BSc Marine Biology or Biological Sciences degree?

2

Hi, I'm a Y13 international student and was pretty set on applying for marine bio but I'm a bit concerned that the course is too specific and the unis that offer the course are not the most well known/well credited (apart from Exeter and Southampton) so it may not be worth it as an international. Although I would love to learn more about marine life and the oceans, I wouldn't mind doing general ecology/conservation/genetics/physiology so would anyone recommend doing a biological sciences degree since its broader? and if so, where? I'm predicted a 42 in IB and my (two useful) HL's are Bio and Geo so not doing chem/maths may be a disadvantage. Any advice would be much appreciated as I need to make a decision soon and work on my personal statement!

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

16

Original post

by belle_s09

Hi, I'm a Y13 international student and was pretty set on applying for marine bio but I'm a bit concerned that the course is too specific and the unis that offer the course are not the most well known/well credited (apart from Exeter and Southampton) so it may not be worth it as an international. Although I would love to learn more about marine life and the oceans, I wouldn't mind doing general ecology/conservation/genetics/physiology so would anyone recommend doing a biological sciences degree since its broader? and if so, where? I'm predicted a 42 in IB and my (two useful) HL's are Bio and Geo so not doing chem/maths may be a disadvantage. Any advice would be much appreciated as I need to make a decision soon and work on my personal statement!

Hi, it is great to hear you are thinking of studying biology / marine biology. I am currently in my final year studying zoology at Southampton.

At the university of Southampton there are lots of course options available that sound like they may suit you! As you mentioned, the marine resources at Southampton are great, with the NOCS (ocean) campus providing up to date labs and exciting research opportunities, as well as Highfield (main campus) having state of the art equipment. I would recommend having a look at the course options available, as you can often find a mixture of marine and more general biology, for example the biology and marine biology degree. You can also read about the other courses available here. The information on these links will also tell you any entry requirements, fees and other information about applying and what the course is like!

I think it is important to think about what you may want to do as future careers, and take that into account when picking your degree. Let me know if you have any questions, as zoology has a lot of overlap with biology!

Rachel (UoS student ambassador)

Reply 2

ExeterStudentRep

Official Rep

13

Original post

by belle_s09

Hi, I'm a Y13 international student and was pretty set on applying for marine bio but I'm a bit concerned that the course is too specific and the unis that offer the course are not the most well known/well credited (apart from Exeter and Southampton) so it may not be worth it as an international. Although I would love to learn more about marine life and the oceans, I wouldn't mind doing general ecology/conservation/genetics/physiology so would anyone recommend doing a biological sciences degree since its broader? and if so, where? I'm predicted a 42 in IB and my (two useful) HL's are Bio and Geo so not doing chem/maths may be a disadvantage. Any advice would be much appreciated as I need to make a decision soon and work on my personal statement!

Hi belle_s09,

Exeter’s marine biology and biological sciences courses are both really strong, especially if you’re passionate about ecology, conservation, or marine life. If you’re unsure about specialising too early, the Biological Sciences degree at Exeter (particularly at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall) is super flexible - you can choose from a range of modules in marine biology, ecology, genetics, and conservation, and even switch between pathways in your first year once you find what you really enjoy.

The Penryn campus has a great reputation for environmental and marine sciences - you’ll be surrounded by people who are genuinely passionate about sustainability and nature, and the facilities and fieldwork opportunities are amazing, given its location near the coast.

As for not having Chemistry or Maths at HL, don’t worry too much. Exeter looks at the full picture, and with your strong IB score and relevant subjects like Bio and Geo, you’d be a great fit.

If you’re keen on keeping your options open while still exploring the marine side of things, I’d definitely recommend Biological Sciences at Exeter - you can shape it to your interests and still have access to all the great research and fieldwork opportunities.

Hope this helps 🙂

Klaudia
University of Exeter Student Ambassador

Reply 3

University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Official Rep

12

Original post

by belle_s09

Hi, I'm a Y13 international student and was pretty set on applying for marine bio but I'm a bit concerned that the course is too specific and the unis that offer the course are not the most well known/well credited (apart from Exeter and Southampton) so it may not be worth it as an international. Although I would love to learn more about marine life and the oceans, I wouldn't mind doing general ecology/conservation/genetics/physiology so would anyone recommend doing a biological sciences degree since its broader? and if so, where? I'm predicted a 42 in IB and my (two useful) HL's are Bio and Geo so not doing chem/maths may be a disadvantage. Any advice would be much appreciated as I need to make a decision soon and work on my personal statement!

Hi there! Great to hear you're interested in studying in the marine/biological sciences! 🙂

I'm a Zoology BSc student here at Plymouth but have lots of knowledge about the other biological sciences and marine courses as they overlap with modules and I get involved in lots of research etc. outside of my lectures. So, if you have any specific questions you'd like answering, feel free to let me know and I'd be happy to help out! 👋

Plymouth is an ideal location for marine biology as it's one of its specialist subjects and the area has one of the highest concentrations of marine scientists in Europe, making it great for finding opportunities, postgraduate opportunities, and building your network and career. From the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, National Marine Aquarium, Ocean Conservation Trust and more on the university's doorstep, students often get involved in lots of work and opportunities with these organisations, such as placements, careers, events, and volunteering to gain experience and valuable insight into the industry.

The university itself has a specialist marine station on the harbour with a fleet of multiple boats for students and researchers to use. The course will regularly take you out on vessels to try out sampling techniques, ROVs, marine surveys, and even scientific diving if you enrol into the HSE professional scuba diving qualification alongside your course, which then enables you to scientifically dive throughout your career. There is also university wet labs, aquarium labs, and plenty of specialist equipment to ensure you have everything you could need to carry out projects, learning, and further research. 🐳

If you're not sure if you want to specialise in marine yet, the biological science courses, such as Zoology, Biological Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, and Animal Behaviour & Welfare are great options. They'll allow you to access marine modules and facilities, but also open other opportunities to terrestrial study and a wider array of biological sciences, so there are lots of options to choose from. These degrees are also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which looks great after graduation, too.

You can find the courses available here:

•

Biological Sciences courses

•

Marine and Ocean Sciences courses

If you need any more questions answering, feel free to let me know and I'd be happy to help! Best of luck! 😊

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

BSc Marine Biology or Biological Sciences degree?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated