Marine Biology

Marine biology at the level of an integrated master's degree takes you into some of the most intellectually rich and scientifically demanding territory in the biological sciences. The oceans are vast, poorly understood, and under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss. Marine biologists work at the frontier of ecological and evolutionary science, studying organisms and ecosystems that range from the microscopic to the immense, from the sunlit shallows to the lightless deep sea.

At St Andrews, one of the UK's leading marine research universities, this five-year full-time MMarBiol degree is taught at an advanced, research-led level throughout. You will study marine molecular ecology, marine microbiology, and the ecology, evolution, development, and biology of marine life from invertebrates to top predators. The programme covers marine environments ranging from the deep sea to coasts and estuaries, from tropical seas to polar oceans, giving you a genuinely global perspective on marine life.

You will gain practice in cutting-edge methods for gathering and analysing data from marine environments and the organisms that inhabit them, developing the technical skills and research judgement of a practising marine scientist. A year abroad is embedded in the programme, and the typical entry tariff of 232 points reflects the high academic expectations.

Graduates from this integrated master's programme are exceptionally well placed for careers in marine research, conservation, environmental consultancy, government agencies such as the Joint Nature Conservation Committee or CEFAS, international ocean science organisations, and policy roles dealing with ocean governance and sustainability. The depth of training at St Andrews makes graduates competitive for doctoral research, and many go on to PhD study in marine science, ecology, or oceanography.