Marine Science
Marine science explores the oceans that cover more than two thirds of our planet, investigating the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes that make them work. From the behaviour of ocean currents and the chemistry of seawater to the ecology of coral reefs and the deep sea, it is a discipline that sits at the heart of some of the most urgent scientific challenges of our time, including rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and the health of marine ecosystems. At the University of Exeter, this three-year, full-time programme gives you a thorough scientific grounding in the ocean systems that shape our world.
You will study biological oceanography, marine ecology, physical oceanography, and marine chemistry, developing the practical skills to collect, process, and analyse data in both field and laboratory settings. Exeter's marine science programme is particularly distinguished by the emphasis it places on real scientific experience, with fieldwork forming a central part of your education from early in the degree. A student reflecting on one field trip noted that collecting data at sea and then processing samples in the lab added enormous context to the work, illustrating the full research process from start to finish.
The programme includes a sandwich placement year and work placement opportunities, allowing you to develop professional experience alongside your academic study, as well as a year abroad, broadening your understanding of marine systems and scientific approaches in an international context.
Graduates of marine science go on to careers in environmental consultancy, marine conservation, fisheries management, oceanographic research, government environmental agencies, and the offshore energy sector. Many also proceed to postgraduate research, and the combination of strong quantitative skills and practical field experience makes marine science graduates attractive to a wide range of scientific and environmental employers. If the oceans and their role in the earth's future are what draw you, this programme offers a rigorous and genuinely exciting route into the field.