Program Overview

MSci Marine Biology - 2026 entry

Overview

Our MSci provides an opportunity to work on a project focused on a specialised area aligned with one of our leading research groups. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the biology of marine organisms and the ecosystems in which they reside. Learn concepts, and develop skills and experience, required to understand all aspects of marine ecosystems and the pressures they face, ranging from overexploitation to climate change. Be taught by some of the world’s leading biologists, working in evolution, behaviour, ecology and conservation, and undertake fieldwork in the UK and further afield. Study at our modern, eco-friendly Penryn Campus, situated in one of the UK’s most beautiful and inspiring regions, with a stunning natural environment that serves as your classroom.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

• Qualification: A-Level, IB, BTEC, GCSE, Access to HE, T-Level
• Typical offer:
  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34/665
  • BTEC: DDD
  • GCSE: C or 4 and B or 5
  • Access to HE: 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade
  • T-Level: Not accepted
• Contextual offers:
  • A-Level: ABC
  • IB: 30/555
  • BTEC: DDM
• Accepted science subjects:
  • Biology/Human Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing
  • Design and Technology
  • Economics
  • Electronics
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only)
  • Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths/Statistics
  • Marine Science
  • Nutrition and Food Science
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Science (applied)

Course content

The four-year MSci Marine Biology programme mirrors the BSc Marine Biology programme during the first three years, and includes an additional fourth year during which you will undertake an advanced research project. You will also undertake a two-week intensive field course in which your scientific field-research, debating, and presentation skills will be further developed.

Year 1

• Develop a broad knowledge of the biology of the marine environment alongside core understanding of biological and ecological principles. Emphasis will be placed on theory underpinned by fieldwork and the development of a suite of techniques appropriate to studying life in the sea.
• 90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO1434: Ecology and Conservation
  • BIO1433: Marine Biology
  • BIO1436: Evolution and Genetics
• Optional modules:
  • BIO1437: Life Processes
  • BIO1435: Animal Diversity

Year 2

• Make use of the skills and concepts learned in your first year to study marine life with a particular focus on the interaction between organisms and their environments. Concepts explained in detail in the classroom are brought to life in the field.
• 75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules.
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO2426: Analysis of Biological Data
  • BIO2450: Biosciences Penryn Virtual Field Course
  • BIO2462: Marine Ecology
  • BIO2464: Marine Monitoring
  • BIO2470: UK Marine Field Course
• Optional modules:
  • BIO2414: Evolutionary Ecology
  • BIO2423: Wildlife Disease
  • BIO2461: Conservation Science
  • BIO2463: Animal Behaviour
  • BIO2465: Wildlife Exploitation
  • BIO2466: GIS for Wildlife Mapping
  • BIO2467: Adaptations to Life on Earth
  • BEP2150: Ecological Economics
  • ECE2001: Oceans and Human Health
  • ECM2911: Mathematics of the Environment
  • GEO2441: Remote Sensing for Environmental Management
  • GEO2451: Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans
  • GEO2457: Physical Ocean Processes
  • GEO2449: Green Consultants

Year 3

• Work closely with an academic member of staff and carry out a detailed independent research project in the wild or a laboratory. You may also take a bespoke marine biology residential field course in order to gain practical experience of research in the wild.
• 75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules.
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO3136: Research Project
  • BIO3423: Azores Field Course
  • BIO3429: Northern Spain Field Course
  • BIO3444: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation in Wild Places: The Forests and Oceans of Yukon and Alaska
  • BIO3430: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation: Costa Rica Field Course
  • BIO3440: Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course
  • BIO3407: Literature Review in Evolution and Ecology
  • LES3001: Preparing to Graduate
• Optional modules:
  • BIO3116: Marine Vertebrate Conservation
  • BIO3400: Living in Groups
  • BIO3407: Literature Review in Evolution and Ecology
  • BIO3409: Symbiosis in Marine Systems
  • BIO3410: Sensory Ecology
  • BIO3411: Science in Society
  • BIO3413: Animal Life Histories
  • BIO3415: Ecological Responses to Climate Change
  • BIO3420: Evolutionary Biology of Health and Disease
  • BIO3421: Animal Migration
  • BIO3422: Animal Cognition
  • BIO3433: Ocean Management and Conservation
  • BIO3443: The Genome: Applications, Evolution and Ecology
  • BIO3135: Human Behavioural Ecology
  • ECE3001: Living with Environmental Change
  • ECE3003: Global and Planetary Health
  • GEO3455: Marine Climate and Environmental Change
  • GEO3466: Biological Oceanography
  • GEO3470: Marine and Coastal Social-ecological systems
  • BIO3434: Major Transitions in Evolutionary History

Final year

• Work on an advanced literature review and a research project, both focused on a specialised area. The remainder of your time will be spent on a two-week intensive field course.
• 120 credits of compulsory modules.
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIOM052: Academic Research Project
  • BIOM4043: Rewilding the United Kingdom
  • LESM003: Literature Review in the Life Sciences
  • LESM005: Applied Data Analysis

Fees

• Please note: The fees for students starting in 2026 have yet to be set. The fees provided below are the fees for students starting in 2025 and are for guidance only. We will post the fees for 2026 entry shortly.
• Tuition fees for 2025 entry:
  • UK students: £9,535 per year
  • International students: £30,900 per year

Fieldwork

• Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in these optional field courses, you will be expected to cover the cost of travel to some locations, which will be outlined clearly beforehand. However, field courses with no additional travel costs are available to select in each year.
• You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. 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.
• Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

Learning and teaching

• How will I learn?
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Fieldwork
  • Laboratory sessions
  • Independent study
  • Regular research seminars, by our staff and visiting lecturers
• Learn from experts
  • We believe that every student benefits from being part of a culture that is inspired by research and being taught by experts. You will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and be an active member of a research team. Our academics bring their results from the laboratory and the field directly to their teaching, and our students also help to collect this data.

Assessment

• Your first year does not count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. All marks after your first year count towards your final classification.
• Modules are assessed using a variety of methods including essays, exams, presentations, laboratory reports and a dissertation.

Academic support

• Personal Tutor: You will have a Personal Tutor available for advice and support throughout your studies.
• Study skills: Help with essay writing, research skills, time management, presentations and more.

Peer mentoring

• All first-years will have the opportunity to join dynamic weekly groups, hosted by both second-year and PhD Biosciences students in Cornwall, which span a range of key areas, such as:
  • Social and pastoral care
  • Key skills
  • Employability
  • Discipline-specific support

Facilities

• Our facilities include:
  • Teaching laboratories
  • Computing suites
  • Field equipment for research projects
  • Library and online resources
  • Access to research vessel used to support undergraduate teaching and research projects

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. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

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
  • A degree in Ecology and Conservation will help you to develop a wide range of essential skills such as analytical problem-solving, teamwork and organising and communicating information.
• Supporting your career in Ecology and Conservation
  • Each year Ecology and Conservation students are able to access a huge range of opportunities to support their future career options.
• 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
  • Many of our graduates are employed in discipline-relevant roles in the UK and overseas including laboratory-based positions, conservation management, ecology, teaching and nursing. Others use the skills gained on their course to enter widely different career paths in law, business or management.