Marine and Freshwater Biology
Entry requirements
A level
To include B in A-level Biology.
Pass in Access qualification in a relevant subject with Merit in 50% of units at level 3.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include 5 points in Biology at Higher Level.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
For BTEC applicants, the Applied Science route is required for this course. Alternative biology based Level 3 courses may be considered.
UCAS Tariff
To include B in A-level Biology.
Aberystwyth University welcomes the Welsh Baccalaureate as a valuable qualification in its own right and considers completion of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate to be equivalent to an A level grade.
About this course
Situated on the coast of Cardigan Bay with a hinterland rich in rivers, streams and lakes, Aberystwyth University is the ideal location to study of Marine and Freshwater Biology. Easily accessible habitats range from mountain streams bearing salmon and trout and unique habitats for freshwater invertebrates, through estuaries of international importance, to sandy beaches, rocky reefs, salt marsh and a bay that is home to the largest residential population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK.
We have two research vessels that give you hands-on experience of the range of skills used by professional marine and freshwater biologists. A modern aquarium facilitates aquarium systems for experimental studies of marine and freshwater organisms. Passionate teaching staff that conduct world-leading research across a wide range of marine and freshwater subject areas - you may have even seen some of them on TV documentaries explaining the secret lives of aquatic organisms.
You can participate in two residential field courses, each focused on either marine or freshwater biology. Our wonderful museum and herbarium are full of historic specimens collected from around the globe by generations of famous Aberystwyth University scientists. We have also invested over £55 million in the infrastructure of student facilities.
We have exchange agreements with universities in Europe, USA, Canada, and elsewhere, so you can apply to spend all or part of your 2nd year studying marine and freshwater biology overseas. You’ll miss Aberystwyth, but you’ll love the new perspectives international study can bring.
Our course is delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials, fieldwork and practicals and residential field courses. You will receive thorough training in the scientific method and concepts relating to the evolution and ecology of natural systems with an emphasis on marine and freshwater environments. You will be assessed through essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, worksheets, reports, statistical exercises, dossiers, posters, portfolios, wikis, reflective diaries, literature reviews, magazine articles field notebooks and exams. The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within the industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
Our Marine and Freshwater Biology graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of careers including Ecological consultancy, Environmental management and conservation, Teaching and Scientific journalism. This degree also frequently leads to postgraduate research at Masters and PhD level.
Many students also gain research experience volunteering in the research laboratories of IBERS lecturers or through organisations such as Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.
Our degree at Aberystwyth University teaches you a broad range of skills such as observation, research, analysis, critical evaluation and reflection. The Institute has close links with many learned societies such as the Society of Biology which is a great way of networking with those in your field.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers/Estranged Students and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
The Uni
Main Site (Aberystwyth)
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Ecology and environmental biology
Teaching and learning
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Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Biosciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£19k
£21k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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