Summary:
Explore the oceans and the processes that shape them. On this Oceanography degree, you will study marine systems across biology, chemistry, physics and geology, building a complete understanding of how the ocean works.
From coastal environments to the deep sea, you will investigate the challenges facing marine ecosystems and learn how science and technology can be used to address them.
Based at our Waterfront Campus at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, your learning is grounded in research and real-world experience, preparing you for careers across the marine and environmental sectors.
Key features of the course:
Study at our Waterfront Campus, based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, a global hub for ocean and earth science research.
Explore all four marine science disciplines, with a focus on physical, chemical and geological ocean processes.
Gain hands-on experience at sea aboard our research vessel, applying your learning in real environments.
Develop practical skills in laboratory analysis, computing and data interpretation, essential for modern ocean science.
Build specialist experience using advanced technologies, including high-performance computing and robotic sampling.
Gain additional qualifications such as first aid and sea survival training.
Join a department ranked 8th in the UK and top 40 globally for Earth and Marine Science (QS World Rankings by Subject 2026).
Be part of a university where 99% of Ocean and Earth Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, published 2025).
Student support:
You will be supported throughout your studies by academic staff who will mentor your development and help you build the expertise needed for your future.
They will guide your module choices, support your academic progress and help you plan your next steps, whether that is a career in industry or further study.
Further information:
This course is open to UK and international applicants and is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
We have a varied range of modules for all years, which gives you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your passions and to equip you with the skills and experiences needed for success as a graduate.
For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page.
Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.
The learning activities for this course include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group, projects and independent learning.
We’ll assess you using coursework, laboratory reports and essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations and written exams.
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Southampton 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?
The following entry points are available for this course:
ABB to include two science subjects. A level science subjects considered include Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry.
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two science subjects.
If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + AB at A-Leve to include two science subjects.
60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 at Merit. A core science Access to HE Diploma to include Level 3 modules in at least two from physics, chemistry, biology, or environmental science is required. If you are unsure whether the Access you are studying would be accepted, please contact the Admissions Team before submitting an application.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma without two A-levels to include two science subjects.
If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DD + AB at A-Level to include two science subjects.
D + AB at A-Level to include two science subjects.
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4.
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level science subjects. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation), Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Statistics, Geography and Geology.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):
The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered.
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
AB from two acceptable science A-levels and grade B from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
BBB from three A-levels including two acceptable science subjects, and grade A in the EPQ. .
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include two science subjects. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Statistics, Geography and Geology. Applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at ILC Grade C or 04, the equivalent of GCSE grade C/grade 4.
D3, M2, M2 to include two science subjects.
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
GCSEs: The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English, Science and Mathematics GCSEs.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Band C: 6.5 with 6.0 in each component |
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirementshttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
A proportion of students who enrolled on this course in previous years exceeded their offer conditions securing their place on their chosen course with grades higher than our published entry criteria.
We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
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.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
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* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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.
Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Email:admissions@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
Email:AdmissionsUG.ELS@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
At University of Southampton
