Marine Biology

Marine biology is the scientific study of life in the ocean, from microscopic phytoplankton and bacteria to whales and coral reef ecosystems. The marine environment covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface and remains in many ways the least explored part of the biosphere. Understanding it is increasingly urgent: oceans regulate climate, support fisheries that feed billions of people, and are under pressure from pollution, acidification, warming, and overfishing.

Marine biologists bring ecological, physiological, and behavioural perspectives to these challenges, developing the knowledge needed to monitor, manage, and restore marine systems.

At the University of Newcastle, this three-year, full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, making it one of the more structurally rich marine biology degrees available. The sandwich year and placement give you direct experience of working in marine science or conservation settings, whether on research vessels, in field stations, or with environmental agencies. The year abroad opens up the possibility of studying marine systems in a different part of the world, broadening your ecological experience and scientific perspective.

Newcastle's marine programme benefits from the university's connections with marine research organisations and its location on the North East coast. You will study marine ecology, oceanography, taxonomy and identification, marine physiology, fisheries biology, and conservation science, alongside field and laboratory research methods. A typical entry tariff of 136 UCAS points indicates the scientific background expected for entry.

Marine biology develops observation skills, quantitative analysis, field research techniques, and the ability to communicate scientific findings to specialist and general audiences.

Graduates work in marine conservation, environmental consultancy, fisheries management, water quality monitoring, government agencies, and research. Many pursue postgraduate study leading to research careers in oceanography, ecology, or conservation biology.