
OES Research Aquarium
Analysing and researching marine life
Marine biology seeks to understand patterns of biological diversity and quantify change in the marine ecosystem by studying how organisms interact with their environment. Our degrees offer you the opportunity to join an ocean science community ranked 1st in the UK and 4th globally for academic rankings among world universities in the Shanghai Ranking, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 2021 (Oceanography).
Marine Biology has developed exponentially with the discovery of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps; the ability to conduct experimental programmes at sea; the use of molecular methods in marine biology and the huge expansion of the data base on marine animals.
There has been an increase of interest in marine biodiversity, spanning the causes of and risks to high biodiversity, the scope for exploitation of natural resources and the potential impact of natural and anthropogenically induced change.
Our programmes offer interdisciplinary opportunities for students to expand their biological knowledge base in the broader context of the physico-chemical aspects of the marine environment.
F713 BSc Marine Biology (3 years)
F703 MSci Marine Biology (4years)
F7C1 BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography (3years)
F7C2 MSci Marine Biology with Oceanography (4years)
7N15 BSc Biology and Marine Biology (3 years)
7N16 MSci Biology and Marine Biology (4 years)
Marine Biology and Oceanography programmes are accredited by The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). Current students can apply for Student membership (SIMarEST) and once graduated have the option of several types of membership depending on their career path or interest, these include: Affiliate, Elective Member, Associate Member, Member or Fellow.
Analysing and researching marine life
Benefit from world-class research facilities and educational resources
Find out what our students think of Ocean and Earth Science
The development of skills in the field is a crucial component of our degrees, as well as being one of the most challenging and rewarding.
I chose to study at Southampton because of their outstanding reputation as a great University. Furthermore the Marine Biology course is run at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. The facilities and lecturers available there are very impressive.