George Marine Biology and Oceanography

Choosing Newcastle

The school of marine sciences could not be matched by any other university I visited on open days, the enthusiasm and organisation of the open days, both the university one and the school one, were second to none. The course it self seemed well structured and unlike other marine biology courses advertised at other universities. It actually appeared to be teaching us marine biology from day one. Also, the staff seemed to all be well respected in the marine biology world and the options for modules was the best I had seen out of all the universities.

Course So Far

I wouldn't change it. Lecturers are current, modern, and have enthusiasm for the subject, essential when studying marine biology. The field trips abroad to Bermuda was immense and a once in a life time opportunity. It gets tough in second year after quite a relaxed first year, learning latin names, organism life cycles, and journal references, etc but at the end of the day, that's the point when you realise, we're here to get a degree, and the course gives you that light bulb moment and makes you realise that if you do well in the course,and study hard when you need to, the opportunities, especially international ones, for a marine biologist, are insane.

Surprises about my course

I was very well informed by both the university and by the school, which only helped to confirm the fact I had to go to Newcastle University! A positive thing I didn't expect is the amount of contact time that is available to students and also how willing the personal tutors are to help you succeed and when they need to act upon their duty of care, how willingly and understanding they are.

Facilities at Newcastle

Amazing - we have a brand new boat, a fantastic laboratory on the coast called the Dove, and amazing labs in the city centre, all of which enable marine biologists to become the best they can be.

Field Trips/Projects

In the first year we were out and about practically every week on field trips, visiting areas in and around Newcastle, at the end of second year we went to the Isle of Cumbrae to the Millport research station, where we all bonded very closely as a course, and for third year, I went to Bermuda to study coral abundance and diversity for an assessed piece of third year work, other students are heading to Portugal in Easter to study marine mammals and exotic rocky shores. There's also an option for doing your dissertation over seas but I have chosen to stay in Newcastle and test the oil dispersant used in the Gulf of Mexico Oil spill on the biological processes of the marine crustaceans, copepods.

Living in Newcastle

Perfect, there's something for everyone here, I enjoy the nightlife personally but the occasional trip to the theatre, cinema,the aquarium or the comedy club doesn't go a miss. I also surf so being close to the coast is ideal especially only being 25mins from a city centre. I get the best of both worlds. Newcastle has everything you need in a small radius. Highly recommended.

Accommodation Tips

Get your parents to buy your last big shop... buy expensive things as you soon switch to value products.  Get to know people,knock on their doors when you arrive, network in the first week, its so easy and 99% of people are easy to get along with and you'll make friends for life.  People i lived with in first year, we all went to Amsterdam and Paris in the summer together. Also, if you're a light sleeper, get some sleeping pills or earplugs... some people can be very loud when intoxicated.

Socialising at Newcastle

Im social sec for swimming and water polo club and was for surfing last year, so i spend a lot of my time training and socialising with the team and club. I also work as an events organiser so there is plenty of opportunity for work up here as a student as well. Im also on the Athletics Union executive so unlike other students I spend a bit of time in meetings organising events such as the Athletics Union Ball and The Stan Callvert sports competition. I don't really have spare time, living life to the full!