Ocean Science and Marine Conservation

Explore the ocean’s inner workings and how to protect its life and ecosystems. This course blends ocean science, ecology, and marine policy to prepare you for a career in conservation, sustainability, and marine research.

Learn in Britain's Ocean City
You'll be using our advanced equipment and research vessels at our landmark Marine Station for practical data collection, gaining sought-after experience in Plymouth's coastal environment.

Fieldwork from week one
Participate in field trips to coastal and offshore locations, gain hands-on experience in real-world environments and apply your skills to study marine and oceanographic processes.

Focus on global challenges
Work on projects addressing climate change, ocean health, and sustainable marine management, playing your part in making a difference to our marine world.

This course is for you if...

• you have a deep appreciation for marine life and ecosystems, with a desire to protect vulnerable habitats.

• you're curious to explore how ocean systems work and how human activity affects them.

• you're excited to study aboard our fleet of research vessels, using industry-standard oceanographic and surveying equipment.

• you aspire to drive real-world change and thrive in an impactful career.

Plymouth is a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance, a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the UK Armed Forces and the higher education sector, helping equip you with specialist, in-demand skills.

Course Modules

Year 1
From your very first week, you’ll be experiencing real marine science, collecting and working with live data using our own fleet of research vessels. You’ll learn the underpinning aspects of the physics, chemistry and biology that are critical to understanding the pivotal role played by the Earth’s oceans in our modern society. Alongside this, you’ll develop hands‑on skills using cutting-edge scientific instruments, learning how to collect, analyse and communicate data with confidence. You’ll build these skills where it matters most: out in the field, turning theory into practice through real-world scientific experiences.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll be introduced to specialist marine conservation concepts while continuing to expand your knowledge across the wider field of ocean science. Core marine conservation modules explore the many ways human activities affect marine ecosystems, giving you a solid scientific grounding in the challenges facing our oceans today. You’ll also have the chance to pursue your interests through a choice of optional modules, with opportunities to study areas such as coastal oceanography, scientific diving, and more advanced hydrographic survey and mapping techniques. These modules allow you to build expertise in key areas and tailor your degree towards your future career goals.

Optional placement year
Many of our students choose to take an optional placement year between their second and final years, gaining invaluable hands‑on experience in real scientific environments. You can choose to complete a minimum six‑month work placement anywhere in the world, gaining practical, career‑focused experience directly linked to your studies. This is your opportunity to apply your skills in real‑world settings, explore potential career paths and build valuable professional networks that can help shape your future in the field.

Final year
In your final year, you’ll bring everything together! You’ll focus on advancing your understanding of marine ecosystem conservation and marine conservation policy and management. A residential fieldtrip gives you the chance apply everything you’ve learned into a real-world setting alongside peers and expert staff. You’ll also have the freedom to tailor your learning through optional modules, exploring cutting-edge areas such as marine pollution or biological oceanography. A major component of your final year is your research project. Working under the supervision of an academic specialist, you’ll apply the knowledge, techniques and scientific understanding you’ve developed throughout your degree to an independent piece of research, giving you the chance to explore a topic you’re passionate about and demonstrate your capabilities as an ocean scientist.