Queen's University of Belfast - Medical Faculty
BSc in Marine Biology
Belfast, United Kingdom
BSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,300 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international student
Key Summary
About: The BSc in Marine Biology at Queen’s University Belfast is research-led; the faculty ranks among top ten UK universities for Research Intensity. You’ll study ecology, physiology, oceanography and biodiversity using lab and field methods to tackle overfishing, pollution, climate change and blue-economy issues. Facilities, accreditations, further-study pathways support skills in data analysis, fieldwork, lab techniques and communication.
Career Outcomes: Graduates progress to MSc/PhD study, research, conservation, education, policy. Expect roles in marine conservation, environmental consultancy, fisheries management, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, wildlife tourism, documentary filmmaking and academic study, plus NGOs, government agencies, blue-economy. Degree Plus/Future Ready Award adds placements, volunteering, international experience.
The oceans are a key element for the existence of life on Earth. 97% of all the water on Earth, and 99% of the habitable space on this planet, is in the ocean’ (source: NASA).
Marine biology is the interdisciplinary study of life in the ocean. At the present time, the position of marine biology graduates has never been as critical to the functioning of our society, economy, and environment. Complex issues such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change are colliding to bring about extraordinary and sometimes catastrophic changes in marine systems. As a marine biologist, you will apply cutting-edge technologies to help tackle these issues on a scale from molecules to ecosystems.
With regards to marine resources management the UK’s territorial waters stretch over 6.8 million km² (over fourteen times the terrestrial landmass) and within this vast area lies the blue economy: marine renewable energy, oil, gas, fish, minerals, and rare earth metals. To manage these resources in a sustainable manner requires assessment and guidance from highly skilled marine biologists.
Within this context, the Marine Biology degree at QUB is based on a research-led teaching format and will prepare students for a future in a diverse range of careers including marine conservation, environmental consultancy, documentary filmmaking, wildlife tourism, fisheries management, and academic study.
Marine Biology highlights
- Professional Accreditations
- World Class Facilities
- Student Experience
- Further Study Opportunities
Year 1
- Genetics and the Molecular Toolbox (20 credits)
- Biodiversity (20 credits)
- Molecular Basis of Life (20 credits)
- World of Microorganisms (20 credits)
- Fundamentals of Microbiology (20 credits)
- Environmental Biology (20 credits)
Year 2
- Marine Systems (20 credits)
- Vertebrate Biology (20 credits)
- Comparative Animal Physiology (20 credits)
- Applied Genetics (20 credits)
- Coastal and Oceanic Biology (20 credits)
Year 3
- Conservation Biology (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
- Behavioural Ecology (20 credits)
- Sustainable Oceans (20 credits)
- Global Change Biology (20 credits)
Assessment
The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning outcomes of each module.
Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.
Queen’s University Belfast is ranked 174th in the QS World University Rankings 2027
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2024 to apply for a scholarship.
An Honours degree in Marine Biology offers comprehensive training in one of the most popular environmental disciplines, and good graduates move on to pursue diverse careers at home and abroad.
Many recent graduates have secured MSc and PhD positions at leading universities in the UK, Republic of Ireland, and overseas whilst others work in secondary education or for conservation organisations and government environmental agencies.
The experience that you gain from applying the scientific approach to living organisms, solving numerical and practical problems, developing written and oral communication skills, and using a wide range of sophisticated equipment will also help you to find employment in a variety of non-biological careers.
Many employers are looking for graduates in any discipline, provided they show academic confidence, the ability to communicate, handle quantitative data, and solve problems, and have good social skills, a wide range of interests, and a record of success. We believe that studying Marine Biology at Queen's will enable you to acquire and develop these qualities.
The most generally appropriate professional bodies for graduate marine biologists are the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, the Fisheries Society of the British Isles, and the Society of Biology.
Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree program, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic, and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, but you'll also have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this the Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Learning and Teaching
On the BSc in Marine Biology, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation, and best practices in learning.
This is achieved by providing a range of learning experiences that enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society, and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning in this course are:
E-Learning technologies, lectures, personal tutoring, practicals, self-directed study, seminars/tutorials, supervised projects, work placements, and work-related learning in the form of field trips and study tours.