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Marine Biology BSc (Honours) 2025 entry

Overview

Dive into the marine world and study the many exciting marine ecosystems, from the deep sea to coasts and estuaries and from the tropics to the poles. Through the course of your BSc in Marine Biology you will gain a thorough understanding of the diversity and biology of marine life from tiny cells and algae to invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals.

Entry Requirements

SQA Highers

• Standard entry grades: AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AABB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Gateway entry grades: Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: ABB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

IB points

• Standard entry grades: 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

General Entry Requirements

• All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

• Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent.
• Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.

Alternative Study Options

• Direct entry to second year: Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
• Integrated Masters: It is possible to take Marine Biology as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master of Science.
• Gateway programmes: Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.
• Study abroad: Marine Biology students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme.

International Applicants

• If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Course Details

• The BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology.
• Students are provided with high-tech equipment, laboratories and expertise to facilitate learning and to develop the skillset of a modern marine biologist.

Modules

• First year: Biology 1, Biology 2
• Second year: Ecology, The Oceans, Research Methods in Biology
• Third year: Biology of Marine Organisms, Ecosystems and Conservation, Evolution, Methods in Aquatic Biology, Statistical and Quantitative Skills for Biologists
• Fourth year: Tropical Marine Biology, Fisheries Research, Foraging in Marine Mammals, Biological Oceanography

Teaching

• Teaching format: lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, field work, research projects
• Assessment: coursework, written examinations

Fees

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535
• EU and overseas: £31,670

Careers

• Graduates from the School of Biology have a wide range of skills sought by employers.
• Biology graduates have secured employment as clinical scientists, consultant ecologists, marine mammal scientists, museum curators, outreach coordinators, scientific writers, school teachers.

What to do next

• Online information events: Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run.
• Undergraduate visiting days: We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.