Marine Environmental Science

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.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-marine-environmental-science#modules

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

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Environmental Sciences, Institute of