Program Overview

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BSc Marine Science - 2026 entry

Overview

Study marine science in Cornwall’s distinctive and diverse marine environment. Graduate with training in physical, biological, geological and environmental marine science through practical, hands-on modules. Develop a strong core knowledge of oceanography which encompasses mathematical, coding, data analysis, writing, research, and field skills including conducting research at sea. Gain access to leading research groups including Exeter Marine as you develop pure and applied marine sciences research projects. Boost your employability with placement opportunities within the offshore sector and marine and environmental agencies.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

• A-Level: ABB-BBB
• IB: 32/665-30/555
• BTEC: DDM-DMM

Contextual offers

• A-Level: BBC-BCC
• IB: 28/554 - 26/544
• BTEC: DMM

Prof. Placement/Study Abroad:

• A-Level: BBB - BBC
• IB: 30/555 - 28/554
• BTEC: DDM - DMM

Course content

Marine Science is the holistic study of our oceans and their relationship with the Earth’s geology, atmosphere, polar ice and marine life. The BSc Marine Science programme at Exeter covers a broad range of disciplines from physical oceanography, marine biology, marine biogeochemistry, geology, climate science and marine renewable energy to marine resource governance, oceans and human health, and law.

Year 1

• 105 credits of compulsory modules, 15 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

• BIO1433: Marine Biology (30 credits)
• GEO1405B: Earth System Science (15 credits)
• GEO1419: Introduction to data science (15 credits)
• GEO1420: Atmospheric and Oceanic Systems, Their Interactions and Importance (15 credits)
• GEO1421: Marine and Environmental Science Field Course (15 credits)
• GEO1422: Marine Science Tutorials (15 credits)

Optional modules

• CSM1031: Earth and Environmental Chemistry (15 credits)
• CSM1041: Quantitative Methods for GeoScientists (15 credits)
• GEO1408B: Global Issues in Environmental Science (15 credits)
• GEO1423: Biodiversity and its Conservation (15 credits)
• LAW1016C: A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection (15 credits)

Year 2

• 75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

• GEO2441: Remote Sensing for Environmental Management (15 credits)
• GEO2460: Environment and Sustainability on the Isles of Scilly (15 credits)
• GEO2462: Research Design and Methods (15 credits)
• GEO2457: Physical Ocean Processes (15 credits)
• GEO2461: Second Year Tutorials (15 credits)

Optional modules

• CSM2183: Sedimentology (30 credits)
• ECE2001: Oceans and Human Health (15 credits)
• ECM2911: Mathematics of the Environment (15 credits)
• GEO2440: Geographical Information Science and Systems (15 credits)
• GEO2449: Green Consultants (15 credits)
• GEO2450: Biogeography (15 credits)
• GEO2451: Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans (15 credits)
• GEO2467: Climate Change: The Physical Basis of the IPCC (15 credits)
• LAW2016C: Environmental Regulation and Redress (15 credits)
• BIO2462: Marine Ecology (30 credits)
• BIO2465: Wildlife Exploitation (15 credits)

Placement/study abroad year (if taken)

• Find out more about placement and study abroad options under Course variants.

Final year

• 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

Compulsory modules

• GEO3477: Dissertation in Marine Science (45 credits)
• GEO3463: Research Cruise (15 credits)

Optional modules

• BIO3409: Symbiosis in Marine Systems (15 credits)
• BIO3433: Ocean Management and Conservation (15 credits)
• CSM3072: Climate change: Past and Future (15 credits)
• ENE3003: Marine Renewable Energy (15 credits)
• GEO2449: Green Consultants (15 credits)
• GEO3455: Marine Climate and Environmental Change (15 credits)
• GEO3461: Arctic Frontiers: Can We Preserve the Arctic Environment? (15 credits)
• GEO3466: Biological Oceanography (15 credits)
• GEO3470: Marine and Coastal Social-ecological systems (15 credits)
• GEOM363B: Themes in Climate Change (15 credits)
• LAW3301C: Law and Policy for Sustainable Organisations (15 credits)
• GEO3473: Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (15 credits)

Course variants

BSc Marine Science with Professional Placement

• UCAS code: CF23
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Penryn Campus
• Discipline: Geography
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)

BSc Marine Science with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: CF22
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Penryn Campus
• Discipline: Geography
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)

Fees

• UK students: £9,535 per year
• International students: £30,900 per year

Year abroad

• If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full academic year studying abroad, you will pay a reduced fee of 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.

Professional placement year

• If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee of 20 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.

Fieldwork

• Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in field courses, you will be required to cover any visa costs and, if necessary, purchase anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations. You may also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen.

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Learning and teaching

• Where will I study? At the Penryn Campus in Cornwall you will be welcomed into an intimate and supportive learning environment that encourages enthusiasm and passion for your subject, and promotes interest in the global challenges we seek to address.
• How will I learn? As you progress through the programme, you will develop the skills to pursue your own academic interests and gain a more nuanced appreciation of discipline areas in which our marine research staff have specialised.

Assessment

• Your progress is monitored through tutorial work and practical assessments. The final degree mark is based on approximately 50 per cent exam-based and 50 per cent coursework-based assessments.

Academic support

• As well as a minimum of 10 hours of direct contact time with your lecturers per week in your first year, all students have a personal and academic tutor who is available for advice and support throughout their studies and to support the transition to university-level learning.

Facilities

• We have a large variety of equipment that can be used on student research projects. These include a wide range of equipment to measure marine parameters, including conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) arrays and plankton and seabed sediment sampling devices.

Optional modules outside of this course

• Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course.

Proficiency in a second subject

• If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.

Your future

• Employer-valued skills this course develops:
  • Practical field and seagoing technical ability
  • Remote sensing
  • Data gathering
  • Information retrieval
  • Numerical modelling
  • Problem solving
  • Project planning and management
  • Organising and communicating information
  • Report production and presentation (written and oral)
  • Plus the ability to work effectively on your own and as part of a team.

Careers services

• We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation.

Career paths

• Likely career paths include:
  • integrated coastal zone management
  • environmental management
  • modelling
  • offshore renewables
  • offshore hydrocarbons
  • offshore carbon sequestration
  • marine engineering
  • conservation and marine policy

Related courses

• Geography BA (Exeter)
• Politics and Geography BA (Cornwall)
• Geography BA/BSc (Cornwall)
• Global Sustainability BA/BSc
• Environmental Science BSc
• Environmental Science MSci

Why Exeter?

• Student life
• Our campuses
• International students
• How to apply
• Open Days and visiting
• Accommodation
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