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Marine Zoology BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: C350
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Our accredited Marine Zoology degree will equip you with a thorough understanding of the marine environment while preparing you for a range of careers in the sector.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £26400

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

The planet cannot survive without its oceans. Our mission is to nurture and train you as a marine zoologist with the skills to solve global challenges. You’ll enjoy a unique experience at Newcastle University and develop the skills and knowledge for a successful career.

A career in Marine Zoology is perfect if you are passionate about the environment, love the ocean, want to make a difference in the world and are driven to stand out in a competitive industry.

You will address key challenges including:

  • loss of marine biodiversity
  • marine conservation
  • genetics
  • cellular and sub-organism processes
  • adaptations of marine organisms to their environment

You’ll explore a variety of marine animals from the diverse aquatic ecology of the North Sea to overseas ecosystems. You’ll also investigate animal behaviour in the wild, which requires time at sea with close observation.

You'll have access to outstanding facilities. You’ll be out at sea on our research vessel, the Princess Royal and conducting practical workshops at our coastal laboratory, the Dove Marine Laboratory. You’ll investigate out in the field and analyse findings in the lab, putting theory into practice.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You’ll cover a broad range of topics to provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge in Marine Zoology. This foundation will help you understand more complex challenges and solutions as you progress in your degree.

You will study the form, function and classification of marine animals. You'll focus on cell biology and genetics, marine ecosystems and biological oceanography. You'll gain experience through laboratory classes, field work and time on our research vessel.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Marine Biology 20
Diversity of Marine Animals 20
The Marine Environment 20
Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences 20
Marine Practical Skills 1 20
Optional Modules Credits
Genetics and Evolution 20
Marine Microbiology and Primary Producers 20

You'll explore more advanced concepts of marine zoology, including molecular biology and genomics.

You'll also undertake a residential field course exploring marine biodiversity. You will study organisms, from zooplankton to marine mammals and birds.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Animal Function (Physiology and Development) 20
Tropical Marine Ecology 20
Academic and Employability Skills 20
Marine Practical Skills II 20
Marine Vertebrate Biology and Ecology 20
Optional Modules Credits
Evolutionary Biology 20
Applied Marine Biology 20
Deep-Sea and Polar Biology 20

Your final year will focus on your marine research project that you can take in the UK or overseas. You will submit a scientific paper. From researching and writing your paper, to presenting for staff and students. This experience is invaluable as writing research papers is a core requirement in the field.

You'll also study advanced marine biology and zoology. These topics focus on the latest research within the field including deep-sea ecology, DNA meta-barcoding and animal tracking.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Advanced Marine Research Topics I 20
Advanced Marine Research Topics 2 20
Global Marine Science 20
Research Project 40
Optional Modules Credits
Biodiversity Science and Management 20
Physiological Zoology 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

During the course, you'll be taught via a variety of methods, including:

  • lectures/seminars
  • laboratory practicals
  • research vessel practicals
  • field work
  • research project
  • small group tutorials

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Practical sessions

Skills and experience

Business skills

You'll gain industrial experience through:

  • employability skills module in Stage 2
  • work placements
  • study abroad opportunities
  • industrial visits

You'll also develop key business skills, including:

  • writing proposals
  • designing experimental studies
  • writing scientific reports and papers
  • delivering presentations

Practical skills

With miles of coastline and the North Sea on your doorstep, you’ll enjoy a unique learning experience at Newcastle. You'll develop strong practical skills including:

  • field sampling methods
  • field observations and recording
  • measuring environmental and biological characteristics of estuarine and coastal environments
  • experimental design and data handling

We challenge our students to put theory into practice out in the field.

Field trips are vital as you explore the marine biology of different environments. These include:

  • exploring the marine environment on the Isle of Cumbrae
  • overseas residential field course in locations such as Portugal, Mexico, or Bermuda

Research skills

Research is at the heart of what we do. You’ll enjoy research-led teaching which includes our latest research findings. Recent discoveries include a new species of sawshark (Pliotrema kajae) and microplastics in deep sea systems.

You will develop your research skills in the laboratory and out at sea. You’ll have access to outstations on the coast and conduct field work in the North East.

You will be equipped with key research skills including:

  • proficiency in advanced data analysis software such as PRIMER and ArcGIS
  • on-board vessel experience
  • statistical analysis
  • practical survey skills
  • writing scientific papers
  • presenting at conferences

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Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus.

During your studies, you'll learn in modern laboratories. You can visit the Great North Museum, where there's a range of important biological collections. We also have our controlled-environment aquaria situated in the Ridley 2 Building.

You will study live marine animals at our Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats. With a live aquarium on-site, you’ll examine a range of wildlife to study. You’ll also develop survey and identification techniques and environmental assessment skills.

Our research vessel, The Princess Royal, is a floating laboratory. It is an integral part of your learning experience at Newcastle. Activities on the vessel range from oceanographic characterisation of river plumes to remote camera surveys of offshore habitats.

Support

To support you in your studies, you'll have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to support you through your studies. Any issues you may have, they are always available to help.

Your future

88% of our 2016/17 graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.

During your second year, you will undertake a short, 35 hour placement within the marine sector. Many of our graduates have gone on to gain employment with our placement providers.

Employers hold our graduates in high regard. Our graduates have secured jobs with companies including:

  • Ocean Ecology
  • Natural Power
  • BBC Natural History Unit
  • Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve

Industry links

Join our network of confident and successful graduates who benefit from our industry links with:

  • Marine Management Organisation
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
  • Natural England
  • Greenpeace
  • National Trust
  • BBC Natural History Unit
  • Lindisfarne Natural Nature Reserve

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

26400

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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