*Fieldwork viability is subject to government guidelines in response to COVID-19.
Marine science
Explore, understand and protect our ocean systems
Why Plymouth?
- ' Benefit from the Marine Station - our landmark £5 million coastal teaching and research facility
- ( Residential field trips – currently South Africa, Isles of Scilly, Bahamas*
- 6 Fleet of research vessels, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation
- @ Plymouth boasts one of the highest concentrations of marine scientists in Europe
- ( Extensive local fieldwork practice and hands-on experience
- > Gain the HSE PRO SCUBA qualification
Which course?
Undergraduate courses
Focuses on exploring and mapping the underwater environment using acoustic and optical techniques, from coast to deep ocean, with wide ranging career opportunities.
Focuses on the marine environment and its life support systems helping you to understand how we can protect marine ecosystems and manage the seas sustainably.
Focuses on the dynamic processes that drive the ocean circulation, support life within it and shape our coasts.
If you know you want to do ocean science but lack the specific entry requirements for courses above this may be the ideal route for you. It will provide an excellent grounding in the skills and knowledge you need to progress onto our undergraduate courses with confidence.
Postgraduate programmes
MSc programmes – these include two taught terms (120 credits) and a four month research dissertation (60 credits)
MRes programmes – these programmes have only one taught semester (60 credits) followed by a 9 month research dissertation (120 credits)
Maldives research
Physical oceanographic processes strongly influence the behaviour of animals living within the marine environment.
In this video, Dr Phil Hosegood explains how ocean currents influence manta ray foraging in Hanifaru Bay in the Maldives where some of the world’s largest manta aggregations are observed. Phil also explains the instrumentation he used during the research, which was limited to working from a small boat and deploying kit by hand due to the conservation status of Hanifaru Bay.
Ocean science - week 2
Jordan Elliot-Murray (first year) - BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation - tells us about her first few weeks studying within the subject area of ocean science with the University of Plymouth."It's only our second week in Plymouth, and we're already on the boats; we're already in the Marine Station; we're already having a fantastic time using all of the equipment."