BSc (Hons) Marine Conservation at University of Plymouth

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Marine Conservation trains students to explore, protect and restore marine ecosystems, combining ecology, conservation, and marine and social sciences with hands-on fieldwork and survey techniques.

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 begins fieldwork immediately and builds a foundation in ecology and the diversity of life. Year 2 covers Principles of Conservation Biology and modern conservation topics such as citizen science, blue health, ocean literacy and the blue economy, with options including Animal Behaviour and Ecology. The final year centres on an independent research project (SoBMS Project) with options such as Coastal Cultures, Global Change Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates, Fish and Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice.

Career pathways

Marine conservation is a growing sector. Graduate pathways include conservation organisations and NGOs, government and regulatory agencies, marine industry and sustainable business, and science communication and education.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer: 112 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A levels including grade C in a relevant science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Environmental Technology, Geography, Geology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology or Statistics); applicants without a second science A level should contact admissions. BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM in a relevant science subject. International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall including at least one relevant subject at grade 5, with English and Mathematics included; overseas applicants not studying English within the IB need IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all other elements. Foundation route: progression from School of Biological and Marine Sciences foundation programmes passing FYM003 and FYM005 at 50% or higher and FYM001 and FYM006 at 40% or higher. Contextual offers are typically 8 points below the advertised tariff.

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