Biology and Marine Biology
UCAS Code: 7N15
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
ABB to include Biology and one further science subject from Chemistry, Maths, Environmental Studies, Physics, Geology or Geography. Pass in the science practical component.
The University of Southampton recognises the educational value of taking AS Levels alongside three A Levels and the breadth of studying additional subjects. However, all of our programmes express their entry criteria in terms of three subjects offered at A Level with selection decisions being informed, in part, by actual or predicted grades in those subjects (excluding General Studies, Use of Maths and Critical Thinking).
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 45 credits must be at Distinction. A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, M2, M2 to include Biology and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, and Geography. 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.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English, Mathematics and Science GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pass with overall score of 32 points, with 16 points required at higher level: including 6 points from Biology and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programmes (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.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include Biology and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Environmental Studies, 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.
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDD + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
D*D* + AB at A-Level or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
D + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
D*D* + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD + AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D+AB at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Biology and one further science subject.
Scottish Advanced Higher
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.
Scottish Higher
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) 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.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-Levels, to include Biology and one further science subject.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
To fully understand life underwater it is essential to know how plants, animals and other organisms interact with their environment and respond to short and long term change.
This three-year interdisciplinary degree, combines modules from Biological Sciences and Ocean and Earth Science, balancing lectures in terrestrial and marine biology. Based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), a world-leading research centre, you will get the opportunity to undertake a balanced programme in both subjects whilst gaining the relevant skills and knowledge for a career in Biology and Marine Biology.
You will develop your understanding of (marine) biological systems and processes in theory and practice, and have the opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of living organisms from the molecular through to cells, whole organisms to ecosystems.
Modules combine theory and practice, some in the laboratory and some at sea. You will get the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time on our 22m research vessel Callista, getting hands on experience out in the field.
The breadth of modules and fieldwork will prepare you for a wide variety of careers which will prepare you for higher degrees and careers in (marine) biological research
Modules
Typical course content includes: Patterns of Life and their Evolution; Experimental and Field Biology; Earth and Ocean System; Quantitative Methods in Biological and Environmental Science; Cell Biology; Phytoplankton and Primary Production; Bioscience Business; Shallow Water Survey Techniques; Field Research Project.
See course page for a full list of modules available.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through unseen written exams, short tests, assessed coursework in the form of laboratory log books and reports, problems and other set assignments.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Biological Sciences
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Explore SouthamptonWhat students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Earth sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology (non-specific)
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?The recession was tough on biology graduates, and although the jobs market has improved for them - a lot - it's still not back to where it was a few years ago. If you want a career in biology research — and a lot of biology students do - you'll need to take a doctorate, so give some thought as to where you might do it and how you might fund it (the government still funds doctorates for good students). A lot of graduates also take 1 year Masters courses to specialise in this wide and deep subject - most students take a standard biology course for their first degree and then specialise in subjects like ecology, conservation or marine biology later. Hospitals, universities, biotech firms, zoos and nature reserves and clinical and scientific testing are common industries of employment for biology graduates.
Earth sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?This is quite a specialist degree and although graduates are more likely to go to work in the environment and conservation than anything else, it can be dependent to an extent on securing funding and so the jobs market can be competitive. This is also one of those subjects where graduates don’t usually go to London to work, so if you want to work in the south-west — or overseas — this might be a good subject. Graduates tend to get jobs in the environment, and as lab technicians. They can also be targeted to fill our serious gaps in recruitment in surveying. Like a lot of other subjects, if you want a job in research, start planning to take a doctorate. The stats also include a small number of oceanographers and meteorologist who are often in demand.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Marine sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£25k
£31k
£32k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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