Marine Conservation

Join this course from September 2026, and turn your passion for the ocean into a career: explore, protect, and restore marine ecosystems with our hands-on BSc Marine Conservation degree.

A unique marine environment
Gain extensive, real-world experience surveying diverse marine habitats, from boat-based studies in Plymouth Sound Marine Park to coastal research expeditions, with opportunities for UK and international field courses.

Maximum career impact
This course combines marine science, conservation biology, and social sciences, equipping you with a broad skill set that enhances employability. You’ll graduate ready to tackle a diverse range of marine conservation challenges.

Strong industry links and opportunities
Benefit from close ties with local conservation organisations, government agencies and ecological consultancies, ensuring real-world relevance.

This course is for you if...

• you're passionate about understanding and protecting marine ecosystems

• you aspire to help resolve contemporary issues in marine conservation

• you're eager to engage in hands-on fieldwork and practical research

• you value working alongside experts involved in leading marine research.

Course Modules

Year 1: Dive into Marine Conservation
From day one, you'll get hands-on with real marine science – heading into the field to carry out surveys and collect data from the natural world. Back in the lab and classroom, you’ll learn how to turn that data into powerful insights, while building a solid foundation in ecology and the amazing diversity of life. As the year progresses, you’ll explore how conservation thinking has evolved over time and start to understand the big ideas behind protecting species and habitats. You’ll also gain practical skills in mapping marine spaces and using data to support better conservation decisions. Along the way, you'll explore a range of fascinating ecosystems – from coral reefs and seagrass beds to deep-sea habitats and temperate rocky shores. It's the perfect start to becoming a marine conservationist.

Year 2: Exploring the oceans and people
In your second year, you'll deepen your understanding of how marine species are conserved and how human activity shapes ocean ecosystems. You’ll explore powerful ideas like citizen science, blue health, ocean literacy, and the blue economy—while developing real-world skills in surveying public opinion and analysing social science data. A dedicated research skills module kicks off the year, introducing you to advanced methods for studying marine life and the people connected to it. You’ll even design and run your own group mini-project on a conservation question that matters to you. You can tailor your experience with specialist options like satellite remote sensing, scientific diving, or applied ecology. To top it all off, you’ll get the chance to join one of our unforgettable residential field courses – either in the UK or overseas – putting your learning into action in truly inspiring environments.

Optional placement year
Take the opportunity to undertake a placement in the UK or overseas with an industry provider. Students gain unique conservation experience, from surveying sea turtle nesting sites to monitoring orca activity, or even working on innovative research projects in Plymouth's marine laboratories. The University’s dedicated placements team and list of pre-approved providers will guide you in securing the perfect placement. It’s a fantastic chance to develop hands-on skills, expand your network, and contribute to exciting marine conservation work, while exploring future career opportunities in the field.

Final year: Lead your own conservation journey
In your final year, you’ll take the lead – designing and carrying out your own independent research project on a real-world marine conservation challenge. This is your chance to bring together everything you've learned to make a genuine impact. You’ll dive deep into the threats facing marine and coastal ecosystems, and explore the tools we use to manage and protect them. Alongside this, you'll gain a solid understanding of marine governance – looking at policies, agencies, and global strategies shaping the future of our oceans. You’ll also get the chance to specialise in areas that inspire you most, such as fisheries or marine mammal conservation, marine pollution, climate change impacts, animal behaviour, or the cultural connections coastal communities have with the sea. It’s your year to focus, specialise, and prepare to launch your career in marine conservation.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.