BSc Marine Conservation
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Marine Conservation, an undergraduate degree centred on marine science, conservation biology, and the protection of marine ecosystems. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Human Behaviour. Students may choose to undertake an optional professional placement year or study abroad. The first year introduces ecological systems, conservation science, spatial ecology, biodiversity, and oceanography through modules such as Ecology and the Diversity of Life, Introduction to Conservation Science, Spatial Ecology and GIS, and Oceanography. Year 2 advances into population ecology, conservation research, socioecological systems, and human impacts on marine environments, with compulsory study including Principles of Conservation Biology, Conservation Research Skills, and Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment. Optional modules across the course allow specialisation in areas such as animal behaviour, scientific diving, remote sensing, global change biology, and fish fisheries. The final year involves independent research through the SoBMS Project alongside advanced study in marine conservation policy and coastal ecosystem protection.
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Entry requirements
A level: 112 points including a minimum of 2 A levels, to include Grade C in a relevant Science subject: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Technology, Geography, Geology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology, Statistics. For candidates that do not have a second science subject at A level, please contact: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk . BTEC National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM 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. International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall to include at least one relevant subject at grade 5. English and Mathematics must be included. If overseas and not studying English within IB, must have IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all other elements. Foundation programme: Open to students progressing from all School of Biological and Marine Sciences foundation programmes passing FYM003 & FYM005 at 50% or higher and passing FYM001 & FYM006 at 40% or higher.
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What students say
Based on about 95 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 160 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Gained a higher qualification: 4%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 39 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 68%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Animal care and control services: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
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 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biology:Placement
- Ecology and the Diversity of Life
- Introduction to Conservation Science
- Exploring Nature Conservation
- Spatial Ecology and GIS
- Introduction to Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems
- Conservation Science Student Support Stage 1
- Oceanography
- Principles of Conservation Biology
- Conservation Research Skills
- Nature and People: Understanding Socioecological Systems
- Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment
- Conservation Science Student Support Stage 2
- Animal Behaviour
- Ecology
- Marine Conservation Field Course
- Scientific Diving
- Remote Sensing of the Environment
- Marine Conservation Policy and Planning
- SoBMS Project
- Marine Ecosystem Conservation
- Conservation Science Student Support Stage 4
- Coastal Cultures: Marine Anthropology in the age of climate change and mass extinction.
- Global Change Biology
- Advanced Behaviour Analysis Techniques
- Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates
- Fish and Fisheries
- Marine Pollution and Environmental Change
- Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Marine Conservation 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 Conservation at University of Plymouth do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Marine Conservation at University of Plymouth?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Marine Conservation at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
Does BSc Marine Conservation 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 Conservation at University of Plymouth?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.