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We are increasingly aware of the value of marine organisms for food, medicine and other products as well as for their role in influencing the climate. Marine Biology is the study of organisms that occupy 95% of the biosphere of our planet, living in conditions ranging from the polar seas (below -2℃) to hydrothermal vents (greater than 100℃). The majority of phyla are found in the oceans; the sizes of organisms range from the smallest micro-organism on the planet to the largest invertebrates (giant squid) and mammals (blue whales).

The BSc Marine Biology (with Foundation Year) programme combines a foundation year with the three year Honours Degree to create an integrated four year programme. The programme provides an excellent introduction to studying a science subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to study at degree-level. The with Foundation Year programme is ideal for applicants who do not quite meet the entry requirements for the three year degree or who would benefit from further a further year’s study in relation to studying a science subject.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will see you progress to Year 1 of the Marine Biology programme.

Why choose Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ for this course?

• As a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ student, you will be taught by committed and enthusiastic staff and will have access to the University’s extensive student support network and facilities.
• Our School is one of the largest university centres teaching Marine Sciences in Britain and is among the biggest in Europe.
• We are situated within a few metres of the sea, ideal for developing your skills in collecting data in estuaries, on the sea shore and at sea.
• We have a £3.5m ocean-going research ship which you will use during your studies.

Additional Course Options

Throughout the Marine Biology (with Foundation Year) degree you will study a range of modules and engage in a wide variety of different learning activities, which may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practicals. In addition, you will develop your knowledge and skills through undertaking a wide variety of assessments.

Many modules include day field trips. In year 2 there is a day trip and a field course based on the research vessel and in year 3 hypothesis testing exercises are undertaken during the intertidal field project. You also have the option of an overseas field course in Virginia, USA. Your practical work is continually assessed and examination of each module is by multiple choice questions (MCQ), laboratory tests and written examinations.

You will not only enjoy the resources expected of a modern centre of marine biology, with freshwater and marine aquaria, but will also benefit from the proximity of an exceptional range of marine habitats where field work, which is an integral part of the degree is conducted. We are unusual among British universities in having access to a state of the art research vessel.

What will you study on this course?

This very popular course allows you to study the fundamental aspects of the biology of marine life as well as more specialised aspects such as aquaculture, fisheries and marine biotechnology.

The Foundation Year component of the programme is designed to prepare you for degree-level study.  You will study a range of modules focused on your developing your academic skills and subject-specific knowledge, ahead of progressing to Year 1 of the programme.  You will complete modules focusing on IT and Communication Skills, Essential Mathematics and develop a range of skills through a subject specific research project. In addition, you will complete modules on Essential Biology and Essential Chemistry. 

Year 1 and 2 of the programme aim to consolidate and deepen your knowledge and widen skills base. The aim of the third year is to further develop your critical understanding of the subject and to further enhance your employability.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Marine Biology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

The Marine Biology (with Foundation Year) degree is ideal preparation for careers in research, conservation, marine resource management, fisheries and aquaculture, government advisory bodies, the scientific media, ecotourism and other leisure industries and pressure groups and many unrelated areas that require analytical skills.

Opportunities at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .