The Master's degree programme in Marine Environmental Sciences qualifies graduates for careers in the environmental and natural sciences or for further doctoral studies. Marine environmental scientists are particularly in demand in areas where interdisciplinary approaches are required, such as marine and coastal protection or in connection with global climate change.

There are various employment opportunities depending on specialisation. Graduates specialising in biology and ecology, for example, work in biodiversity research or environmental monitoring, while specialists in geochemistry and analytics develop analytical methods or manage laboratories. With a focus on physics, marine sensor technology or modelling, it is possible to work in the development of measuring devices or environmental information systems or in data management, for example.

There are also career paths in policy consulting and environmental education. Self-employed marine environmental scientists can work in the fields of environmental planning, environmental monitoring and environmental education. In addition to universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutes, potential employers for marine environmental scientists include environmental, climate and coastal protection organisations, environmental planning offices, the fishing industry, museums, authorities, federal agencies and water associations as well as commercial enterprises in Germany and abroad.

Many graduates decide to go on to do a doctorate in university research.