BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology studies marine life from the coast to the deep sea, from microbes to vertebrates, covering ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation and the impacts of humans and climate on ocean life.

Faculty: Faculty of Science and Engineering | Department: School of Biological and Marine Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time (plus optional placement) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules: Cells: The Building Blocks of Life, Marine Biology Field Course, Evolution and Behaviour, Biodiversity and Introduction to Marine Biology. Year 2 core modules include Ecology, a Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Field Course, Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats and Methods in Marine Biology, Coastal Ecology and Oceanography. The final year has the SoBMS research project, Tropical Marine Ecology and options such as Global Change Biology, Behavioural Ecology, Fish and Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice.

Career pathways

As a marine biology graduate, careers include research institutions, charities and NGOs, monitoring the environment and fisheries, nature documentary filming and production, and promoting marine conservation messages.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent) English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above. Typical offer: 120 UCAS points from a minimum of 3 A levels including grade B in A level Biology. BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma: typically DDM depending on units studied. Access to HE: science-related diploma with at least 15 credits in biology plus 15 credits in a related science subject; typically 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit. T level: enquire with modules. International Baccalaureate: 30 overall including Higher Level Biology grade 5 (English and Maths accepted at Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5). Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the advertised tariff. International applicants must hold a suitable English language qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time tuition per year. Optional placement-year fees are charged separately and are excluded. Source

International applicants: GBP 19,200 a year (2026/27). Full-time tuition per year. Optional placement-year fees are charged separately and are excluded. Source

Duration: 3 years

Engineering