BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Earth and Environmental Sciences. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods and Fieldwork. The course includes a field course in Devon and Cornwall and a residential field course aboard research vessels, with an optional placement year of up to 48 weeks. Final-year students undertake an independent research project.
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 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 15%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 20%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Animal care and control services: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 25%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 175 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 8%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 43%
- Wales: 7%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
- A degree: 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
- Biological Oceanography Field Course
- Biology of Marine Organisms
- Global Ocean Processes
- Methods in Marine Biology, Coastal Ecology and Oceanography
- Marine Biology Student Support Stage 2
- Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats
- Marine Molecular Biology
- Waves, Tides and Coastal Dynamics
- Scientific Diving
- Ecology
- Weather, Climate and Meteorology
- Remote Sensing of the Environment
- Biological Oceanography
- SoBMS Project
- Marine Biology Student Support Stage 4
- Ecotoxicology
- Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates
- Fish and Fisheries
- Ocean Dynamics
- Marine Ecosystem Conservation
- Tropical Marine Ecology
- Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £36,500. The £30,500 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography 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 Oceanography at University of Plymouth?
89% 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 Oceanography at University of Plymouth?
The average entrant had 125 UCAS points.
Does BSc Marine Biology and Oceanography 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 Oceanography at University of Plymouth?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.