BSc Marine Biology

The majority of life on earth is found under the sea, but most of it remains to be explored. Tropical reefs, deep-sea trenches, seagrass meadows and frozen polar seas are all individually unique and complex environments, but connected within Earth's single, vast ocean. By joining our BSc Marine Biology course you will be immersed in this fascinating ocean world.

At Essex you will begin your journey through diverse marine ecosystems from day one. Our team of internationally renowned academic staff will introduce you to ocean systems and marine ecology through their own research on topics as varied as coral reef conservation, fisheries management, animal behaviour, marine biotechnology and microbiology. These are taught alongside key scientific skills including data analysis and interpretation, literature research and presentation skills to give you a concrete foundation for your scientific career.

You will develop the concepts introduced in lectures through extensive, practical, hands-on experience in the laboratories of our STEM Centre, as well as in the field. Our local estuaries and coastal ecosystems are a natural laboratory on our doorstep. You will investigate the diversity of beautiful Essex salt marshes and interact with key people working to improve our coastline, including Essex Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and Colchester Oyster Fisheries. Later in your degree there will be opportunities to travel to field locations in Scotland, Greece and Indonesia (subject to additional costs) to apply what you have learned. During a trip to Indonesia, in the heart of the Coral Triangle, you will learn to dive and participate in unique underwater research surveys and lectures.

After completing core modules, you will move on to more advanced and specialised modules that are driven by our departmental research expertise.

In the final year you will have the opportunity to select an independent research project through which you can further develop your own interests. Previous topics have included studies on oyster fisheries and water quality with local industry, fieldwork on sea turtle ecology in Greece and identifying coral reef conservation strategies in the Caribbean and Indonesia.

During the field trip to Wakatobi Marine National Park in Indonesia, our students are able to participate in underwater lectures.

We’re ranked 54th (14th in UK) for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for climate action (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024).

Visit our course pages for BSc Ecology and Environmental Biology, and BSc Global Sustainability for information about our other environmental science undergraduate degrees.

Sustainability at Essex

To learn about the initiatives and actions the University of Essex is taking to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, visit our sustainability page.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation. This is usually focussed around your course, and enables you to learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

Our expert staff

As one of the largest schools in our University we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment with current, research-led study and high-quality teaching. You will benefit from the wide expertise of our research-active academics and their pioneering work on marine issues of national and global importance.

All of our academic staff conduct their own research and have professional expertise that you will benefit from through your studies. From genes to cells, whole animals and through to communities and ecosystems, our marine biology academics design course materials that make their world-class research accessible and inspiring.

You will have the flexibility to specialise in areas that interest you most and work with academics from our Ecology and Environmental Microbiology Research Group including, among many others:

• Learning about Earth's largest unexplored habitat, the deep-sea, with Dr Michelle Taylor – the President of the Deep-Sea Biology Society and BSc Marine Biology Course Director.
• Understanding cutting-edge biotechnological approaches towards preventing and cleaning-up marine pollution with Dr Boyd McKew, Dr Nick Aldred and Professor Terry McGenity.
• Studying corals, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove systems with Professor Leanne Hepburn and other expert staff in our School of Life Sciences.
• Learning about animal behaviour, movement and connectivity with Dr Anna Sturrock, a leading fish ecology researcher.
• Understanding the evolution and phylogenetics of marine and freshwater species with Dr Jennifer Hoyal Cuthill who applies machine learning to understanding speciation.
• Learning about the importance of marine and freshwater sediments in climate change and monitoring ocean health with our team of environment experts including Professor Alex Dumbrell and Dr Natalie Hicks.

We are proud that one-third of students at the University of Essex are from outside of the UK. The University has a Women's Network to support female staff and students, and the School of Life Sciences has been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award (2020) reflecting the work carried out by staff in our School to improve equality. Measures include a mentorship scheme, support for postdoctoral research staff and financial help towards childcare costs for academics who wish to attend conferences.

Specialist facilities

Our School of Life Sciences has received major investment over recent years to fund new teaching laboratories in our STEM Centre and new research aquaria for studies of tropical, temperate, marine and freshwater systems.

You will work in an open and friendly department, with shared staff-student social spaces and during your final-year research project you will work alongside academics and PhD students in shared laboratories. You may choose to use our state-of-the-art research facilities, including everything from environmentally controlled systems for ecological experiments and molecular biology laboratories, to behavioural analysis systems and our advanced bioimaging facility. There are drones available for remote sensing surveys, an advanced bioimaging suite, and the latest Oxford Nanopore portable genome sequencers, all within the School. Through our global networks we have created national and international field courses in Plymouth, Millport, Greece, and Indonesia to teach you the latest field techniques.

Your future

As the world's environmental problems worsen, the demand for qualified marine biologists and ecologists continues to grow.

Your degree in marine biology will open up wide-ranging career opportunities, including further study, careers in conservation, science writing and editing, as well as commercial research or consultancy for governmental or non-governmental organisations.

Our past students have taken up work in research laboratories, consultancies, business and industry, conservation practice and environmental assessment. Some have gone on to work in the commercial sector, while others still have chosen to enhance their career opportunities by studying for MSc or PhD degrees.

Recent graduates now work for the following high-profile organisations:

• Marine Biology Research Manager at Hive Ventures
• Process Scientist at Thames Water
• New Earth Solutions
• Engine Group
• Cromwell Council
• DEFRA
• Operation Wallacea
• BBC

We also work with our University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

"After graduating from Essex I was appointed as a research supervisor at the Archipelagos Insitute of Marine Conservation in Greece. Through researching the marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea, I was exposed to a very different environment to the estuaries and salt marshes of Essex! From shallow coastal seagrass meadows to deep-sea coralligenous habitats, and the vast diversity of fish and invertebrates they host. My journey into environmental research progressed when I was offered a research Masters back at Essex. In collaboration with Project Seagrass, I will be focusing on seagrass restoration and recovery in the southern North Sea, hoping to further this important research and potentially contribute towards climate change initiatives."

Alice Malcolm-McKay, BSc Marine Biology, 2020