Marine Biology and Aquaculture

The Master’s in Marine Biology and Aquaculture at the University of Naples Federico II trains specialised marine biologists to manage, protect, and sustainably use marine ecosystems and aquatic resources. It is a two-year, English-taught programme with two study paths: Marine Biology and Aquaculture and Management of Marine Resources.

What you will study

• Marine ecosystems: How oceans, seas, coastal areas, and marine habitats function, including their biodiversity and ecological balance.

• Marine biodiversity and conservation: Protection of marine species, habitats, and vulnerable or threatened ecosystems.

• Marine protected areas (MPAs): Planning and managing protected marine zones for conservation and restoration.

• Physical and chemical oceanography: The physical and chemical processes that shape ocean environments.

• Living aquatic resources: Conservation and management of species used in fishing and aquaculture.

• Aquaculture: Farming and sustainable production of aquatic organisms, including management of aquaculture systems and resources.

• Ecosystem restoration and protection: Methods to restore damaged marine habitats and protect biodiversity.

• Sustainable use of marine resources: Balancing human use of the sea with conservation and long-term ecosystem health.

• Scientific and technological research: Laboratory work, research methods, and technological innovation for marine science and resource management.

Two study paths

You must choose one curriculum when you enrol:

• Marine Biology: Focuses more on marine organisms, ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, and research.

• Aquaculture and Management of Marine Resources: Focuses more on aquaculture, sustainable resource management, and practical applications.

Practical training

To be eligible for the International Relations (ENG) master’s degree at the University of Naples Federico II, you need a relevant bachelor’s degree, at least 48 CFU/ECTS credits in related social-science subjects, and English proficiency of at least B2 CEFR.

Academic eligibility

• You must hold a three-year bachelor’s degree or an equivalent foreign qualification.
• Graduates from Italian degree classes L-16 (Administrative Sciences) and L-36 (Political Science and International Relations) are admitted automatically.
• If you have a different academic background, you can still be admitted if you have earned at least 48 CFU/ECTS credits in subjects connected to the core areas of International Relations.
• Your academic preparation is checked through the university’s admission assessment.

English eligibility

• You must have solid English knowledge of at least B2 CEFR level.
• Your English level must be officially certified.
• The university also tests English through a colloquium/interview at the beginning of the degree.

Programme requirements

• The programme lasts two years and is taught entirely in English.
• In the first year, you study economics, economic geography, political theory, international law, demography, and quantitative analysis of international data.
• In the second year, you choose between two curricula: Economic and Cultural Integration or Diplomacy and Security.
• You must complete a supervised research thesis and present it orally as the final examination.

International applicants

• International students must follow the separate admission procedure on the programme’s international-relations website.
• Applications from international students, especially those needing a visa, are reviewed on a rolling basis according to the calendar in the admission call.

For the Master’s in Marine Biology and Aquaculture at the University of Naples Federico II, you must meet academic, scientific-credit, English-language, and personal-preparation requirements before admission.

Degree requirement

• You must hold a three-year bachelor’s degree or an equivalent foreign qualification.
• The preferred background is a Biology degree from class L-13 (formerly class 12 under Ministerial Decree 509).

Curricular requirements

• If you graduated in Italian degree class L-13, you meet the curricular requirements automatically.

• If you come from another degree class, you must show knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and have acquired:

  • At least 18 credits in sectors BIO/01–BIO/03, BIO/05, BIO/06, and BIO/07
  • At least 6 credits in sectors BIO/04, BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/18, or BIO/19
  • At least 6 credits in chemistry sectors CHIM/01–CHIM/06
  • At least 12 credits in mathematics (MAT/01–MAT/09) or physics (FIS/01–FIS/08)

English requirement

• The programme is taught in English, so you must have adequate English at B2 CEFR level.
• The method for verifying English proficiency is defined each year and published in the course’s teaching regulations on the Department of Biology website.

Personal preparation check

• Admission is free (libero), but all applicants are subject to verification of both curricular requirements and personal preparation.
• Students with a bachelor’s degree score below 90/110 must undergo an assessment of personal preparation.
• The assessment mainly reviews your previous curriculum and grades in biology-sector exams.
• If needed, the admissions commission may call you for an oral interview.
• Candidates with particularly strong qualifications or completed supplementary exams may be exempt from the interview.

Curriculum choice

• At enrolment, you must choose one of two curricula: Marine Biology or Aquaculture and Management of Marine Resources.
• The master’s degree is awarded after completing the programme and passing the final exam.
• For foreign students, up to 3 CFU are available for an internship, and another 3 CFU are dedicated to learning Italian.
• Internship credits can also be earned abroad through Erasmus+ or equivalent programmes.

For the Master’s in Marine Biology and Aquaculture at the University of Naples Federico II, you must submit documents that prove your bachelor’s degree, scientific credits, English ability, and academic preparation.

Core documents

• Bachelor’s degree certificate / diploma — preferably in Biology, class L-13 (formerly class 12 under Ministerial Decree 509).
• Academic transcript / certificate of exams — must show the courses, credits, and grades achieved during your bachelor’s degree, especially in biology-related subjects.
• English-language certificate — you must prove English at B2 CEFR level, since the programme is taught in English.
• Passport or valid identity document — needed for application and university registration procedures.

Academic proof

• If you graduated in Italian degree class L-13, you meet the curricular requirements automatically.

• If you come from another degree class, you must provide evidence that you acquired the required credits in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics:

  • At least 18 credits in BIO/01–BIO/03, BIO/05, BIO/06, and BIO/07
  • At least 6 credits in BIO/04, BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/18, or BIO/19
  • At least 6 credits in chemistry (CHIM/01–CHIM/06)
  • At least 12 credits in mathematics (MAT/01–MAT/09) or physics (FIS/01–FIS/08)

Personal preparation check

• All applicants are subject to verification of both curricular requirements and personal preparation.
• Students with a bachelor’s degree score below 90/110 must undergo an assessment of personal preparation.
• The assessment is mainly based on your previous curriculum and grades in biology exams.
• If needed, the admissions commission may call you for an oral interview.
• Candidates with particularly strong qualifications or completed supplementary exams may be exempt from the interview.

For foreign students

• Foreign students must follow the separate international admission procedure and may need to apply for an Italian student visa.
• Up to 3 CFU are available for an internship, and another 3 CFU are dedicated to learning Italian.
• Internship credits can also be earned abroad through Erasmus+ or equivalent programmes.