Marine Biology BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised. Please contact our friendly advisers to find out if you’re eligible for a place. You can get in touch through our hotlines: 

• For domestic students please call us on 0800 073 5050
• If you’re an International student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2025.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2025. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

The planet cannot survive without its oceans. Our mission is to nurture and train you as a marine biologist with the skills to solve global challenges.

You’ll explore all marine life, from invertebrates, fish, seabirds and marine mammals to plants, algae and bacteria.

This programme is ideal if you are interested in understanding the complex interactions between marine life and their environments. It prepares you for careers in ecology, marine science and environmental management.

You’ll address key challenges of today including:

• climate change
• marine pollution
• sustainable use of our marine resources
• loss of marine biodiversity
• marine conservation

Download information about this course as a PDF

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 2025-26.

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 Biology. This foundation will help you understand more complex challenges and solutions as you progress in your degree.

You'll also be introduced to standard laboratory procedures, experimental design, sampling methods, field observations, and recording, analysing and displaying scientific information.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Ecology and Conservation	20
Marine Biology	20
Animal Life	20
The Marine Environment	20
Skills for the Biosciences	20

You also take Genetics and Evolution (20 credits)

You’ll develop a deeper understanding of marine ecology. You’ll also learn how your marine biology skills apply to many different areas. These can include industrial, biotechnology and food production.

You’ll develop your skills and knowledge through laboratory practicals, workshops, field trips and a residential field course.

Modules

Compulsory modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory module	Credits
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation	20
Global Marine Ecology	20
Oceans and Climate I	20
Academic and Employability Skills	20

Optional modules

You take one of the following optional modules:

Optional module	Credits
Evolution and Behaviour	20
Vertebrate Biology and Ecology	20
Molecular and Population Genomics	20

You take one of the following optional modules:

Optional module	Credits
Applied Marine Biology	20
Marine Fisheries Science	20

In Stage 3, you’ll complete your marine research project either in the UK or overseas. As part of your project, you’ll submit a scientific paper and present your findings to 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 conservation of whale populations.

Modules

Compulsory modules

You take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Global Challenges & Solutions	20
Marine Biodiversity & Conservation	20
Global Marine Science	20
Research Project	40

Optional modules

You take one of the following optional modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Physiological Zoology	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2024-25.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

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

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

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Interviews

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reflective report/journal

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical experience

With miles of coastline and the North Sea on your doorstep, you’ll enjoy a unique learning experience at Newcastle.

You'll be challenged to put theory into practice out in the field.

Field trips are vital as you explore the marine biology of different environments. For any residential field course activity a student contribution will be required. These include:

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

Business skills

You'll gain industrial experience through:

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

You'll also develop key skills, including:

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

Research skills

Research is at the heart of what we do. You'll learn about the latest research from our school and your lecturers. They have a diverse range of expertise and work alongside policymakers, conservation organisations, and industry experts to deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems. This research-led approach to teaching makes sure your studies are accurate and relevant.

Recent discoveries include a new species of sawshark (Pliotrema kajae) and microplastics in deep sea systems.

You’ll develop your research skills in the laboratory and out at sea. You’ll have access to our outstations on the coast and complete fieldwork in the North East.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Gain a global perspective, enhance your academic profile and open doors to exciting new experiences by studying abroad for one semester or a full academic year at one of our partner universities overseas. Study abroad usually takes place in stage 3 of your studies and extends your degree by one year.

You'll have the choice to study at a leading international university, including:

• Monash University 
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Pittsburgh

You can also opt for short-term global opportunities like summer schools, virtual exchanges or internships that usually take place over the summer months.

Work placement

During your degree you can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an industry placement, in the UK or abroad. Your work placement is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, acquire key business skills and make industry contacts. You’ll get University support from our dedicated team. Work placements usually take place between Stages 2 and 3 and extend your degree by a year.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

The Ridley 2 Building is the home of Marine Biology and Marine Zoology and is located on our city-centre campus. It's based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

Located within are ten modern research-ready laboratories with specialist facilities where you’ll gain hands-on experience including computer-controlled force gauge, molecular biology suits, spectrophotometers and air-sea gas exchange tanks. We also have our controlled-environment aquaria here.

Our outstanding Marine Science facilities, where you'll study live marine animals, include:

• the Dove Marine Laboratory on the coast, with a live aquarium on-site
• Blyth Marine Station and Research vessel, The Princess Royal, a floating laboratory with activities like oceanographic characterisation of river plumes to remote camera surveys of offshore habitats
• the on-campus Great North Museum with a wide range of important biological collections

You'll gain hands-on experience to prepare you for an exciting future career.

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes

• a personal tutor who is an academic member of staff who can help you with academic and personal issues throughout your degree
• a peer mentor scheme which pairs you with a current student from your course to help you navigate your first year at university
• a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works
• support, treatment and guidance on mental and physical health from our wellbeing team

Your future

Our graduates have a strong reputation in the industry. They’ve secured jobs with:

• Ocean Ecology
• Natural Power
• BBC Natural History Unit
• Marine Management Organisation
• Natural England
• Environment Agency
• Cefas

By the end of your course, you’ll have a range of transferable skills that are useful in various careers. Our graduates have built successful careers in fields as diverse as computing and finance.

Industry links

Join our network of confident and successful graduates. They’ve benefitted 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 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

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) 31,500

Home Fee Students

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. This fee has not yet been confirmed for 2026-27.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

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.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

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