| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
On this MSci Oceanography degree, you'll join one of the largest marine science communities in Europe. You'll address key environmental challenges facing our planet and study marine ecosystems and ocean processes. This includes the opportunity to explore some of the remotest places on Earth.
Go from classroom, to lab, to the field as you study at the world-leading
National Oceanography Centre Southampton
(NOCS). Our 4-year integrated master’s course will allow you to specialise through years 3 and 4, and to develop your research interests with experts in the field.You’ll study topics such as:
coastal change, from beach dynamics to sea level rise
ocean currents, globally connecting tropics to poles
the physical and chemical controls on life in the oceans
Fieldwork, practical skills and independent research are core parts of this programme. You’ll have the opportunity to:
choose an independent research project from the range of research that we cover
use modern instruments and sampling methods abroad our research vessel, the RV Callista
use laboratory analysis to explore the makeup of marine environments
develop essential computing skills for professional data analysis
obtain qualifications in first aid and sea survival techniques
You’ll gain the support, guidance and expertise of researchers at the forefront of their fields.
You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to follow a career in areas like:
environmental consultancy
ocean and climate research
coastal engineering and management
This degree is accredited by the
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
(IMarEST).Program Outline
Your first year will introduce you to the ocean systems. You'll develop a foundation in the biology, physics, chemistry and geology of the marine environment. You'll gain the field and laboratory skills, including boat work, that will underpin your studies.
In your second year, you'll apply your scientific knowledge and focus on a number of exciting pathways.
In your third year, you'll tackle more advanced topics and explore contemporary issues, including environmental management and changes in climate.
In your fourth year, you'll work with staff in the university, NOCS, or industry to produce a dissertation with a strong research or applied focus. You'll also choose specialist modules to prepare you for your onward career or study plans.
If you get top grades in your first year, you may be able to study abroad at a globally renowned research institution, usually for one semester. You might study areas such as polar oceanography or tropical storms, in
countries including the USA, Norway and Australia
.Year 1 overview
You'll study 5 compulsory modules:
Introduction to Ocean Biogeochemistry
Earth and Ocean System
Physical Oceanography 1
Introduction to Marine Ecology and Evolution
Key Skills for Marine Scientists
You'll also study 1 of these compulsory maths modules, based on your existing maths qualifications:
Introductory Mathematics for Chemists and Oceanographers
Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Quantitative Earth and Ocean Sciences
You'll then choose the rest of your modules from a wide range of options, including:
Macromolecules of Life
Dynamic Landscapes
Quantitative Methods in Marine Sciences
Ecology and Evolution
The Earth System
Year 2 overview
You'll take 6 compulsory modules to build your expertise:
Coastal and Estuarine Oceanography 1 and 2
Geochemistry
Methods in Oceanography
Physical Oceanography 2
Phytoplankton and Primary Production
If you took the Mathematical Methods for Scientists module in year 1, you'll choose 2 modules from the list below.
If you did not take the Mathematical Methods for Scientists module in year 1, you'll take a Quantitative Methods in Marine Science module here. You'll also choose 1 optional module from this list:
Geohazards and Earth Resources
Marine Benthos Ecology
Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Palaeobiology
Year 3 overview
You'll study 4 compulsory modules:
Applied Oceanography and Fieldwork
Oceanography and Marine Biology Research Training
Shelf Seas and Shelf Edge Dynamics
Advanced Oceanography Fieldwork
You'll choose 4 more modules from a list of options, including:
Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System
Large Scale Ocean Processes and Climate
Coastal Sediment Dynamics
Zooplankton Ecology and Processes
Computational Data Analysis for Geophysicists and Ocean Scientists
Year 4 overview
You'll complete 3 final compulsory modules:
Advanced Oceanography Fieldwork
Contemporary Topics in Oceanography and Marine Biology
MSci Advanced Independent Research Project
You'll choose how to develop your specialist knowledge by selecting 2 modules from a broad list of options, including:
Applied and Marine Geophysics
Deep Sea Ecology
Ecological Modelling
Environmental Radioactivity and Radiochemistry
Global Climate Cycles
Introductory Remote Sensing of the Ocean
Seafloor Exploration and Surveying
Want more detail?
See all the modules in the course.
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For Academic year 202324
A-levels
AAB including two acceptable science subjects (minimum of grade B)
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science subject are Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geology or Physics. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required. You will be required to attend an interview.
More information about A-levelsA-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including two preferred science subjects, and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB including two acceptable science subjects (minimum of grade B)
or
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including at least 5 and 6 in two Higher Level science subject.
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Acceptable science subject are Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation), Environmental Studies, Geology or Physics.
More information about International Baccalaureate DiplomaInternational Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
or
BTEC
D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA in two acceptable science A Level subjects We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma without two AA grades in acceptable science A Level subjects,
RQF BTEC
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Additional information
Acceptable science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geology, Geography or Physics. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
More information about BTECQCF BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA in two acceptable science A Level subjects. We do not accept the BTEC Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma without two AA grades in two acceptable science A Level subjects
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
orEntry requirements filter options
Show more entry requirementsIrish Leaving Certificate Scottish Qualification offers Cambridge Pre-U Welsh Baccalaureate
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including two science subject
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
AAAABB to include to include two preferred subjects.
Irish certificate additional information
Acceptable science subject are Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geology or Physics. Applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at ILC Grade C or 04, the equivalent of GCSE grade C/grade 4.
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the
University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF)
for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, M2 in three Principal subjects including two science subjects at a minimum of M2
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Acceptable science subject are Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geology or Physics. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels including two acceptable science subject or AA from two A levels subject including two acceptable science subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Acceptable science subject are Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geology or Physics. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical science assessment is additionally required. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English Language (or GCSE English), Mathematics and Science (minimum grade C/4).
Find the
equivalent international qualifications
for our entry requirements.English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
overall score
6.5
reading
6.0
writing
6.0
speaking
6.0
listening
6.0
We accept other English language tests.
Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our
Access to Southampton scheme
for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as
recognition of prior learning
)Find out more about our
Admissions Policy
.Students requiring a visa to study in the UK
In addition to the University’s own English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK. The current requirements are that:
English Language Tests
The University of Southampton accepts the following UKVI Secure English Language Tests:
Secure English Language Tests
must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.The University of Southampton also accepts the following English Language Tests:
Tests taken at a centralised test centre/venue:
iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) The University of Southampton does not recognise MyBest scores and will only accept scores taken in one sitting within the 2 years immediately preceding the programme start date. Please note, we currently do not accept the TOEFLiBT
Paper Edition.Tests taken at home:
Non-SELT English Language Tests
must usually be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.
Notes:
* You must present both certificates for the LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands FY, A, B, C, D, E) and the LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands F, G, H, I)
The University does not recognise any test not listed above.
