Marine Environmental Science
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: F912 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: F912 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, with 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics).
112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Science).
Cambridge Pre-U score of 46-50, to include a Principal Subject in Science (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics) at M3.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
25 points from the IB Diploma, to include 3 Higher Level subjects, with 5 points from a Higher Level in a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics). 4 points from Standard Level English and Mathematics (if not passed at GCSE grade C or above).
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H3,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3
To include a Higher Level Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics) at H3.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Must be in a Science based subject.
112-120 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers, to include a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics) at grade D.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
T Level
Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Health, T Level in Healthcare Science, T Level in Science
UCAS Tariff
112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, with 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics).
112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level with 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**This is a Connected Degree**
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.
**Overview**
Marine environments cover 70% of the Earth's surface and represent more than 95% of the world's biosphere. On this BSc (Hons) Marine Environmental Science degree course, accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), you'll develop your understanding of this vital resource and learn how to protect its delicate ecosystems from climate change, overfishing and pollution.
- Investigate marine ecosystems in our environmental laboratories and Institute of Marine Sciences, our internationally renowned shoreside marine station packed with expert staff, a floating research platform and purpose-built 318m2 aquatic centre
- Make the most of our coastal location with marine excursions on the Solent, and learn powerboating with the RYA or scientific and technical diving certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
- Have the chance to conduct research in places such as Somerset, Isle of Wight, Malta, Portugal, Malaysia and Belize
- Build experience on a one-year work placement, or study abroad at one of our partner universities in Spain, France or Poland
**Accredited by:**
This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
**Careers and opportunities**
The world's oceans and seas are one of its most precious and biodiverse resources. Ongoing threats to these marine environments – such as waste dumping, climate change, dredging and overfishing – mean the world needs people with the specialised scientific knowledge to safeguard marine resources for future generations.
When you graduate, you’ll be primed for a career anywhere in the world in areas such as marine environmental consultancy, marine conservation, coastal management, and underwater exploration and conservation.
You'll be able to apply for Associate Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and with more experience, you could work to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). Chartered Membership of the IES is required in many environmental careers.
You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level, such as with our MSc Coastal & Marine Resource Management.
**What jobs can you do with a marine environmental science degree?**
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- marine scientist
- marine environmental consultant
- environmental chemist
- geographic information scientist
- fish health inspector
- marine conservation officer
- environmental policy officer
- coastal management officer
- wildlife protection officer
**Placement year**
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.
You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, although our coastal location means there are many placement opportunities nearby.
Previous students have completed placements at Dover Harbour Board and Portsmouth Water.
Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules in this year include:
- Analysis of the Earth and Environment (20 credits)
- Ecology, Plants and Human Impact (20 credits)
- Environmental Processes and Hazards (20 credits)
- Global Environmental Challenges (20 credits)
- How the Earth Works (20 credits)
- Introduction to Marine Ecology and Oceanography (20 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 2
Core modules in this year include:
- Environmental Chemistry and Monitoring (20 credits)
- Environmental Fieldwork and Professional Skills (20 credits)
- Marine Organisms and Ecosystems (20 credits)
- Oceanography (20 credits)
- Research Skills (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
- Developing Professional Skills (20 credits)
- Energy Resources and the Science of Zero Carbon (20 credits)
- Environmental Change (20 credits)
- Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
- Introduction to Teaching (20 credits)
- Practical Boating Skills (20 credits)
- Scientific Diving Techniques (20 credits)
Placement year
Boost your employability by taking an industry-based work placement year with a relevant organisation or immerse yourself in another culture by studying for a year at one of our partner universities worldwide.
This is an amazing opportunity to either put everything you’ve learned so far into action in a real workplace or expand your horizons and set yourself up for your future career by studying abroad and becoming a student ambassador for our university."
Depending on what you choose, we’ll help you find and secure an exciting placement opportunity within an appropriate company or organisation, or you’ll expand your global perspective and develop additional skills to boost your future career during a study abroad year.
This is a Connected Degree
We're the only university that gives you the flexibility to choose when to take a work placement. Take it after your 2nd year, before returning to finish your studies. Or after your final year, connecting you into the workplace.
If you're not sure if or when to take your placement, don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to settle into your studies and explore your options before making your choice.
Year 3
Core modules in this year include:
- Marine Ecology and Conservation (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
- Analytical Methods for Earth and Environmental Sciences (20 credits)
- Climate Change (20 credits)
- Coastal Recreation - Planning and Management (20 credits)
- Conservation in a Changing World (20 credits)
- Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
- Environmental Pollution and Waste Management (20 credits)
- Fisheries and Aquaculture (20 credits)
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed through:
- field work or lab notebook recordings
- reports
- essays
- site surveys
- computer-based exercises
- posters
- oral presentations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
The way you're assessed will depend on the modules you select throughout your course. Here's an example from a previous academic year of how students on this course were typically assessed:
- Year 1 students: 52% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 40% by coursework
- Year 2 students: 43% by written exams, 12% by practical exams and 45% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 26% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 66% by coursework
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Science and Health
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Environmental sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Earth sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
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
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Environmental sciences
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
Earth sciences
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.
Environmental sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£25k
£30k
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.
Earth sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£25k
£30k
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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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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