AOS - SAMOS Masters Course

MARiS convenes a coursework (full-time) Master in Applied Ocean Sciences (AOS), which is joint between the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Oceanography at the University of Cape Town. This course provides interdisciplinary training in applied aspects of oceanography and marine biology, with the aim of training future ocean professionals. It is designed for both recent graduates as well as those with some years’ experience and who wish to gain skills to operate in the ocean services sector, with a focus on operational and conservational activities, food, water quality and recreation, preservation and other aspects of the Blue Economy.

We are excited to announce that in 2026, the AOS program will serve as the pilot project for the South African Master in Ocean Sciences (SAMOS), a project funded by the EU ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme. The coursework structure will expand on the established AOS course, with the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the universities and experts, drawn from across the South African marine landscape who are participating in SAMOS. 

For 2026, applicants will register at and receive the degree from UCT, with most of the coursework component (approx. 6 months) will take place at the Ocean Campus of the Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape. 

More information on the coursework structure and logistics (including accommodation and travel fees) will become available from 01 June 2025 on the SAMOS Project website.

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