BSc Marine Biology - 2024 entry

Entry requirements (typical offer)

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

*Accepted science subjects: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Studies, and Environmental Science; Geography; Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only); Marine Science; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Nutrition and Food Science; Physics; Psychology

Course content

Our BSc Marine Biology programme focuses on understanding the biology of marine organisms and their ecosystems. We place special emphasis on whole animal biology, biodiversity, ecology and behaviour.

The programme provides you with the skills, concepts, and experience required to understand all aspects of marine ecosystems and the pressures they face, ranging from overexploitation to climate change. Our interdisciplinary approach to the study of marine ecosystems, from rocky shores to open-oceans and from shallow surface seas to deep-water habitats, allows you to develop a wide range of theoretical and practical techniques. The interface between research and learning is central to the degree programme and equips our graduates for career opportunities across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Course variants

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £30,900 per year

Year Abroad and Professional Placement

If, as part of your four-year degree programme, you spend a full academic year studying abroad you will pay a reduced fee of 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year. If you spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee of 20 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.

Fieldwork

Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in these optional field courses, you will be expected to cover the cost of travel to some locations, which will be outlined clearly beforehand. However, field courses with no additional travel costs are available to select in each year.

You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Fieldwork

We pride ourselves in offering an extensive range of field courses across our Biosciences degrees with exciting local, national and international destinations.

These field courses not only allow you to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations in superb locations, but also provide a fantastic opportunity to forge lasting relationships with fellow students and academics.

The residential field courses are an opportunity to apply your field skills first-hand in environments studied by our world-leading Ecological researchers. They are designed to complement your degree and highlight conservation issues at the forefront of the subject for terrestrial and marine species and habitats.

»  Read more about our field courses

Please note, whilst a compulsory field course is included in the tuition fee, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. Field course destinations are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Fieldwork
• Laboratory sessions
• Independent study
• Regular research seminars, by our staff and visiting lecturers

Learn from experts

We believe that every student benefits from being part of a culture that is inspired by research and being taught by experts. You will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and be an active member of a research team. Our academics bring their results from the laboratory and the field directly to their teaching, and our students also help to collect this data.

In your final year you will become an active member of our research team. We have very close links with a wide range of conservation organisations in the UK and overseas, such as the British Trust for Ornithology, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Marine Conservation Society. These links mean you will benefit from frequent guest lectures, placement opportunities and project work.

Assessment

Your first year does not count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. All marks after your first year count towards your final classification.

Modules are assessed using a variety of methods including essays, exams, presentations, laboratory reports and a dissertation.

Academic support

• Personal Tutor: You will have a Personal Tutor available for advice and support throughout your studies.
• Study skills: Help with essay writing, research skills, time management, presentations and more.

Peer mentoring

All first-years will have the opportunity to join dynamic weekly groups, hosted by both second-year and PhD Biosciences students in Cornwall, which span a range of key areas, such as:

• Social and pastoral care
• Key skills
• Employability
• Discipline-specific support

These groups allow you to benefit from advice from your more experienced peers, helping ease your transition into university life.

The subject of the inaugural meeting is decided by the group leader, but you can then suggest subsequent session topics, so sessions are tailored to your direct needs.

Social media groups, such as on Facebook and Google, are also used for continued group discussions and communication outside of the weekly meetings.

There are direct links between session content and modules, which immediately follow lectures where possible.

Facilities

Our facilities include:

• Teaching laboratories
• Computing suites
• Field equipment for research projects
• Library and online resources
• Access to research vessel used to support undergraduate teaching and research projects

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

• A Foreign Language
• Data Science
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation
• Law (Penryn Campus only)
• Leadership
• Management
• Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Employer-valued skills this course develops

A degree in Biosciences will help you to develop a wide range of essential skills such as analytical problem solving, team work and organising and communicating information. Many of our students continue their studies in the subject by following a further degree and research in their chosen area.

Supporting your career in Biosciences

Each year Biosciences students are able to access a huge range of opportunities to support their future career options. Sector related careers and employability sessions are put on for the students over the course of their programme which include: career talks and networking events with visiting alumni and employers from a range of backgrounds, employability seminar series events hosted by employers, ‘Dragons Den’ style assessment days, mock interviews and an annual Careers Fair where students can develop networking skills.

Careers Services

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