Program Overview

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Bachelor of Earth Sciences and Master of Oceanography

Course Details

Overview

Challenge yourself with a Bachelor of Earth Science and Australia’s only Master of Oceanography while gaining a unique experience at UWA.

Key Details

• Duration: 4 years full time or equivalent
• Attendance: Full-time, part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1
• ATAR: 90
• Course code: CM012
• CRICOS Code: H

Careers and Further Study

Career Pathways

There are diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies, and research institutions. The need for marine and coastal management, marine renewable energy, safe use of the ocean, and aquaculture will require graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge of oceanography.

• Oceanographer
• Coastal Officer
• Marine Consultant
• Geologist
• Geochemist
• Geophysicist

Postgraduate Study at UWA

• Master of Oceanography

Challenge yourself with Australia’s only Master of Oceanography while gaining a unique experience at UWA.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

• Fee calculator

International Student Fees

Annual course fee (2025): $49,300.00

• Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership, and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

• Search Scholarships

Admission Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 16
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 80
• French Baccalaureate: 13.5
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 570
• GCE A-Levels: 12
• German Abitur: 2.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 17.5
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 79
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 86
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 30
• Malaysian STPM: 15
• Monash University Foundation Year: 308
• NCUK Foundation Program: 12
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 4.6
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 12
• South African National Senior Certificate: 5.8
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 344
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 16.5
• Trinity College Foundation: 338
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 8
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 74
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 12
• US College Board SAT: 1270
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 70
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 90

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA, and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

• Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Mathematics Requirement

This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.

• WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR

How to Apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course Structure

In your first three years, you will complete the Integrated Earth and Marine Sciences (extended major) and a semester of postgraduate study. You will then complete your selected specialisation in the Master of Oceanography.

Why Study This Course?

• An Earth Sciences degree from UWA will provide you with knowledge and skills that are highly valued by employers of geoscientists.
• Emphasis is placed on practical skills gained in the laboratory and through fieldwork, and can be applied to a diverse range of employment opportunities in industry, consultancies, and government.
• The Master of Oceanography is the only course of its kind in Australia and will leverage Western Australia's position on the Indian Ocean and unique marine environment including pristine coastal areas and ocean processes shaped by the Indian and Southern Oceans.

You'll Learn To

• Critically analyse the physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes operating in coastal to deep marine environments
• Apply practical skills needed for management of coastal and marine zones with critical social, economic, and cultural value that are increasingly impacted by climatic changes
• Use key knowledge and practical skills in the collection and interpretation of scientific data in both terrestrial and marine settings as well as data analysis and synthesis techniques
• Develop strong interdisciplinary knowledge and technical skills to take advantage of diverse career opportunities in government, industry, consultancies, and research institutions.

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry-relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

• SCIE2205 Science Work Placement Unit
• SCIE2206 Science Consultancy Project

Your Degree Options

• Bachelor of Earth Sciences
• Master of Oceanography

Research Centres

• Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Purpose-built collaborative facility for marine science and ocean engineering research.

• UWA Oceans Institute

The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management, and governance to address key ocean challenges.