Marine Biology BSc (Hons) at University of Liverpool

From microscopic algae to giant whales, most of our planet’s life is found in the oceans. 

As a marine biologist, you will learn about the behaviour, physiology, and ecology of marine organisms, and how marine food webs are influenced by global warming and fisheries.

We produce highly employable marine biologists, able to apply their knowledge and skills to fields including monitoring, pollution, conservation, and aquaculture.

Our four-year integrated master’s programme is designed to train high performing marine biologists to the best possible standard to prepare them for PhD research and employment.

Programme in detail

Modern marine biology requires a wide range of skills, from fieldwork to data analysis. The first two years of study help you develop these core skills. There are week-long field courses in every year of study, including opportunities for boat work. Students currently make an independent overseas study visit in the summer of Year Two, for which past destinations include Australia, Tanzania, Ecuador and Iceland.

In Year Three, you will take advanced modules in your area of interest, and spend a large amount of time working on your independent research project. Recent projects include investigating physiological data on how cormorants stay warm while diving in frigid Arctic waters, building mathematical models of coral reefs, and looking at the impacts of a wind farm on benthic communities.

You can choose modules from across the School of Environmental Sciences and from the School of Life Sciences. In each year there are topics such as climate change and ocean physics, population ecology, physiology, conservation, parasitology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics.

Our degree is one of only a handful in the UK to be accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMAREST).

Career prospects

Our graduates have a diverse range of careers in the following areas which include: the media, environmental consultancy, administration, academia, teaching, local and national government and international banking. Examples of recent graduate careers in the sector include: fisheries observers, surveyor, seabird research assistant, turtle conservation field leader, field assistant on mammal surveys, rangers and conducting environmental surveys for construction work. Many choose to continue their studies at master’s or PhD level on topics such as fish assemblages in mangroves, marine ecosystem responses to climate change and carbon sequestration in soils.

Recent employers

• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
• United Utilities
• Fairbanks Environmental
• Wildlife Sense
• Earth and Marine Environmental Consultants
• International Pole and Line Foundation
• Universities of Liverpool, Manchester and Southampton.