Marine Biology

Marine biology is the scientific study of life in the ocean and coastal environments, encompassing the extraordinary diversity of marine organisms from phytoplankton and coral to sharks and whales, and the ecosystems they form. It is a discipline driven both by curiosity about the natural world and by urgent practical need: marine ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction, and understanding how they function is essential to protecting them.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and gives you the skills you need to contribute to the conservation and understanding of the marine environment. You will study marine ecology, oceanography, animal physiology, genetics, and conservation biology, developing both the theoretical understanding of how marine systems work and the practical field and laboratory skills needed to investigate them. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement experience, making it one of the more generously structured undergraduate marine biology programmes in terms of professional and international exposure.

These opportunities allow you to work with different marine ecosystems in different geographical and institutional contexts, broadening your scientific perspective and professional network.

Graduates from accredited marine biology programmes work in conservation organisations, fisheries management, environmental consultancies, government agencies, aquaculture, research institutions, and international environmental bodies. The RSB accreditation supports progression toward professional membership and is valued by employers in the sector. Further study at postgraduate level in marine biology, oceanography, aquatic ecology, or conservation biology is a natural route for those who wish to pursue research or specialist careers.