Marine Biology (with foundation year)

Learn how to protect our precious marine resources in this well-resourced degree with the internationally-recognised research facility, The Deep, on its doorstep.

You’ll study life beneath the waves on this accredited course that explores all aspects of the marine environment.

Learn from our award-winning staff in industry-leading facilities then put your skills into practice on field trips in the UK and locations like Brazil and Egypt.

You’ll also get the chance to train as a scuba diver on top of your degree.¹ We offer part-funded PADI-certified scuba dive training as part of this course, helping you develop in-demand skills that make you more employable after graduation.

The Foundation Year is an extra year of study at the start of your degree. It’s designed to boost your academic skills and knowledge of your specialist area. When you successfully complete it, you can transfer seamlessly into the full degree programme.

This course is accredited by The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) starting you on the route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Scientist.

Why Study at Hull?

• Field trips abroad: Learn beyond the classroom on our exceptional field trips (both at home and overseas). Recent field trip locations include Brazil and Egypt.

• Learn to scuba dive: Dive in deeper and get ahead of the competition with part-funded PADI advanced scuba dive training as part of your degree.

• Award-winning tuition: We’re the only university in the world to have three Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year winners in our department.

Where could this take me?

You’ll learn field and lab skills on this course that could lead to exciting careers in environmental consultancy or conservation. Roles with organisations like the Environment Agency, wildlife trusts, local councils or fisheries agencies are all within reach with a degree in Marine Biology.

You could also opt for postgraduate study on a course like our MSc in Environmental Change Management and Monitoring, or on a PhD, research Masters or teacher training.

¹ Choose subsidised dive training as part of our Ecology module and become a PADI-certified Advanced Open Water Diver (extra fee may be payable).

Core modules include:

Adaptation to the Marine Environment
Marine Biology: An Introduction
Diversity of Life
Evolution Ecology (with optional Dive Training)
Geographical Information Systems
Coastal Seas
Oceanography
Marine Interactions

Optional modules include:

Fish Zoology
Marine Conservation Ecology
Red Listing Conservation Project
Saving our Seas
Field Studies (Biology)
Aquatic Resource Management
Animal Welfare and Ethics
Advanced GIS
Benthic Ecology

Foundation Year modules:

Foundation Year Modules:

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education
Introduction to Biological Sciences 1 & 2
Introduction to Data Analysis
Group Challenge (Sciences)
Foundation Maths Skills

You'll be assessed through a combination of written, practical and coursework assessments throughout your degree.

Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.