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Marine Biology

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Liverpool

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

From microscopic algae to giant whales, most of our planet’s life is found in the oceans. As a marine biologist, you will learn about the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of marine organisms, and how marine food webs are influenced by global warming and fisheries. We produce highly employable marine biologists, able to apply their knowledge and skills to fields including monitoring, pollution, conservation, and aquaculture.

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Registered Marine Technologist and as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Marine Technologist.

This programme is available with either a Year in China or a Year Abroad. The Year in China offers undergraduate students the opportunity to spend one year at our joint venture, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), following XJTLU's BA China Studies degree classes. XJTLU is a fully English-speaking university, located in Suzhou. The Year Abroad offers students the opportunity to spend a full academic year studying at one of our partner universities around the world, following a mixture of culture and/or discipline-related modules. If you wish to study this programme with a Year in China or a Year Abroad you will have the opportunity to apply after you arrive at Liverpool.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C160
Institution code:
L41
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Liverpool 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

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C160
Institution code:
L41
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

ABB
Including Biology and one other science. Acceptable second science subjects include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Applied Science, Environmental Studies and Computer Science For science A levels that include the separately graded practical endorsement, a Pass is required

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

D*DD
D*DD in a relevant Diploma Relevant subjects considered include: Animal Management, Countryside Management, Applied Science, Marine Biology, and Ecology. If the BTEC you are taking is not listed here, please contact us to check its acceptability for this programme. Please note that BTEC Forensic Science pathway is not acceptable for this programme.

Access to HE Diploma

D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
45 Level 3 credits in graded units in a relevant Diploma, including 30 at Distinction and a further 15 with at least Merit. 15 Distinctions are required in each of Biology and a second science.

Scottish Higher

Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher

ABB
Including Biology and a second science

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

33 points
33 including 6 in Higher Level Biology and 5 in a second science at Higher Level, and no score less than 4

Extended Project

A
Applicants who offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the standard offer, plus an alternative offer. This will be at one A Level grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ, for example the offer would be ABB or BBB plus A in the EPQ.

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

H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
including H2 or above in Biology and a second science

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/C required. Applicants with equivalent qualifications or who do not meet these GCSE requirements will be considered on an individual basis according to their circumstances.

T Level

Not accepted

.

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.

The University of Liverpool is committed to supporting talented applicants from all backgrounds to succeed. One of the ways we support students and fair access to higher education is through making reduced offers as part of our contextual admissions strategy, the Liverpool Scholars programme, Realising Opportunities national collaboration of universities and Sutton Trust Pathways. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with disrupted education or extenuating circumstances.

Learn more on the University of Liverpool website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Not enough data available

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.

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

Tuition fees for Home undergraduates
If this is your first degree and you are a Home student applying for entry in 2024, you do not have to pay your fees upfront. Instead, you can take out a tuition fee loan which is paid straight to the University. This is available to most students, no matter what their household income.

For UK students applying for 2024 entry the Tuition Fees are £9,250.

Check tuition fees for our undergraduate degrees. Select a course and go to the fees and funding section on the course page: Https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/paying-for-your-studies/

Some of our programmes charge less than the full £9,250 fee:
• Foundation programmes: the fee for the foundation year of specified programmes at Carmel College
• Programmes with a Foundation element: Psychology BSc (Hons) (2+2 programme with Foundation element) is run in collaboration with Wirral Metropolitan College.
• Programmes with a year in industry or a year abroad:
Some programmes which include compulsory fieldwork or additional elements such as the Pilots Licence in Aerospace Engineering may incur additional costs. Where this is the case, those costs will be outlined at on-campus events such as the University Open Days or Post Application Visit Days

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