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The University of Southampton
Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton

Alumni

When you graduate from Ocean and Earth Science you will become part of the University’s global community of over 183,000 alumni.

Our network spans the globe and includes alumni in a variety of careers and pursuits. Our friends include industry, foundations and individuals, who partner with us to advance our educational efforts.

Whether you would like to learn more about alumni benefits or are interested in our work, we encourage you to contact us or visit us at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. We welcome the involvement and support of our global community of former students and friends.

Where are they now?

Find out what our alumni have to say about their time at Southampton and what they are doing now.

Photo of Ben Hannam
My studies and experiences at Southampton shaped my future massively as it gave me the skills employers were looking for.
Photo of James Adcock

Your degree from Ocean and Earth Science means that you have been taught well and gained a sound base from an internationally recognised institution to build upon in your chosen career.

James Adcock - BSc Geophysical Sciences
Photo of Julfikshan Ahmed Mukhti

In my experience, sharing knowledge is one of the best ways to know your strengths and weaknesses.

Julfikshan Ahmed Mukhti - MSc ECE, 2015
Photo of Diva Amon

I gained most of the important skills needed for a research career in marine science: lab experience, at-sea experience, analytical experience, writing experience as well as managing my time and thinking independently and creatively.

Diva Amon - MSci Marine Biology, 2009; PhD Ocean and Earth Science, 2013
Photo of Antony Benham

I place a lot of my success down to the excellent teaching at Southampton and I am very pleased that I chose to go there; it was definitely the right choice for me!

Antony Benham - BSc Geology
Photo of Alec Bennett

The knowledge gained on my course was a great advantage in my later studies in meteorology at MSc and PhD level

Alec Bennett - BSc Geophysical Sciences
Photo of Sarah Birchenough

Being at NOCS meant that you could be learning about marine biology in one of the best research centres in the country with access to all the facilities and labs, facilitating practical work and the ability to learn useful analysis skills

Sarah Birchenough - Master of Marine Biology
Photo of Katie Chalk

Many of the teaching staff had great links to industry, which made gaining professional experience easier.

Katie Chalk - MSc ECE, 2015
Photo of Emma Chambers

The University of Southampton stood out as it was one of the few universities in the country to offer this degree.

Emma Chambers - MSci Geophysics, 2014
Photo of Emma Collins

I chose Southampton partly because of its reputation as the best place to study marine biology/oceanography in the UK and partly because of the excellent facilities and staff.

Emma Collins - BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography
Photo of Emma Cross

Antarctic Studies was my chosen final year dissertation topic, which gave me grounding in Antarctic science and helped me get my current job.

Emma Cross - MSc Marine Biology
Photo of Alex Elliott

Having all the lecturers and support staff in one place was helpful and the facilities at NOCS are very well organised for the degree programmes

Alex Elliott - MSci Geophysics
Photo of Liam Fernand

My days in Southampton are still very important to me. Not only has my course shaped my subsequent career (I still dig out my lecture notes occasionally) but also because even as an undergraduate the University encouraged me to become an active member of the marine science community.

Liam Fernand - BSc Oceanography with Physics
Photo of Jane Francis

Southampton was one of the first to encourage independent learning and give students a choice of modules

Jane Francis - BSc Geology, 1978; PhD Geology, 1982
Photo of Maisy Fuller

I gained an understanding of a broad range of fields within marine biology and learnt numerous research techniques, all thanks to the fantastic teaching staff and hi-tech equipment available to students

Maisy Fuller - MSci Marine Biology, 2016
Photo of Helen Godwin

The course provides you with so many skills that there are so many different paths you can take after finishing the course.

Helen Godwin - MSc ECE, 2014
Photo of Hannah Goswell

Studying geology at Southampton provided me with an excellent skills base to handle both the theoretical and practical demands of my job.

Hannah Goswell - MSc Geology, 2007
Photo of Rebecca  Green

Studying at NOCS was such a fulfilling experience; you are surrounded by such a supportive, vibrant community of scientists, with leading researchers always willing to share their vast experiences and knowledge.

Rebecca Green - Masters of Science in Oceanography
Photo of Thomas Haine

I decided upon Oceanography after studying my undergraduate degree in physics. I did not want to study the physics of the very small or very large as a postgraduate, and wanted to do something more applied and tangible.

Thomas Haine - PhD Oceanography
Photo of Ben Hannam

My studies and experiences at Southampton shaped my future massively as it gave me the skills employers were looking for.

Ben Hannam - BSc Geophysics
Photo of Melanie Hanvey

Studying at NOCS was an enriching experience – I had access to, and interactions with, some of the leading professionals in the field of oceanography, encompassing all disciplines from geophysics to marine biology

Melanie Hanvey - MSci Oceanography
Photo of Will Harris

Much of what I learned while studying at Southampton applies to my sailing. Weather patterns, ocean currents and seabed topography were just a few of the subjects covered in depth during my time there.

Will Harris - BSc Oceanography with Physical Geography, 2015
Photo of Josh Hasdell

My MSci in Marine Biology gave me the opportunity to study in a diverse set of locations! I worked with complex underwater scanners while directing a 50ft research vessel off the coast of Cornwall. I worked in Bermuda in a secured underground rock pool with over 100,000 upside-down jellyfish! I also spent time in Dale Fort, Wales and Falmouth in Cornwall. What better way to learn about tropical biology than to swim with tropical turtles in Bermuda?! What other degree in the world lets you do that?!

Josh Hasdell - MSci Marine Biology, 2015
Photo of Edward Henden

I am now working as a seismic processor - the company I work for has projects all over the world, with plenty of opportunities for advancement in my career.

Edward Henden - BSc Geophysics
Photo of Sophie Hodgson

I chose the University of Southampton for my Masters because the National Oceanography Centre was the best place to study the subject.

Sophie Hodgson - MSc Oceanography, 2002
Photo of Max Holloway

My studies at Southampton completely shaped me as a researcher. The new skills I developed allowed me to secure a NERC funded PhD studentship, based at the British Antarctic Survey and tied with the University of Bristol.

Max Holloway - MSc Oceanography, 2012
Photo of Ophelie Humphrey

On top of the world-class facilities and teaching, I have found that doing the Study Abroad programme gave me the independence, confidence and desire to travel and work abroad.

Ophelie Humphrey - MSci Marine Biology with Study Abroad, 2016
Photo of Gareth Jenkins

I am confident that was it not for my time at Southampton, I would not have had the knowledge and enthusiasm that had enabled me to pursue a career in geology.

Gareth Jenkins - BSc Geology
Photo of Joanna Jones

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Southampton and would recommend it to anyone thinking about studying ocean and earth sciences.

Joanna Jones - MSci Marine Biology
Photo of Justine Jury

Being part of the National Oceanography Centre Southampton means students are essentially immersed in an environment of current and leading oceanographic research.

Justine Jury - MSc Marine Science, Policy and Law, 2010
Photo of Kate Kelly

Studying for an MSc in Oceanography led directly into both the technical career I have pursued ever since as well as influencing my writing

Kate Kelly - MSc Oceanography
Photo of Matthew King

There are so many advantages about studying in Southampton, especially for the marine sciences.

Matthew King - BSc Oceanography
Photo of Emmy McGarry

Both the knowledge gained on the course and the links that Southampton University have with the National Oceanography Centre were invaluable in gaining me my current role.

Emmy McGarry - MSc Oceanography, 2019
Photo of Helen Miller

The flexibility of my MSc course allowed me to initially follow a general pathway and later specialise in geological and marine geophysical courses

Helen Miller - MSc Oceanography
Photo of Raeanne Miller

While my MSc gave me the skills I needed to successfully pursue a PhD in marine science, it also gave me a really broad knowledge base in oceanography, which has been incredibly valuable. It also gave me valuable skills to work across diverse teams.

Raeanne Miller - MSc Oceanography, 2009
Photo of Alex Mustard

I wouldn’t be the photographer I am today without my time at Southampton.

Alex Mustard - BSc Oceanography with Marine Biology
Photo of Alexander Neufeld

Without my time at the University of Southampton I do not think I would be where I am now, and I am very proud to say that I was part of the 2005 Master of Geology family. I would recommend, and have recommended, Southampton to anyone with an interest in geology.

Alexander Neufeld - MSci Geology
Photo of D. Amavi  Nimesha Silva

My MER journey took me to four of the most highly reputed institutions in Europe - University of Bordeaux in France, University of the Basque Country in Spain, University of Liege in Belgium, University of Southampton in the UK - and exposed me to quite dynamic, energetic and exciting learning and researching environments at each institution.

D. Amavi Nimesha Silva - 2 Year MSc in Marine Environment and Resources, 2019
Photo of Siri Ofstad

Studying at the NOCS was truly an invaluable experience for my career in research.

Siri Ofstad - MSci Oceanography, 2015
Photo of Nerea Palacios

The University is firmly linked to industry and it hosts many company presentations, career fairs and recruitment events. ECE students are highly valued by maritime firms.

Nerea Palacios - MSc ECE, 2015
Photo of Urval Patel

Due to the National Oceanography Centre’s and the university’s reputation as a world-renowned research institution and centre of excellence in teaching, many projects involve work which is completed in close collaboration with and are part- or fully-funded by industry.

Urval Patel - MSci Geology, 2008
Photo of Francesca Pereira

From oceanographic surveying at sea to coding at a computer, the skills I developed at Southampton were instrumental for me to make the most of my year abroad in Miami and securing a job at DSTL.

Francesca Pereira - MSci Oceanography with Study Abroad, 2019
Photo of Edgar Peter-Dabbi

I’ve had the opportunity of being involved in exciting and challenging projects, both locally and abroad.

Edgar Peter-Dabbi - MSc ECE, 2013
Photo of Alejandro Pinto

The University of Southampton is well positioned in both national and international rankings, and you get to learn from the world’s leading experts.

Alejandro Pinto - MSc ECE, 2016
Photo of Tristan Pridham

This course helped me prepare for employment by tailoring certain modules to be nearly identical to the work I now undertake on a regular basis.

Tristan Pridham - MSci in Geophysics
Photo of Elise Quinn

Studying at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, you really will be surrounded by experts in your field from day one.

Elise Quinn - MSci Marine Biology, 2017
Photo of Georgina  Robinson

I like working at the interface between industry and academia, and am currently undertaking research for a commercial abalone farm in South Africa on the high density culture of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

Georgina Robinson - BSc Marine Sciences with French
Photo of Anna Sandiford

I hold all my career achievements up as being a direct result of my BSc and MSc from the University of Southampton and I have often lauded the benefits of geology as a degree when I give evidence in court and when giving my many presentations to students, members of the legal profession and the general public.

Anna Sandiford - BSc(Hons) in Geology (1988-1991), MSc in Micropalaeontology (1992-1993)
Photo of Nina Schroeder

I decided to come to Southampton, and especially to NOCS, because of its international reputation as an excellent research and educational facility.

Nina Schroeder - Master of Science in Marine Science policy and law, 2012
Photo of Francesca Trotman

The wide range of research going on at NOCS also means there’s a supervisor available for almost anything you’re interested in studying.

Francesca Trotman - MSci Marine Biology, 2015
Photo of Phillip Turner

Studying at UNCW provided me with a more rounded marine biology degree, modules at Southampton provide both oceanographic understanding behind biological processes and general ecology.

Phillip Turner - MSci Marine Biology with study abroad
Photo of Emily Venables

I've been on three Arctic cruises (one whilst still an undergraduate on the MOcean course), three cruises to the NE Atlantic and I've spent two months working on an ice shelf in Antarctica. I wouldn't change it for anything

Emily Venables - MSci in Oceanography
Photo of Jennifer Watts

The course was highly interesting and enjoyable, while the skills and knowledge I have acquired have proved to be invaluable to employers in this sector.

Jennifer Watts - BSc Oceanography, 2014, MSc ECE, 2016
Photo of Lucy Wells

After a year in the tourism industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands, I was headhunted by the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources to manage the artificial reef projects in place, to salvage threatened corals in the area.

Lucy Wells - BSc Marine Biology
Photo of Laura Wicks

I enjoyed my time at the NOCS. It was such a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, and it was a great place to be based, with its excellent facilities and teaching standards.

Laura Wicks - BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography

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