Essex vs Portsmouth Marine Biology

Have conditional offers from Essex. Portsmouth, Salford & Chester for Marine Biology.
Favourites would be Portsmouth & Essex, which is best for course & student life?
Cannot do Open Days or visit before deadlines as live abroad.
Thanks

Reply 1

McGinger

Portsmouth.
Better reputation for subject and its a more-fun place to live.
Your Time. Your Place. | Come visit the University of Portsmouth

Reply 2

University of Chester

Official Rep

Original post by FraTotti10

Hi @FraTotti10

Congratulations on your offer to study with us 🙂

I understand that either Portsmouth and Essex would be one of your first choice, however we'd recommend researching all universities that you've received an offer from so that you can feel confident in your firm and insurance choices.

As you're not able to visit in person we'd definitely recommend taking a look at each university accommodation page so that you can get a feel for what options are on offer and where you can imagine yourself living. Most universities offer the opportunity to chat to current students online. It might be helpful to get some first-hand perspective from them? At Chester, if you search for Biological Sciences here you will be able to find a current Marine Biology student to chat to. We also offer virtual tours, so that you don't miss out by not attending an in-person event. Finally, if you have any course related questions we recommend reaching out to the senior lecturer from each university. You can usually find these contact details on the university Marine Biology webpage. Dr Nick Fleming is the Marine Biology programme leader and can be contacted via [email protected].

If you have any questions in relation to studying at Chester, or student life here, please just let us know.

Good luck with your decision!
Becky

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

no idea about portmouth student life or the sciences, but i went to essex for a year and student life was awful. try visiting the unis and the towns - it's a big decision

Reply 4

University of Salford

Official Rep

Original post by FraTotti10

Hey @FraTotti10 ,

Congrats on your offer with us! As you mention you live internationally and open days are not an option for you, it might be worth looking into online tours/events at each university you're considering. We have a series of online events for international students here if you will be an international student when studying in the UK, or our Virtual Tour if you'd just like a look around. Most universities will have something similar, so definitely have a look on websites or email them!

I'd say take a look at things like NSS (National Student Survey) scores for your top choices, as they're a great indicator as to how current students have found their degree and university. The NSS is sent out to students currently at universities across the UK, and asks them about the teaching on their course, student voice, resources etc, so is really varied. That way you can see how people found their time at university, which might help you with your final decision - all without the costs of travelling to the UK to speak to current students! ☺️

WhatUni also have a university reviews section which can be worth checking out - these are quite subjective though, and will be individual opinions on courses/universities, so I wouldn't recommend fully basing your choices on these!

I hope that helps - good luck with your decisions!
Becky
University of Salford Rep

Reply 5

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

Original post by FraTotti10

Hello @FraTotti10 !

Congratulations on your offers!

Essex is ranked 1st in the UK for biology (The Mail University Guide 2025) and 7th for biology (non-specific) for overall positivity score (National Student Survey 2024, English broad-discipline higher education institutions).

We’re ranked 54th (14th in UK) for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for climate action (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024).

Students not only will join field courses covering our local Marine Conservation Zone, tropical Indonesia and the Mediterranean Sea, studying everything from temperate shores and salt marshes to tropical mangroves and coral reefs but will also have the opportunity to study abroad anywhere in the world or take a placement year.
Work placements and work based learning | University of Essex
Exchange finder Home page – 6 – Essex Abroad Exchange Finder

All of our academic staff conduct their own research and have professional expertise that you will benefit from through your studies.
You will have the flexibility to specialise in areas that interest you most and work with academics from our Ecology and Environmental Microbiology Research Group including, among many others:

•

Learning about Earth's largest unexplored habitat, the deep-sea, with Dr Michelle Taylor – the President of the Deep-Sea Biology Society and BSc Marine Biology Course Director.

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Understanding cutting-edge biotechnological approaches towards preventing and cleaning-up marine pollution with Dr Boyd McKew, Dr Nick Aldred and Professor Terry McGenity.

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Studying corals, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove systems with Professor Leanne Hepburn and other expert staff in our School of Life Sciences.

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Learning about animal behaviour, movement and connectivity with Dr Anna Sturrock, a leading fish ecology researcher.

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Understanding the evolution and phylogenetics of marine and freshwater species with Dr Jennifer Hoyal Cuthill who applies machine learning to understanding speciation.

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Learning about the importance of marine and freshwater sediments in climate change and monitoring ocean health with our team of environment experts including Professor Alex Dumbrell and Dr Natalie Hicks.

Our School of Life Sciences has received major investment over recent years to fund new teaching laboratories in our STEM Centre and new research aquaria for studies of tropical, temperate, marine and freshwater systems.
This includes everything from environmentally controlled systems for ecological experiments and molecular biology laboratories, to behavioural analysis systems and our advanced bioimaging facility.
Facilities in the School of Life Sciences | University of Essex

The university has a dedicated careers team that can help you with CV's cover letters and job applications.
The department will also bring external speakers to give students an in depth perspective of the job market.

Essex is the World in One Place with students from more then 140 countries.
Our Students Union (SU) hosts events on a daily bases on campus from mixers to arts and crafts.
What's On in Colchester

We are also home to more than 100 societies run by students for students where you are able to meet people with the same interests as you.
This includes a Marine Biology society.
Societies

We also have 40+ sports societies and a gym open 24/7 on campus.

Every Thursdays on main campus we have a food market where small shops from town sell their products to the student community.
We also have bars, coffee shops, night club, restaurants, supermarket and other facilities at students disposal.
Colchester Campus Facilities | University of Essex

You can also get a part time job at one of our facilities, being a research assistant or an student ambassador.
These jobs are flexible and you are able to work around your studies.
Jobs

If you have any further questions don't hesitate in messaging.

Cat-Essex Official Rep 😃

Reply 6

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

Original post by McGinger

Portsmouth.
Better reputation for subject and its a more-fun place to live.
Your Time. Your Place. | Come visit the University of Portsmouth

Hiya @McGinger !
That is an incorrect information.

Essex is very highly ranked for the topic of Marine Biology.
Our town is full of live and there is so much to do, also we only 30 minutes form London on a direct train.

Check our campus and facilities on our Open Days.
Open Days | University of Essex

Cat-Essex Official Rep 😃