Oceanography

Oceanography is the scientific study of the ocean, encompassing its physical dynamics, chemical composition, biological communities and geological foundations. The ocean covers more than two thirds of the Earth's surface, drives the global climate system, supports an enormous proportion of all life on the planet and is central to the food, energy and transport systems of human civilisation. Understanding it is one of the most significant scientific challenges of the twenty-first century, given the pace of change driven by warming, acidification and overexploitation.

Oceanography sits at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology and geology, making it one of the most genuinely interdisciplinary of the earth sciences.

At the University of Southampton, which hosts one of the largest marine science communities in Europe, this four-year full-time MSci degree gives you a master's-level qualification built on deep engagement with the ocean from multiple scientific perspectives. You will study ocean circulation, sea-level change, deep-sea ecosystems, marine chemistry, sedimentary processes, biological oceanography and the role of the ocean in the Earth's climate system. The programme addresses key environmental challenges facing the planet, and you will have the opportunity to explore some of the remotest places on Earth, with research cruises forming part of the training.

Southampton's exceptional research infrastructure, including research vessels and world-leading laboratories, means you work alongside scientists at the forefront of the discipline throughout your studies.

Graduates of oceanography programmes go on to careers in marine and climate research, environmental consultancy, government agencies concerned with fisheries, marine planning and environmental regulation, the energy sector (including offshore and renewable energy), hydrographic surveying and science communication. The master's-level qualification makes graduates competitive for research positions and doctoral study, and Southampton's postgraduate provision in ocean and earth science provides an excellent continuation for those drawn to academic or advanced applied research careers.