Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Beach Management and Coastal Erosion
The Diploma in Beach Management and Coastal Erosion Prepares you to manage beaches as natural systems, tourism assets and coastal defences all at once. You will study sediment dynamics and the causes of coastal erosion, nourishmen
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts7 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Beach Management and Coastal Erosion?
The Diploma in Beach Management and Coastal Erosion
Prepares you to manage beaches as natural systems, tourism assets and coastal defences all at once. You will study sediment dynamics and the causes of coastal erosion, nourishment and protection techniques, dune management, water and sand quality, safety and visitor services, and beach certification schemes and standards, so you can prepare management plans that balance public use, conservation and adaptation to climate change.
Key advantages
- The full picture: Coastal physics, ecology, tourism and services in one programme.
- Practical focus: Diagnostic, monitoring and planning tools you can use from day one.
- Erosion and climate: Responses to chronic erosion and sea level rise.
- Quality and certification: Blue Flag criteria and the ISO 13009 standard on beach operation.
- Case study: A management plan for a real beach.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand the beach: Grasp sediment dynamics and seasonal change.
- Tackle erosion: Assess nourishment, engineered works and natural solutions.
- Manage public use: Organise services, access and safety.
- Ensure quality: Apply quality and certification criteria.
- Boost your career: Work in local councils, consultancies and tourism management.
- Train to manage healthy, safe and resilient beaches on an increasingly pressured coastline.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
The Beach as a Natural System
- Types of beach
- Parts of the beach profile
- Waves and currents in the surf zone
- Longshore and cross-shore transport
- Seasonal profile changes
- Coastal sediment cells
- The beach-dune relationship
- Beach ecosystems
02
Coastal Erosion: Causes and Diagnosis
- Chronic and episodic erosion
- Sediment supply deficits
- Effects of harbours and groynes
- Development on the seafront
- Storms and extreme events
- Sea level rise
- Shoreline monitoring
- Erosion indicators
03
Responses to Erosion
- Beach nourishment
- Sand sources and borrow areas
- Sediment bypassing and recycling
- Groynes and detached breakwaters
- Submerged artificial reefs
- Dune restoration
- Relocating facilities
- Assessing alternatives
04
Dunes and Coastal Ecosystems
- Dune formation and dynamics
- Dune vegetation
- Beach and dune fauna
- Threatened species
- Sand fences and boardwalks
- Beach cleaning and ecology
- Seagrass wrack and strandline debris
- Ecological restoration
05
Environmental Quality of Beaches
- Bathing water quality
- Sand quality
- Marine litter on beaches
- Microplastics
- Discharges and sewerage
- Jellyfish and algal blooms
- User information systems
- Monitoring programmes
06
Public Use, Services and Safety
- Carrying capacity
- Universal accessibility
- Zoning of uses
- Seasonal services
- Lifeguarding and rescue
- Signage and flags
- Water sports
- Managing concessions
07
Planning, Regulation and Certification
- Legal framework for the coast
- Responsibilities for beach management
- Blue Flag
- The ISO 13009 standard
- Environmental management systems
- Beach management plans
- Stakeholder involvement
- Adapting to climate change
08
Case Study: Beach Management Plan
- Choosing the beach
- Physical and ecological diagnosis
- Erosion analysis
- Assessing public use
- Proposed measures
- Monitoring plan
- Budget and phasing
- Presenting the plan
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Local authority beach, tourism and environment officers: who manage the coastline Engineers and geologists: working on coastal works and studies Environmental and tourism consultants: who advise coastal councils Beach concession and service managers: looking to improve their management Marine or environmental science graduates: who want to specialise in beaches
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand beach dynamics
- 02Diagnose coastal erosion
- 03Assess protection measures
- 04Manage public use
- 05Apply quality systems
- 06Prepare management plans
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Beach management officer: Managing municipal beaches and services.
02Coastal consultant: Erosion studies and protection proposals.
03Quality and certification officer: Implementing beach quality systems.
04Dune site manager: Conserving and restoring dunes.
05Coastal tourism officer: Planning tourist use of beaches.
06Coastal monitoring technician: Tracking shorelines and beach profiles.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Yes. It covers both the natural aspects and the services, safety and quality of tourist use.
No. You study how rescue services are organised from a management perspective, but it does not replace accredited lifeguard training.
Yes, including choosing sand sources, their impacts and assessing long-term effectiveness.
Yes. You analyse Blue Flag criteria and the ISO 13009 standard, among other schemes.
A management plan for a real beach, with diagnosis, measures, monitoring and budget.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Beach Management and Coastal Erosion qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in marine science, environmental science, geology, geography, civil engineering, tourism or a related field; or professional experience in coastal management. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.