Marine Biology with a Year Abroad BSc (Hons)
Swansea University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Location

Singleton Park Campus

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Study mode

Full Time With Time Abroad

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Start date

22-SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Singleton Park Campus

Study mode

Full time with time abroad

Start date

22-SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECTED

Subjects

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Biological Sciences
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

Marine biology is a fascinating subject involving the study of life in the sea, and this course will give you the opportunity to explore a diverse and stimulating range of modules such as marine plankton and oceanography, marine ecosystems and marine and terrestrial ecology. You will spend the third of your four years at one of our partner institutions abroad. Our coastal location gives easy access to a wide range of study habitats including exposed rocky shores, steep cliffs enclosing sandy ...Read more

Marine biology is a fascinating subject involving the study of life in the sea, and this course will give you the opportunity to explore a diverse and stimulating range of modules such as marine plankton and oceanography, marine ecosystems and marine and terrestrial ecology. You will spend the third of your four years at one of our partner institutions abroad. Our coastal location gives easy access to a wide range of study habitats including exposed rocky shores, steep cliffs enclosing sandy sheltered bays, salt marshes and estuarine mudflats, and you will undertake boat work on our custom-designed 18m catamaran-class survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art survey and research equipment.


Our Biosciences facilities include:

A £1.6m purpose-built 18m catamaran-class survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art survey and research equipment based in Swansea Marina, a centre for sustainable aquatic research, a £1.3m visualisation centre and a £4.m laboratory facility. The BSc Marine Biology course is


accredited by the Royal Society of Biology

, and covers themes including animal and marine welfare and conservation, the biological control of invertebrate pests, microbiology, and ocean and climate.


All of our courses are available with a Year in Industry or Year Abroad

These placement years increase our students confidence and communication skills as well as help them to gain valuable experiences that will ultimately enhance their employability. To find out more go to https://www.swansea.ac.uk/science-and-engineering/


We guarantee that you will be made a conditional offer for a course at Swansea University. Subject requirements will apply. Please come along to our next Open Day or get in touch for further information.

Book an Open Day here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/our-open-days/

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
40/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
30th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
37th
Ecology and Environmental Biology
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
92%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Ecology and Environmental Biology graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Ecology and Environmental Biology graduate salary
£18,000
What students say
B
Ben
06 Dec 23

God facilities and support, practical applications to study are also very..Read more

H
Henry
06 Dec 23

Best experience is all the field trips Worst experience is random hot water outages in penmaen..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB - ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

To include Biology or Human Biology

ABBCC to include Biology Grade B

Pass with Distinction overall to include 24 distinctions (3 in Biology), plus 15 Merits. Only Science based Access course considered (excluding Health Sciences)

We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.

To include 5 in Higher Level Biology or Human Biology

From Science based BTEC Extended Diploma (excluding Animal Management and Health Science) plus at least one grade B in GCSE Science with GCSE Grades C in English/Welsh and Mathematics. Accepted BTECs: Applied Science, Environmental Sustainability and Countryside Management.

Requirements are as for A levels where you can substitute the same non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core Grade

Popular A-level subjects

Ecology and Environmental Biology

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Biology
97%
Chemistry
40%
Geography
31%
Mathematics
29%
Psychology
13%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest Marine Biology reviews

Marine Biology
Marine Biology
B
Ben
06 Dec 23
Marine Biology BSc (Hons)
God facilities and support, practical applications to study are also very...
Read more
H
Henry
06 Dec 23
Marine Biology BSc (Hons)
Best experience is all the field trips Worst experience is random hot water outages in penmaen...
Read more
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How Marine Biology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.5) 74 reviews
5 star
52%
4 stars
44%
3 stars
4%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 4,406 reviews
5 star
53%
4 stars
36%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

Swansea University
Swansea University , Swansea

Swansea University is renowned for its excellence in research, teaching reputation and delightful seafront location....

Student rating
( 4.4) View reviews
CUG ranking
37th
Swansea University
Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Swansea  1.2 miles away

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