MRes Scientific Diving

Scientific diving is a highly useful skill to the marine scientist, but obtaining professional standard training is very difficult. Many science divers start off with recreational diving qualifications and gradually gain professional skills over many years. The MRes Scientific Diving programme aims to train you comprehensively in the core skills you need to work professionally as a diving scientist at the start of your scientific career. With the increasing understanding of the importance and vulnerability of the oceans, and the push to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030, employment potential for highly skilled graduate scientific divers globally is increasing, from the poles to the tropics.

• Year 1

• The programme is structured around four new modules:

  • SCIDIV5000 Scientific diving dissertation project - A nine-month research project either based at the Marine Station , or embedded within a UK-based or international organisation that utilises data collected from scientific diving.
  • SCIDIV5001 Scientific diving field course - A module in which students apply the skills they have learnt in planning, executing, analysing and presenting the results of a tropical field diving expedition.
  • SCIDIV5002 Scientific diving research skills - This module will include training in how to run field-based projects and expeditions, marine species identification as well as statistical and experimental design.
  • SCIDIV5003 - Scientific diving theory and practice - Including the existing HSE SCUBA Diving Course with alternative options for students who already hold this qualification, as well as the theory and practice of a wide range of scientific diving methods.

  Core modules

  SCIDIV5000
  Scientific Diving Dissertation Project

  The dissertation project will generally be based with an external organisation, although some projects may be based at the University. It will provide students the opportunity to draw together what they have learnt, while planning a scientific diving research project, collecting data, analysing that data and producing a dissertation, or report, to a professional standard, as well as presenting their findings orally.

  SCIDIV5001
  Scientific Diving Field Course

  This module will provide the students with the opportunity to apply the scientific skills they have learnt during the programme to undertake a multi-day scientific diving fieldwork programme as part of a dive team. In addition, the module will provide the students an opportunity to apply their newly gained underwater research, experimental design and species identification skills.

  SCIDIV5002
  Scientific Diving Research Skills

  This module will introduce the students to the theory of experimental design and statistics, providing knowledge on how to design, plan and implement scientific diving fieldwork, as well as gain species identification skills. A series of face-to-face and online seminars will give students an understanding of the logistics involved with planning and executing expeditions and fieldwork around the world.

  SCIDIV5003
  Scientific Diving Theory and Practice

  This module provides the core professional HSE SCUBA diving skills for the programme and an alternative suite of training courses for those students who already hold the HSE SCUBA qualification. Thereafter, the module will build on these skills and teach the key theoretical knowledge and in-water practical skills required to be a scientific diver, in research, governmental, or commercial roles.

MRes Scientific Diving programme specification 2025

An honours degree in a relevant discipline such as marine biology, marine science, biology, zoology, ocean science, or an overseas equivalent at 2.1 or better.

If a candidate applies with a degree in a non-related discipline this may be considered if the applicant has significant relevant industry experience.

A minimum of grade C in English language at GCSE level OR a minimum overall score of 6.5 in IELTS with no less than 5.5 in any component.

We cannot accept late entries onto the programme even if they have all the pre-requisites as attendance at all teaching sessions on the HSE SCUBA courses, or alternate skills provision is essential. All students must be in Plymouth the Monday before Induction week, if they wish to attend the University organised HSE diving medicals, First Aid at Work and Oxygen Administration courses. For those students who already hold an HSE diving medical, First Aid at Work and Oxygen Administration certificate they must be available from the Monday of Induction week.

Please ensure you complete and submit the MRes Scientific Diving disclaimer form upon application.

As part of the generic PG application criteria, all applicants are generally required to present a personal statement. However, for this MRes Scientific Diving, we would instead like applicants to provide a short-written piece (2 pages maximum) around what they see as the pressing marine conservation priorities and their motivations for undertaking the programme and a CV as standard, including details of previous diving experience.