Course Summary

Do you have a passion to understand and protect life in our seas? This course offers an integrated approach to understanding the oceanographic processes that support life in our oceans, how marine ecosystems function and how marine activities can be managed sustainably. You’ll learn about the policy structures designed to protect marine ecosystems and our oceans, and be primed with the skills and enthusiasm to confidently start a job in marine conservation management and scientific research. You will gain specialist skills including ecological survey methods and quantitative data analysis, and qualitative skills related to stakeholder data collection such as structured interviews and questionnaires. You’ll develop your range of practical skills with our own fully-equipped fleet of boats, a £4.65 million Marine Station used as a base for fieldwork afloat, and industry standard oceanographic and surveying equipment. * Gain specialist skills including ecological survey methods and quantitative data analysis, and qualitative skills related to stakeholder data collection such as structured interviews and questionnaires. * Prepare for careers in marine conservation and other marine industries such as environmental consultancy and the marine energy sector. * Draw on expert staff involved in internationally-leading research including managing protected populations and marine protected areas (MPAs), marine and coastal governance, marine ecosystem services and economics, and society and the sea. * Develop your range of practical skills with our own fully-equipped fleet of boats, a new £4.65 million Marine Station used as a base for fieldwork afloat, and industry standard oceanographic and surveying equipment. * Option to take the industry-recognised professional diving qualification (HSE Professional SCUBA) alongside your degree and an optional dedicated scientific diving module to provide training and qualification for diving-based research projects and employment (limited places and additional costs apply). * Experience an overseas field course that is aimed at integrating ocean science and marine conservation knowledge and understanding across the different sub-disciplines to address real-world issues.

Course Details - Modules

Your first year, shared across the Marine Science Undergraduate Scheme, introduces the full range of topics within the degree and develops your underpinning scientific knowledge and practical skills. You’ll develop your understanding of the Earth’s oceans and the key physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in these systems. You’ll build practical skills and enhance your ability to analyse, present and interpret scientific data through field-based activities. Your second year introduces specialist marine conservation concepts and continues to build knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in ocean science. The core marine conservation modules develop an understanding of the range of impacts human activities have on marine ecosystems. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your interests through a choice of option modules covering areas such as coastal oceanography, scientific diving and more advanced hydrographic survey and mapping methods. During your final year you’ll develop your scientific skills with the opportunity to participate in a residential field course. A large part of your final year will be spent on an independent research project with guidance from an academic advisor. Taught modules will complete your advanced understanding of marine ecosystem conservation and marine conservation policy and management. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your specific interests, for example in marine pollution or biological oceanography, through an option module. The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Course Details – Assessment Method

17% of assessment is by exam, 73% by coursework, 9% is practical.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: F732

Institution code: P60

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 4

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

112-128 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Excluding General Studies. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Excluding General Studies. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers, Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Considered in combination

Pass Access (Science) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction in a relevant Science subject. It is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the Access. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

112 - 128 UCAS Tariff points including two Advanced Highers including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Excluding General Studies. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Considered in combination

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

To include a Grade 5 at Higher Level in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5.

In a relevant Science subject. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

To include at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at H1-H7 or O1-O4.

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Considered in combination

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Must have Grade C / 4 at GCSE Maths and English

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 With 5.5 in all elements.
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 55%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 74%

Go onto work and study: 89%

Fees and funding

Additional Fee Information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees * Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

Provider information

Drake Circus
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Plymouth
PL4 8AA

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