Program Overview

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Oceanography (MSci)

Award: Integrated Masters degree in Science

Typical Offer: AAB

Duration: 4 years

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton)

UCAS Course code: F700

About this course

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).

Practicals which use animals or their tissues are an important part of the course. These practicals follow ethical policies and we'll make adjustments for you if you have valid concerns about taking part.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Entry requirements

• AAB including two acceptable science subjects (minimum of grade B)
• Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including at least 5 and 6 in two Higher Level science subjects.
• D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA in two acceptable science A Level subjects.
• 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit.
• H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including two science subject
• D3, D3, M2 in three Principal subjects including two science subjects at a minimum of M2
• AAB from 3 A levels including two acceptable science subjects or AA from two A levels subjects including two acceptable science subjects and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Course structure

Year 1

• Coevolution of Life and Earth
• Dynamic Earth
• Earth and Ocean System
• How to be Scientifically Literate
• Introduction to Environmental Biogeochemistry
• Introduction to Marine Ecology and Evolution
• Physics of the Ocean

Year 2

• Geochemistry
• Monitoring Coastal and Estuarine Environments
• Ocean Data Analysis and Modelling
• Phytoplankton and Primary Production
• Sediment in the Environment
• The Dynamic Ocean

Year 3

• Applied Oceanography and Fieldwork
• Ocean and Earth Science Research Training
• Shelf Seas and Shelf Edge Dynamics
• Advanced Oceanography Fieldwork

Year 4

• Advanced Independent Research Project
• Advanced Oceanography Fieldwork
• Contemporary Topics in Ocean and Earth Science

Learning and assessment

• Lectures
• Classes and tutorials
• Coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• Essays
• Oral presentations
• Written exams

Careers and employability

• Environmental consultant
• Nature Conservation officer
• Water quality scientist
• Water engineer
• Hydrogeologist
• Meteorologist
• Geophysicist
• Oceanographer
• Geochemist
• Marine scientist

Fees, costs and funding

• UK students pay £9,535.
• EU and international students pay £28,800.
• Some field trip costs
• Personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
• Books that are not available in the library
• Equipment and materials used in projects
• Costs related to modules from different courses

Related courses

• Biology and Marine Biology
• Environmental Geoscience
• Geology
• Marine Biology
• Marine Biology with Oceanography
• Oceanography