BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, a marine biology and ecology degree focusing on ocean ecosystems, coastal environments, and biological conservation. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year. The first year covers foundational principles through Biodiversity, Evolution and Behaviour, and Oceanography. The second year builds competence via Ecology, Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Field Course, and Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats, alongside optional subjects such as Scientific Diving and Principles of Conservation Biology. The final year involves independent research through the SoBMS Project and Tropical Marine Ecology, with further choices spanning Global Change Biology, Behavioural Ecology, and Marine Conservation Policy and Planning.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
GCSE: All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) English and Mathematics at grade C / 4 or above. A level: 120 points from a minimum of 3 A levels, to include Grade B in A level Biology. BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/ QCF Extended Diploma: A typical offer would be DDM, depending on the BTEC and units studied. Please include details of units in your UCAS application or contact Admissions for further advice. 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. All Access courses: Science related Access Diplomas are considered. Must include a minimum 15 credits in biology units, plus 15 credits at maths, physics, chemistry, environmental science/studies, applied science, geography, geology, technology or psychology. Typically, we would require 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit. T level: Enquire within with modules. International Baccalaureate: 30 overall, to include Higher Level Biology grade 5. English and Maths are accepted within as GCSE equivalent at Higher Level Grade 4 or Standard Level Grade 5.
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 80%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 30%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 4%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 45%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 10%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Marine Biology related Placement
- Cells: The Building Blocks of Life
- Marine Biology Field Course
- Evolution and Behaviour
- Biodiversity
- Marine Biology Student Support Stage 1
- Oceanography
- Introduction to Marine Biology
- Ecology
- Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Field Course
- Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats
- Methods in Marine Biology, Coastal Ecology and Oceanography
- Marine Biology Student Support Stage 2
- Principles of Conservation Biology
- Biology of Marine Organisms
- Scientific Diving
- Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment
- Ecophysiology of Marine Animals
- SoBMS Project
- Tropical Marine Ecology
- Marine Biology Student Support Stage 4
- Global Change Biology
- Behavioural Ecology
- Speciation and Diversity
- Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates
- Fish and Fisheries
- Conservation Physiology
- Marine Conservation Policy and Planning
- Ecotoxicology
- Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £30,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth?
The average entrant had 150 UCAS points.
Does BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.