is it stupid to be interested in a course i would only be able to take at one uni?
i'm in year 12. i would've wanted to take Maths and Bio, along with History as my third subject, but i was experiencing mental health issues during year 10/11 and didn't get the grades i needed. the idea of going to uni and studying History is something i had accepted, but i recently discovered that, at Exeter, the entry requirements for Marine Biology are: one science subject.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Reply 1
Do some research into marine biology and what it entails as a degree. If it’s truly your passion then go for it! Check if any foundation programs would accept you at other unis as well 🙂
Reply 2
20
Look around at other relevant Unis - as one example for Ocean Science, Plymouth only wants one 'science' subject and that includes Geography; Geology, Psychology, and even Sociology. And Bangor appears to have no required A level subjects for Marine Biology with Foundation year.
There are also some STEM 'Foundation' type courses at certain Unis designed specifically for those who are expecting good grades but in the 'wrong' A level subjects :
Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc | University of Leeds
Science With Foundation Year - The University of Nottingham
There are also some STEM 'Foundation' type courses at certain Unis designed specifically for those who are expecting good grades but in the 'wrong' A level subjects :
Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc | University of Leeds
Science With Foundation Year - The University of Nottingham
Original post
by usernameame3i'm in year 12, my A levels are History, RS, and Psychology. i would've wanted to take Maths and Bio, along with History as my third subject, but i was experiencing mental health issues during year 10/11 and didn't get the grades i needed. the idea of going to uni and studying History or Philosophy is something i had accepted, but i recently discovered that, at Exeter, the entry requirements for Marine Biology are: one science subject.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
It's not necessarily an issue to only apply to a course at one uni if it's a specific course/format for that uni that you prefer to all others (that's what I did).
In your case though I think you're unnecessarily limiting yourself - as noted above lots of science courses are available with a foundation year.
Southampton has a pretty well established marine biology course and it's available with a foundation year for example
Reply 4
Hi!
I thought it might be worth commenting, because I did nearly the exact same thing at uni! I took sociology, psychology and philosophy at A-level, and I applied to do a BA in education at UEA, but a few months before starting, I decided I wanted to go down the marine route instead. UEA doesn’t offer a specific marine biology degree, but I was able to take a foundation year in environmental science and then switch on to their ecology and conservation degree, which I’m taking now (I’m also currently on a year abroad, studying marine biology)!
Since I had already accepted an offer from UEA before shuffling around, it was a lot easier to make that switch, so hopefully it should be similar for you!
I’ve had a quick look for you, and it does look like Exeter offers a foundation year in natural sciences, which may be worth looking into if you feel like you’d need more experience before jumping into marine biology. The natural sciences are generally designed so you can tailor your path to what you’re interested in. If you decide to look into this, it may be the case that you would have to move campuses, as I believe Natsci is based in Exeter, whereas marine biology is based in Penryn.
More broadly, several other universities, such as Plymouth and Bangor, offer marine biology with a foundation year, so this would be a good route in if you don’t have the right a levels! I’d definitely recommend a foundation year, it’s a really good option to get you where you want to be- it was so worth doing mine, as it means I can now study a degree I love!
Marine biology is awesome, but it’s also worth looking through their modules to make sure the focus is correct for your particular interests! It can be quite a broad field that involves conservation, biochemistry and some oceanography, so check this is right for you, it may be that course like ecology where you can specialise later, may be better suited for you!
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions- I’m happy to answer anything about what it was like to switch courses or what I’m studying, I’ll do my best to answer whatever I can!
Best of luck!
Jas
UEA Rep
I thought it might be worth commenting, because I did nearly the exact same thing at uni! I took sociology, psychology and philosophy at A-level, and I applied to do a BA in education at UEA, but a few months before starting, I decided I wanted to go down the marine route instead. UEA doesn’t offer a specific marine biology degree, but I was able to take a foundation year in environmental science and then switch on to their ecology and conservation degree, which I’m taking now (I’m also currently on a year abroad, studying marine biology)!
Since I had already accepted an offer from UEA before shuffling around, it was a lot easier to make that switch, so hopefully it should be similar for you!
I’ve had a quick look for you, and it does look like Exeter offers a foundation year in natural sciences, which may be worth looking into if you feel like you’d need more experience before jumping into marine biology. The natural sciences are generally designed so you can tailor your path to what you’re interested in. If you decide to look into this, it may be the case that you would have to move campuses, as I believe Natsci is based in Exeter, whereas marine biology is based in Penryn.
More broadly, several other universities, such as Plymouth and Bangor, offer marine biology with a foundation year, so this would be a good route in if you don’t have the right a levels! I’d definitely recommend a foundation year, it’s a really good option to get you where you want to be- it was so worth doing mine, as it means I can now study a degree I love!
Marine biology is awesome, but it’s also worth looking through their modules to make sure the focus is correct for your particular interests! It can be quite a broad field that involves conservation, biochemistry and some oceanography, so check this is right for you, it may be that course like ecology where you can specialise later, may be better suited for you!
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions- I’m happy to answer anything about what it was like to switch courses or what I’m studying, I’ll do my best to answer whatever I can!
Best of luck!
Jas
UEA Rep
Reply 5
4
Original post
by artful_loungerIt's not necessarily an issue to only apply to a course at one uni if it's a specific course/format for that uni that you prefer to all others (that's what I did).
In your case though I think you're unnecessarily limiting yourself - as noted above lots of science courses are available with a foundation year.
Southampton has a pretty well established marine biology course and it's available with a foundation year for example
In your case though I think you're unnecessarily limiting yourself - as noted above lots of science courses are available with a foundation year.
Southampton has a pretty well established marine biology course and it's available with a foundation year for example
thank you so much!! i completely forgot that foundation years were a thing.
Reply 6
Original post
by usernameame3i'm in year 12. i would've wanted to take Maths and Bio, along with History as my third subject, but i was experiencing mental health issues during year 10/11 and didn't get the grades i needed. the idea of going to uni and studying History is something i had accepted, but i recently discovered that, at Exeter, the entry requirements for Marine Biology are: one science subject.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
Hi usernameame3,
I'm a current PhD student at the University of Exeter, based in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Penryn (so the same department that the marine biology course is taught from). I also studied here for my undergraduate degree too, in zoology, which has some module overlap with marine biology. It's a fantastic course, with a genuinely world-leading department and in a perfect location right by the coast in Cornwall.
If marine biology is your passion I would definitely encourage you to consider applying. Lots of different students are on the course with a wide range of different academic backgrounds, including various combinations of A-Levels, IB subjects, or international subjects. You might find that your A Level choices actually give you an advantage in some areas, such as essay writing and structuring, compared to other applicants who might have done a different combination of subjects. The first year of the course is intentionally quite broad to get everyone up to the same speed with the foundations of the subject, before offering much more choice in later years. You can find out more about the course structure here. I would also note that the entry requirements do also specify a certain grade in GCSE Maths, so make sure to check that here.
I hope this reply has been encouraging, but please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have anymore questions about the course or life as a student in Penryn.
Kingsley
University of Exeter Student Ambassador
Reply 7
Original post
by usernameame3i'm in year 12. i would've wanted to take Maths and Bio, along with History as my third subject, but i was experiencing mental health issues during year 10/11 and didn't get the grades i needed. the idea of going to uni and studying History is something i had accepted, but i recently discovered that, at Exeter, the entry requirements for Marine Biology are: one science subject.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
Hi @usernameame3 😊
It is great to hear you are thinking about marine biology!💜
The University of Essex's entry requirements are for UK students:
•
GCSE: Mathematics C/4.
•
A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in Biology, Environmental Science, Life and Health Sciences or Marine Science.
•
BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken.
•
Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from a list of our undergraduate application page.
To see more information on our marine biology course please click here: https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00263/1/bsc-marine-biology
If you have any questions, please let me know. Good luck with your applications! 🍀
From EssexOfficialRep💫
Reply 8
Original post
by usernameame3i'm in year 12. i would've wanted to take Maths and Bio, along with History as my third subject, but i was experiencing mental health issues during year 10/11 and didn't get the grades i needed. the idea of going to uni and studying History is something i had accepted, but i recently discovered that, at Exeter, the entry requirements for Marine Biology are: one science subject.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
their list of accepted sciences includes Psychology.
i'm sure i would be a weaker applicant because of my subject choices.
and i also checked other Marine Biology courses at different unis. all of them ask for Biology + a science. so if i want to go with Marine Bio, my only option, afaik, is Exeter.
but i have a feeling. that this would be really stupid and maybe risky to pursue.
Hello,
If you’ve researched and is really interested in Marine Biology, go for it. You can also apply to other universities through foundation entry. If you don’t get accepted to Exeter you can do the foundation route instead.
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
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