About the Programme

Xiamen University (XMU) has a distinguished history in marine studies, spanning nearly a century. The university’s Department of Oceanography, established in 1946, was the first of its kind in China. Today, its College of Ocean and Earth Sciences stands as one of China’s top marine research institutions and hosts a state key discipline in Marine Science.

The college is home to a highly accomplished faculty, including two academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and multiple experts selected under the “Thousand Talents Plan”, China's prestigious global expert recruitment programme. It also offers exceptional educational and research platforms, such as the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and the National Experimental Center for Education.

A key asset is the Jiageng (嘉庚号) scientific research vessel, which has been operational since 2016. Equipped with state-of-the-art marine research instrumentation, the vessel provides students with hands-on opportunities in frontline oceanographic research.

With strong support from XMU, the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS) was established as the first overseas marine science college under Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM). Sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund, CAMS is equipped with modern facilities that serve both teaching and research in marine and environmental science. These facilities enable students to gain valuable practical and research experience at the undergraduate level, preparing them for advanced studies and careers in the field.

Given the increasing global emphasis on sustainable development and the preservation of marine ecosystems, there is a growing demand for professionals in marine environmental monitoring, investigation, protection, and management. In response, XMUM introduced the Marine Environmental Chemistry programme.

This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills to support marine resource and ecosystem management, meeting the needs of industry, government, and society. Graduates will be well-versed in the sustainable utilisation of marine resources and have a strong understanding of current environmental issues.

Students interested in deepening their expertise are encouraged to pursue postgraduate studies at XMU in related fields.

Programme Highlights

• Excellent educational resources from one of the most highly-respected and longest-established institutions in China for marine studies
• Well-equipped facilities serving both teaching and research purposes in marine science and environmental science fields, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
• Interactive teaching by experts in the fields from both XMU China and Malaysia campuses
• Exposure to research activities involving world-class marine environmental chemistry scientists and professors from Malaysia, China and other international institutions collaborating with CAMS

Career Opportunities

• Academic & Research Institutions

• Marine, environmental, and chemistry-related research, teaching, and management roles in:

  • Universities

  • Other educational and research institutions

• Research & Administration positions in:

  • Marine environmental monitoring and consultancy

  • Environmental protection agencies and organizations

  • Marine-related product development and trading companies

• Further Studies:

  Graduates are well-prepared to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes, both locally and internationally, in areas such as:

  • Marine Science

  • Environmental Chemistry

  • Sustainability and Resource Management

  • Oceanography

  • Climate and Environmental Policy

  • Marine Biotechnology

Entry Requirement

*For other equivalent qualifications, please consult our programme counsellor.

Main Courses