Marine Biology BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised; contacting our friendly advisers is the best way to find out if you’re eligible for a place.

You can get in touch through live chat or our hotlines. Call us on 0800 073 5050, or if you’re an international student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000.

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2024.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2024. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

The planet cannot survive without its oceans. Our mission is to nurture and train you as a marine biologist with the skills needed to solve global challenges. You’ll enjoy a unique experience at Newcastle University and develop the skills and knowledge for a successful career.

A career in Marine Biology is perfect if you are passionate about the environment, love the ocean, want to make a difference in the world and are driven to stand out in a competitive industry.

You will address key challenges of today including:

• loss of marine biodiversity
• marine conservation
• climate change
• marine pollution
• sustainable use of our marine resources

You’ll explore all marine life, from invertebrates, fish, seabirds and marine mammals to plants, algae and bacteria. You’ll also investigate the chemical and physical properties of the world’s oceans and their impact on marine life.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

You’ll cover a broad range of topics to provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge in Marine Biology. This foundation will help you understand more complex challenges and solutions as you progress in your degree.

You'll also be introduced to standard laboratory procedures, experimental design, sampling methods, field observations, and recording, analysing and displaying scientific information.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Marine Biology	20
Diversity of Marine Animals	20
The Marine Environment	20
Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences	20
Marine Practical Skills 1	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers	20

You’ll develop a deeper understanding of marine ecology. You’ll learn how your skills in marine biology apply to a range of contexts, including industrial, biotechnology and food production.

You’ll develop your skills and knowledge through laboratory practicals, workshops, field trips and a residential field course. You’ll also develop your future employability with modules such as Academic and Employability Skills, as well as Marine Practical Skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Tropical Marine Ecology	20
Applied Marine Biology	20
Oceans and Climate I	20
Academic and Employability Skills	20
Marine Practical Skills II	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Evolutionary Biology	20
Deep-Sea and Polar Biology	20
Marine Vertebrate Biology and Ecology	20

In Stage 3, you’ll complete your marine research project either in the UK or overseas. As part of your project, you’ll submit a scientific paper and present your findings to staff and students. This experience is invaluable as writing research papers is a core requirement in the field.

You'll also study advanced marine biology and zoology. These topics focus on the latest research within the field including deep-sea ecology, DNA meta-barcoding and animal tracking.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Marine Research Topics I	20
Advanced Marine Research Topics 2	20
Global Marine Science	20
Research Project	40

Optional Modules	Credits
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Advanced Marine Research Topics 3	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2023-24.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

During the course, you'll be taught via a variety of methods, including:

• lectures and seminars
• laboratory practicals
• research vessel practicals
• field work
• research project
• small group tutorials

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Interviews

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical experience

With miles of coastline and the North Sea on your doorstep, you’ll enjoy a unique learning experience at Newcastle.

You'll be challenged to put theory into practice out in the field.

Field trips are vital as you explore the marine biology of different environments. These include:

• exploring the marine environment on the Isle of Cumbrae
• overseas residential field course in locations such as Portugal, Mexico, or Malaysia

Business skills

You'll gain industrial experience through:

• employability module in Stage 2
• work placements
• study abroad opportunities
• industrial visits

You'll also develop key skills, including:

• writing proposals
• designing experimental studies
• writing scientific reports and papers
• delivering presentations

Research skills

Research is at the heart of what we do. You’ll benefit from research-led teaching, which includes the latest findings from your lecturer’s own research. Recent discoveries include a new species of sawshark (Pliotrema kajae) and microplastics in deep sea systems.

You will develop your research skills in the laboratory and out at sea. You’ll have access to outstations on the coast and complete fieldwork in the North East.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus.

During your studies, you'll learn in modern laboratories. You can visit the Great North Museum, where there's a range of important biological collections. We also have our controlled-environment aquaria situated in the Ridley 2 Building.

You will study live marine animals at our Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats. With a live aquarium on-site, you’ll examine a range of wildlife to study. You’ll also develop survey and identification techniques and environmental assessment skills.

Our research vessel, The Princess Royal, is a floating laboratory. It is an integral part of your learning experience at Newcastle. Activities on the vessel range from oceanographic characterisation of river plumes to remote camera surveys of offshore habitats.

Support

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university. 

You will have access to a dedicated School of Natural and Environmental Advisor who will signpost, advise, and guide you on your well-being, should you need it.    

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

During your second year, you’ll do a 35-hour placement in the marine sector. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience. It can also lead to exciting job opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone on to work with the organisations they trained with.

Our graduates have a strong reputation in the industry. They’ve secured jobs with:

• Ocean Ecology
• Natural Power
• BBC Natural History Unit
• Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve

By the end of your course, you’ll have a range of transferable skills that are useful in other careers. Our graduates have built successful careers in fields such as computing and finance.

Industry links

Join our network of confident and successful graduates. They’ve benefitted from our industry links with:

• Marine Management Organisation
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• Natural England
• Greenpeace
• National Trust
• BBC Natural History Unit
• Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 30600

Home Fee Students

Home students starting in 2024 entry
£9,250 is the maximum fee that we are currently permitted to charge for home fee-paying students. This is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Home students starting in 2025 entry

In November 2024 the government increased the maximum fee level to £9,535 for 2025/26. It is expected that Parliament will approve the Government’s proposed increase in January and we intend to confirm our Home fees at this higher level following this.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

 

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages