BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
The course
- UCAS code
- C160
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Led by a research-active team, our biology degrees explore issues of key importance in the modern world.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Years 1 and 2 provide a foundation in modern biology, including: Ecology; Pollution Biology; and Man’s Impact on the Environment. Year 3 gives a thorough grounding in many aspects of Marine Biology and Year 4 explores the applications of Marine Biology to Marine Resource Development and Marine Environmental Protection. Fieldwork plays an important part in the course. The course aims to produce good Marine Biologists with a training in applied aspects of marine resource exploitation and protection. Breadth in the curriculum is provided by options including Molecular Biology and Microbiology.
I feel the practical aspects of this course lived up to my expectations and I think I was wise to choose this course over other similar ones.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
Introduces Biology with accompanying courses in Applied and Environmental Biology. Additional subjects include Mathematics for Scientists and Chemistry, as required for an understanding of future courses in Biochemistry and Physiology.
Year 2
Concentrates on broad topics in Biology, especially Whole Organism Biology of Animals, Plants and Microorganisms; Cell Structure and Biochemistry; and Nutrition and Health.
Year 3
Core courses in Marine Biology focus on Marine Biodiversity, Marine Environmental Biology and Practical Marine Biology.
Year 4
Advanced topics in Marine Biology including: Estuarine and Coastal Management; Fish Physiology and Nutrition; Marine Environmental Monitoring; Marine Chemical Ecology; Marine Biotechnology; and Shellfish and Crustacean Culture. A selection of optional courses is also offered. A research project provides the practical component of the final year of study.
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.
Employability
Work and study
This is what our BSc (Hons) Marine Biology students are doing 15 months after graduating:
- 45% are working
- 20% are studying
- 20% are working and studying.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £23500
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £23000
Jobs
These are the most common high skilled jobs students go into 15 months after graduating:
- Natural and social science professionals
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (including a science subject)
- A-Levels BBC - ABB (including a Maths or Science subject)
- Int. Baccalaureate 27 points to include a science subject at Higher Level 5
- BTEC DMM (in relevant subject)
- HNC C in graded unit (in relevant HNC)
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC (including a science subject at B)
- A-Levels BBC - ABB (including a Maths or Science subject)
Additional information
Suitable science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BB (including Biology or Human Biology plus Highers AABB)
- A-Levels ABB (including Biology or Human Biology)
- Int. Baccalaureate 32 points (with Biology or Human Biology)
- HNC B in graded unit (in relevant HNC)
- HND BB in graded units (in relevant HND)
- BTEC DDM (in relevant subject)
Year 3
- HND AB in graded units (in relevant HND)
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
English language requirements
The minimum requirement for English language for all our undergraduate Biology courses is IELTS 6.0. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £22,264 |
* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
** 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.