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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Nature-Based Solutions for Coasts
The Diploma in Nature-Based Solutions for Coasts Prepares you to design and evaluate nature-based solutions that protect the coast from erosion and flooding while restoring biodiversity. You will study how dunes, saltmarshes, seag
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Nature-Based Solutions for Coasts?
The Diploma in Nature-Based Solutions for Coasts
Prepares you to design and evaluate nature-based solutions that protect the coast from erosion and flooding while restoring biodiversity. You will study how dunes, saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and mangroves work as natural defences, how to combine them with conventional engineering in hybrid systems, and how to plan, fund and monitor these projects using sound technical and ecological criteria.
Key advantages
- A double benefit: Coastal protection and ecosystem recovery in a single project.
- Technical grounding: The physical and ecological processes behind the protective effect.
- International standards: Criteria from the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions.
- A realistic view: The limits, uncertainties and success factors of each solution.
- Case study: A nature-based project for a real stretch of coast.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know the protective ecosystems: Understand how dunes, saltmarshes and reefs reduce risk.
- Design with nature: Develop green and hybrid solutions suited to each coast.
- Assess effectiveness: Apply physical and ecological monitoring indicators.
- Fund projects: Get to know funds and mechanisms for nature-based solutions.
- Boost your career: Specialise in ecosystem-based coastal adaptation.
- Train to protect the coast by working with nature rather than against it.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Foundations of Nature-Based Solutions
- Definition and principles
- The IUCN Global Standard
- Green, grey and hybrid infrastructure
- Coastal ecosystem services
- Multiple benefits
- Limits and risks
- International policy framework
- How the approach has evolved in coastal engineering
02
Coastal Processes and the Protective Function
- Wave attenuation by vegetation
- Sediment stabilisation
- Accretion and vertical growth
- Response to storms
- Interaction with sea level rise
- Spatial and temporal scales
- Methods for measuring protection
- Modelling nature-based solutions
03
Dunes and Beaches
- Dynamics of dune systems
- Dune restoration
- Dune vegetation
- Sand fencing
- Beach nourishment
- Managing trampling and access
- Dunes as storm defences
- Monitoring dune systems
04
Saltmarshes, Wetlands and Mangroves
- How saltmarshes work
- Managed realignment
- Restoring tidal connectivity
- Mangroves as coastal defence
- Species selection
- Sediment management
- Blue carbon as a co-benefit
- Vegetation monitoring
05
Reefs and Living Shorelines
- Oyster and shellfish reefs
- Coral reefs and coastal protection
- Living shorelines in estuaries
- Seagrass meadows and sediments
- Structures for species recruitment
- Ecological enhancement of rock armour
- Materials and substrates
- Biological monitoring
06
Project Design and Hybrid Systems
- Site diagnosis
- Option selection
- Design criteria
- Combining with conventional works
- Construction phasing
- Managing risk during implementation
- Adaptive maintenance
- Consents and environmental assessment
07
Evaluation, Funding and Governance
- Physical and ecological indicators
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Valuing co-benefits
- Public funds and international programmes
- Insurance and nature-based solutions
- Community involvement
- Governance and land ownership
- Communicating results
08
Case Study: Nature-Based Coastal Project
- Choosing the stretch of coast
- Risk analysis
- Ecological diagnosis
- Choosing the solution
- Conceptual design
- Monitoring plan
- Budget and funding
- Presenting the project
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
Biologists, environmental scientists and marine science graduates: who want to apply ecology to coastal defence Civil and coastal engineers: looking for alternatives to conventional works Public sector officers: who manage coasts and protected sites Environmental consultants: who design restoration and adaptation projects Landscape architects and planners: working on the coastal edge
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 nature-based solutions
- 02Analyse the protective role of ecosystems
- 03Select suitable solutions
- 04Design hybrid systems
- 05Plan monitoring and maintenance
- 06Prepare fundable projects
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Nature-based solutions specialist: Project design in consultancies and engineering firms.
02Coastal restoration specialist: Restoring dunes, saltmarshes and reefs.
03Coastal management officer: Building nature-based solutions into public plans.
04Climate adaptation consultant: Ecosystem-based adaptation strategies.
05Environmental project manager: Coordinating projects with public and international funding.
06Ecological monitoring officer: Assessing the effectiveness of completed projects.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Not always. They are often combined with conventional works; the programme teaches you to judge when each option is appropriate.
It combines both approaches so you can work effectively with technical and scientific teams.
Yes. As well as temperate dunes and saltmarshes, you study mangroves and coral reefs.
Yes. You analyse documented projects from several countries and their monitoring results.
A conceptual nature-based solution for a real stretch of coast, with a monitoring plan 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 Nature-Based Solutions for Coasts 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, biology, environmental science, civil engineering, geography, landscape architecture or a related field; or professional experience in coastal management or environmental restoration. 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 enqui
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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