Marine Biology

Marine biology is the scientific study of life in the ocean, from the microscopic phytoplankton that form the base of the food web to the great whales that depend on them, and from the bacteria of deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the coral reef ecosystems that support some of the most diverse communities of organisms on Earth. It is a discipline with both fundamental and applied dimensions: understanding how marine organisms live, how they interact with each other and their environment, and how those systems are changing under human pressure is both scientifically fascinating and critically important for the future of the ocean and the communities that depend on it.

At the University of Hull you will study marine biology over three years of full-time study, examining sea level rise, melting ice, species extinction and the urgent need to protect marine resources alongside the foundational science of how marine organisms and ecosystems work. You will develop practical laboratory and fieldwork skills alongside conceptual knowledge of ecology, physiology, genetics and evolution as they apply to marine life. The typical tariff of 104 reflects a programme open to students with genuine scientific curiosity and commitment to understanding the natural world.

Marine biology graduates work in fisheries science, marine conservation, environmental consultancy, aquaculture, water quality monitoring, government agencies such as the Environment Agency, international bodies, research institutions and NGOs. Many go on to postgraduate study, including research degrees in marine biology, oceanography, fisheries management or conservation ecology. The combination of ecological understanding, practical fieldwork skills and awareness of the human pressures affecting marine systems prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the growing field of marine science and environmental management.