South African Master in Ocean Sciences (AOS-SAMOS) 2027: Fully Interdisciplinary Master’s Programme for Aspiring Ocean Professionals

The South African Master in Ocean Sciences (AOS-SAMOS) is an innovative postgraduate programme designed to strengthen Ocean Sciences education, research capacity, and professional opportunities in South Africa while supporting the sustainable development of the country’s growing Blue Economy.

The programme brings together nine South African universities, national research institutions, and European academic partners to create an internationally recognised, interdisciplinary Master’s degree combining ocean science, marine biology, oceanography, quantitative analysis, digital technologies, social sciences, law, humanities, and sustainability.

The AOS-SAMOS degree is a full-time taught Master’s programme worth 180 credits, consisting of 90 credits of coursework and 90 credits for a minor dissertation. Coursework is delivered in person at the Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, over approximately 24 weeks. Students subsequently undertake their minor dissertation through one of the participating South African partner universities. Depending on the funding and study pathway, the degree can be completed over 13 months or two years (e.g., students receiving SAMOS-NRF funding follow a two-year pathway). The programme is supported through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education framework and co-funded by the European Union.