MRes Marine Biology

    MRes Marine Biology

    Duration1 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 28,243 / year(s)
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    MRes Marine Biology

    About

    Key features

    • Ranked top 15 in the UK and top 100 globally for Earth and Marine Sciences in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
    • Study in Plymouth, an internationally renowned city for marine biological research.
    • Participate in a specifically designed, topical programme jointly hosted by Plymouth University and the Marine Biological Association (MBA) of the UK.
    • Choose between pathways to suit your research interests, biodiversity and ecology or cellular and molecular biology.
    • Benefit from being taught by recognised experts with worldwide links to research organisations and projects.
    • Draw on our expertise, working alongside research staff on a personal project.
    • Undertake an extensive, original and innovative research project, often in collaboration with MBA Research Fellows, or one of our other partner institutions (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science and the National Marine Aquarium), either in the UK or abroad.
    • Excellent training for further research.
    • See the benefit from close links with the research community worldwide.
    Places are limited and in great demand. To ensure you have a good chance of securing a place, speak to us and apply as early as possible.

    Disciplines

    School of Biological and Marine Sciences

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Entry requirements

    Typically a first-class honours degree or equivalent in a biological subject, or a 2:1 honours degree with a 1st class grade or equivalent in a research project or dissertation. Applications considered from well-qualified graduates in other disciplines with relevant experience or interests – contact us for advice.
    Applicants should include in their personal statement a paragraph describing a research project they have been involved with, what the findings of that study were and what the wider relevance of these findings is. Applicants are advised to apply early as the course has limited capacity.
    International students: IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent.
    If you have overseas qualifications you can check their comparability with the UK equivalent through UK ENIC, who provide an advisory service.
    If your first language is not English then evidence of English proficiency is required. For further advice on the appropriateness of overseas qualification and proficiency in the use of English, please contact our International Office .
    The minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency for entry is 6.5.
    We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 59
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Career

    Careers with this subject

    Career opportunities
    Opportunities for trained marine biologists exist within the public and private sector worldwide, including regulatory bodies, government agencies, conservation organisations, environmental consultancies, aquaculture, and fisheries management. The programme also acts as a springboard to an academic career, typically via a PhD.
    Advice from graduate Olivia Durkin: 
     "Although I may have not followed the typical path of a marine biology graduate, I have always remained flexible in the available job opportunities and therefore gained a very varied skill set, enabling me to adapt to different roles and projects. Do what you enjoy and it’s ok if you don’t end up being the dolphin trainer you thought you might be."

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    28,243 / year(s)

    MRes Marine Biology

    University of Plymouth

    University of Plymouth

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Plymouth