Marine Biology

Marine biology investigates the extraordinary diversity of life in the world's oceans, seas, and coastal habitats, from microscopic phytoplankton at the base of marine food webs to the largest animals that have ever lived. It is a discipline that combines the core sciences of ecology, physiology, evolution, and genetics with the specific challenges and fascinations of studying organisms in aquatic environments, including the technical demands of fieldwork in some of the most dynamic and inaccessible habitats on Earth. As human activity continues to transform marine environments, marine biologists play an increasingly important role in understanding and protecting ocean ecosystems.

This four-year full-time degree at the University of Aberdeen develops your scientific understanding of marine life across scales, from molecular and cellular biology through organism physiology to population ecology and ecosystem dynamics. You will study marine habitats including sandy beaches, rocky shores, mudflats, estuaries, open ocean, and the deep sea, through both field-based and laboratory practical work. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study marine biology in a different geographic and oceanographic context, encountering ecosystems and species that extend well beyond those of the North Atlantic.

A typical entry tariff of 168 points applies.

Marine biology graduates pursue careers in conservation, environmental consulting, marine protected area management, fisheries science, oceanographic research, and public science communication. Many work for environmental agencies, conservation organisations, government bodies, and international scientific programmes. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate research in marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries science, or related environmental sciences, and graduates who develop strong quantitative skills are increasingly in demand in data-driven environmental and resource management roles.