Biology and Marine Biology (MSci) at University of Southampton

About

With our MSci degree in biology and marine biology, you’ll develop knowledge about the living world from the molecular level to entire ecosystems across both terrestrial and marine biology. You'll learn through through lectures, laboratory work, and by doing fieldwork in the UK and abroad. You’ll be well equipped for careers involving research, conservation, inshore fisheries and habitat management.

Our master's degree in biology and marine biology will give you knowledge and understanding of living organisms at several levels - from the molecular, through cells and whole organisms, to ecosystems. It will also give you an understanding of biology from an evolutionary perspective.

Through the world-leading research institution, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), you'll become part of one of the largest marine science communities in Europe. Our research feeds directly into what you'll learn on our biology and marine biology master's degree programmes. Our research vessels are only a 10 minute walk from the lecture theatres and boat-based fieldwork is an important part of the programme.

In this MSci Biology and Marine Biology course, you can:

take part in a full fieldwork programme including residential trips in the UK and abroad, including Thailand.
combine scientific work in the laboratory with practical skills classes on shore and on the water
complete an independent research project working alongside research active staff – this will set you up for career in further research or a specialised master's
choose from a selection of modules depending on your area of interest - for example, you can study the business biosciences, which looks at the process of drug discovery, clinical trials, marketing and the sale of drug products
learn highly sought-after transferable skills, including team working, written and oral communication, time management, planning, data collection, analysis and presentation

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. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

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

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAB including Biology (minimum grade B) and one further science subject

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science subjects are Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Science, 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.

A-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 Biology and one further science subject, 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.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 and 6 at Higher Level Biology one further Higher Level science subject

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable science subjects include Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation), Environmental Science, Geography and Geology.

International 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 A Level Biology and one further science subject We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma without two AA grades in A Level Biology and one further science subject,

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 Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Science, 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.

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA in A Level Biology and one further science subject. We do not accept the BTEC Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma without two AA grades in A Level Biology and one further science subject.

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.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit.

Access to HE additional information

A core science Access to HE Diploma to contain Level 3 modules in Biology (to include ecology) and either Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science and Maths. If you are unsure whether the Access you are studying would be accepted, please contact the Admissions Team before submitting an application.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including Biology and one further science subject.

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

AAAABB to include Biology and one further science subject

Irish certificate additional information

Acceptable science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Environmental Science, Geography and Geology. Applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at ILC Grade C or O4, 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 Biology and one further science subject at a minimum of M2

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Acceptable science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, and Geography. 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 Biology and one further science subject or AA from two A levels subject including BIology and one further science subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Acceptable science subjects are Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Science, 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.

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.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T Level in a relevant subject should apply for the Science Foundation Year

English Program Requirements

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.

Career

Careers

This course will help you develop the specialist skills and knowledge needed to start a successful career in conservation, coastal research, inshore fisheries and habitat management, or related fields.

Alternatively, you might decide you want to continue your studies to postgraduate taught level, or pursue marine biology PhD opportunities.

Our marine graduates have gone on to work for government agencies such as the British Antarctic Survey and the Environment Agency, and global corporations such as BP.

They have also embarked on careers at universities, museums and consultancies, or with employers such as NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science), Natural England or the Environment Agency.

Transferable skills in analysis, research, problem-solving and teamwork mean you'll also be ideally suited to work in many other areas.

Roles our graduates have gone into include:

marine scientist
oceanographer
conservation officer
geologist
fisheries officer
oil spill consultant
marine science officer

You can boost your employability by volunteering to work our research aquarium.

Our careers and employability service will help you to find work placements and graduate jobs, as well as offering specialist careers advice.

You’ll also be supported by your personal academic tutor and an employability coordinator, who can advise you on your career path throughout your course.

Contact us to speak to a careers advisor.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

This will allow you to try out a potential future career and apply the skills and knowledge you have learned during your course to a real-world setting.

You will also gain experience that will add to your employability when you graduate.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,300

Application Fee

GBP

Biology and Marine Biology (MSci)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines