Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Marine biologists are the first line of defence for our blue planet, and are crucial to enhance the ecology and environment of our oceans.This BSc (Hons) Marine Biology degree, accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), will give you the skills you need to play your part. With conservation projects and world class facilities on our doorstep, Portsmouth is the perfect place to begin a career as a marine scientist.- Work on active conservation projects – such as the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, the Solent BioHut project, the Isle of Wight UNESCO Marine Biosphere, and the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project- Access the Solent European Marine Site with its wide range of environments through the Institute of Marine Sciences, our internationally renowned shoreside marine station- Go on a marine field trip abroad, where you can explore exotic, unique and diverse ecosystems- Get practical marine skills on our research vessels, including a large experimental raft, a 6-metre high-speed shallow draft launch for inshore work and a suite of sampling systems including dredges, grabs and nets- Build experience on a one-year work placement, study abroad at one of our partner universities, and learn powerboating with the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) or PADI-certified scientific and technical diving

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

On this BSc (Hons) Marine Biology degree, you'll learn about a wide array of marine organisms, from phytoplankton to cetaceans, and how to protect the oceans and their delicate ecosystems against the growing threats of climate change, habitat destruction and resource exploitation.When you graduate, you'll be ready for a career in a range of marine science areas, such as conservation, resource management and aquaculture, or to pursue academic research, lab work, field work or policy making.You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level. Many graduates go onto study MRes Science or MSc Applied Aquatic Biology.

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in:- post-graduate research- coastal zone management- environmental toxicology- marine conservation- aquaculture - marine policy- marine resource management

Roles previous graduates have gone on to do include:- lab analyst- field technician- agriculture supervisor- radioactive chemist- extraction scientist- day yacht skipper- watersports instructor- biology teacher