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Ocean Science

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Are you driven to understand how ocean currents drive climate change and marine ecosystem response throughout the world’s oceans? Gain practical skills and knowledge in ocean dynamics for careers in oceanography, coastal management, or 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're passionate about understanding the physical processes that govern our oceans

  • you enjoy hands-on learning in both laboratory and field settings

  • you're eager to develop skills in data collection and analysis using advanced oceanographic instruments

  • you aspire to contribute to effective management and conservation strategies for marine environments.

Modules

Course Modules

Year 1
From week one, you will be exposed to data collection from our fleet of research vessels and introduced to the fundamental principles of marine science. 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. You’ll build practical skills whilst learning how to collect, analyse, and present scientific data using state-of-the-art instruments, typically collected during field-based activities.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of the core aspects of physical, chemical and biological oceanography as well as beginning to focus on the physical processes that shape the open ocean and coastal environments. You’ll receive advanced training in every aspect of instrument handling and deployment at sea, benefitting from the input of industry partners to ensure relevance to the job market. As part of your independent skills progression, you will develop a proposal for your final year research project. You’ll also be able to broaden your interests into areas such as meteorology, remote sensing and scientific diving.

Optional placement year
During your optional third year, you’ll have the opportunity to do a work placement, for a six or 12-month period.
As well as providing valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom, a placement can prove to be a great networking opportunity and provide a deeper, working level understanding of the career paths that are available following your degree.

Final year
During your final year, you’ll complete your core training in advanced aspects of ocean dynamics and coastal processes and participate in a residential field trip where you’ll apply first-hand the practical skills developed during previous years. A large proportion of your time will be spent completing your individual research project for which you will be given guidance by a member of academic staff. You’ll also be able to pursue an option module, for example to explore the use of Big Data in solving current challenges in the marine system, climate science or marine pollution.

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

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
P60

University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
P60

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level

112 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

T Level
M

Merit – any 3 science pathways, plus GCSE Maths grade 4/C or above

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 112

points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Scottish Higher

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers, Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

AS

Considered in combination

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access (Science), (including GCSE English and mathematics grade C or above or equivalent) with at least 33 credits at Distinction depending on subject, the remaining units at Merit or above. If not science related Access please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Scottish Advanced Higher

112 UCAS Tariff points including two Advanced Highers including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Extended Project

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

To include a Grade 5 at Higher Level in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

In a relevant Science subject.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

112 UCAS Tariff points including Grade H3 in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are:
Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at H1-H7 or O1-O4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Must have Grade C / 4 at GCSE Maths and English

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6With 5.5 in all elements.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At the University of Plymouth, we believe in building a welcoming and inclusive community that supports every student to achieve their full potential.

With our contextual offer scheme, we may extend offers below our standard entry criteria to those applicants whose circumstances and experiences could have impacted their education and academic performance. You can check your eligibility for a contextual offer using our online postcode checker.

Learn more on the University of Plymouth website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.

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