Marine Biology with Oceanography (BSc)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

All modules are compulsory in the first year, providing the foundations for the rest of the course. There is an opportunity to specialise in years 2 and 3 by choosing optional modules and carrying out research. Studying marine biology with oceanography will expand your knowledge of marine biology alongside skills in chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Year 1 overview

Compulsory modules introduce you to the animals and plants that live in the marine environment. You'll also develop an understanding of the physical and chemical oceanography of the sea.

You'll gain the practical field skills needed by marine biologists, including:

• safe boat work

• taking samples

• logging data

• chart reading

Year 2 overview

You'll begin the year with a residential course in the UK, which provides a practical introduction to shore ecology. You'll then develop your knowledge through modules in coastal oceanography and phytoplankton.

At the end of year 2 you'll take part in a 10-day field course in Plymouth. You'll work from boats collecting samples and data that describe the marine chemistry, physics and biology of the estuarine and coastal environment.

Optional modules cover topics such as marine sediment habitats, marine vertebrates or the physical processes that are important in the ocean.

Year 3 overview

The independent research project is an opportunity to develop real-world and applied research skills, in design, execution, analysis and synthesis of experiments and data sets. You'll have the freedom to choose a topic within marine biology and oceanography that interests you.

Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas including fisheries, coral reefs, seafloor exploration and surveying or conservation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Martin Solan is the course leader.

You'll graduate from this course with the specialist skills and knowledge to start a successful career in marine biology, oceanography, or a related field.

Our graduates work for government agencies such as the British Antarctic Survey and the Environment Agency, and global corporations such as BP.

Our marine biology and oceanography graduates often continue their studies to postgraduate taught degree or PhD level. They also embark on careers at universities, museums or consultancies, or with employers such as NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science), Natural England or the Environment Agency.

Transferable skills in analysis, research, problem-solving and teamwork mean you'll also be ideally suited to work in many other areas.

Roles our marine biology and oceanography graduates have gone into include:

• marine scientist

• oceanographer

• conservation officer

• geologist

• fisheries officer

• oil spill consultant

• marine science officer

You can boost your employability by volunteering to work our research aquarium.

Our careers and employability service will help you to find work placements and graduate jobs, as well as offering specialist careers advice.

You’ll also be supported by your personal academic tutor and an employability coordinator, who can advise you on your career path throughout your course.

Contact us to speak to a careers advisor.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

This will allow you to try out a potential future career and apply the skills and knowledge you have learned during your course to a real-world setting.

You'll also gain experience that will add to your employability when you graduate.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: F7C1
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

Some candidates will be invited to a selection day, which will include an interview. If the Admissions Tutor decides to invite you to a selection day you'll receive an email. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000