Ocean Governance is a topic of increasing significance and concern in the 21st century. The 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention and other International law instruments are useful tools that safeguard the rule of International Maritime law. Notwithstanding their valuable contribution emerging international concerns essentially based on the escalating crisis of unsustainability, instigate an urgent need to explore new transdisciplinary approaches on ocean governance. Evidently, a more comprehensive, legal framework is required to improve the manner in which States and their nationals maintain the rule of law in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction and in regulating anthropogenic activities affecting the ocean and its resources. Emerging issues and threats, such as global maritime security, the sustainable use of the oceans and their resources, as well as linkages between natural sciences, the opportunities arising from the blue economy, socio-economic requirements and the law, necessitate a multidisciplinary approach for promoting learning and research on ocean governance.

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a first cycle degree in an area of study which the Board of Studies considers as appropriate, provided that the first cycle degree is obtained with a Second Class Honours or better classification, or an equivalent qualification.