.
- Pre-evaluation of your degree on Univpm's GoMoveIn portal, then Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- Legalisation, apostille or CIMEA verification of your degree is strongly recommended for the visa stage.
About the programme
Marine Biology is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-6 (biology), worth 120 ECTS and run by the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences of Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona. Set up in 2003/04, it has been taught entirely in English since 2025/26, and its classes bring together students from Italy and more than 30 other countries.
The course trains experts in managing marine environments and conserving marine biodiversity and biological resources. You learn to assess, monitor and recover marine species and habitats, including ecological restoration of degraded areas to support the Blue Growth sector. It suits graduates in biology or related sciences who want to work at sea as well as in the lab.
What you will study
The plan covers marine biology and ecology at molecular, cellular, population and ecosystem level, together with sustainable resource management, environmental law and marine policy. You also pick two to four electives from a list of eleven, worth 12 ECTS in total. Units listed by the university include:
- Marine Biology and Marine Ecology
- Physical, chemical and biological oceanography
- Marine genomics and marine conservation biology
- Marine Protected Areas design and management
- Marine GIS and spatial planning, and quantitative methods in marine science
- Fishery biology, reproductive biology of marine vertebrates and aquaculture
- Field practice in sampling and census of marine algae, seagrasses and animals, and in marine monitoring
- Electives in marine ecosystem restoration, from seagrasses and algal forests to hard bottoms and tropical reefs
How the programme is taught
Laboratory and field work are the core of the course. You sample coastal waters, can take part in scientific scuba diving and study trips to protected areas, some abroad, and process data with software such as R and GIS. Univpm is a partner in IMBRSea, the Erasmus Mundus International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources, and several English-taught units are shared with it. Units with purely theoretical content are also offered online.
Career paths
After the state exam, graduates can register in section A of Italy's National Register of Biologists. The course page points to work in:
- National and international marine research institutes
- Bodies in charge of environmental management and protection
- Fishery and aquaculture companies
- Oil and gas and marine renewable energy companies
- Marine and maritime business and environmental consulting
- Service companies in the marine sector, including diving and environmental tourism
Further study options include a PhD in Marine Biology and Ecology.
Fees and scholarships
For non-EU citizens of non-OECD countries, Univpm's international FAQ sets €156 for the first year, and the reduced rate continues if you earn the required credits by 10 August. Non-EU citizens of OECD countries pay according to an ISEE parificato filed by 5 November, or the maximum without one. Regional grants come from ERDIS Marche, so the master's can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
You need a three-year bachelor's degree that meets the course's curricular requirements. Apply first for a pre-evaluation on the GoMoveIn portal (€10 per application, up to two programmes); the department then checks the adequacy of your preparation. In 2026/27 the rounds for free-access courses opened on 16 December 2025 and closed at the end of June 2026, with a July round for a listed group of countries.
Once accepted you complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. The 2027/28 rounds have not been announced.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Marine Biology master taught in English?
Yes. The department says the course has been delivered entirely in English since 2025/26, and applicants need English at B2 (CEFR).
Which bachelor's degree do I need?
A three-year bachelor's degree or an equivalent foreign qualification that meets the curricular requirements set in the course regulations. The department then checks the adequacy of your preparation.
Is there an entrance test?
No selective test. Access is free, and the department assesses whether your previous studies give you adequate preparation.
Does the course include work at sea?
Yes. Field practice covers sampling and census of marine algae, seagrasses and animals and marine monitoring, with coastal sampling, scientific diving options and study trips to protected areas.
How much are the fees?
Univpm's FAQ says non-EU citizens of non-OECD countries pay €156 for the first year. OECD citizens pay by ISEE parificato. ERDIS Marche scholarships are open to eligible students.
Where do graduates work?
In marine research institutes, environmental agencies, fishery and aquaculture firms, marine energy companies, consulting and marine service businesses. After the state exam they can join section A of the National Register of Biologists.
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