Marine Biology with Oceanography
About this course
Integrated Masters degree in Science in Marine Biology with Oceanography, a marine biology and earth and environmental sciences degree centred on the study of marine organisms within their environments from coasts to deep sea systems. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Communication & Writing. The course is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and features boat-based fieldwork alongside research facilities at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. The first year covers foundational subjects through Earth and Ocean System, Introduction to Environmental Biogeochemistry, and Introduction to Marine Ecology and Evolution. The second year introduces core concepts through Coastal Ecology Field Course, Monitoring Coastal and Estuarine Environments, and The Oceans in a Changing Climate, with optional modules such as Marine Benthic Ecology and Marine Vertebrates. The third year advances knowledge with Applied Oceanography and Fieldwork, and Ocean and Earth Science Research Training, while offering optional topics like Ecotoxicology and Marine Conservation and Policy. The final year culminates in the Advanced Independent Research Project and Contemporary Topics in Ocean and Earth Science, alongside optional modules including Biological Data Science in R and Tropical Marine Biology Field Course.
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
A level: AAB including Biology (minimum grade B) and one further science subject IB: Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 and 6 at Higher Level Biology and one further Higher Level science subject
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 79%
- Organisation and management: 79%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 8%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 26 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 245 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 16%
- South East: 34%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 4%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 83%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Foundation course: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) on behalf of the Science Council and IMarEST for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Marine Scientist.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Earth and Ocean System
- How to be Scientifically Literate
- Introduction to Environmental Biogeochemistry
- Introduction to Functional Marine Biology
- Introduction to Marine Ecology and Evolution
- Marine Invertebrates
- Physics of the Ocean
- Coastal Ecology Field Course
- Monitoring Coastal and Estuarine Environments
- Phytoplankton and Primary Production
- Sediment in the Environment
- The Oceans in a Changing Climate
- Zooplankton Ecology and Processes
- Marine Benthic Ecology
- Marine Vertebrates
- Molecular Tools for Marine Biology Research
- Ocean Data Analysis and Modelling
- Applied Oceanography and Fieldwork
- Ocean and Earth Science Research Training
- Shelf Seas and Shelf Edge Dynamics
- Behavioural Physiology
- Ecotoxicology
- Fish Evolution and Ecology
- Large Scale Ocean Processes and Climate
- Marine Conservation and Policy
- Marine Fisheries Ecology
- Marine Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology
- Seascape Ecology
- Understanding Coral Reefs
- Advanced Independent Research Project
- Contemporary Topics in Ocean and Earth Science
- Advanced Oceanography Fieldwork
- Biological Data Science in R
- Climate and Climate Change
- Coastal Morphodynamics
- Deep Sea Ecology
- Ecological Modelling
- Marine Conservation and Policy
- Marine Reproduction
- Sea Level Rise and Coastal Management
- Seafloor Exploration and Surveying 2
- Tropical Marine Biology Field Course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £41,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £8,500 more than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Is Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) on behalf of the Science Council and IMarEST for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Marine Scientist.
How many students continue on Marine Biology with Oceanography at University of Southampton?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.