Marine Biology BSc (Hons)
Course Overview - Marine Biology BSc (Hons)
Over 70 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered by seawater and all known phyla are believed to have originated in the sea or have marine representatives. The world's oceans influence our weather and climate and provide a large proportion of the resources used by humans. Our Marine Biology degrees span this multidisciplinary field, by linking biology with oceanography to learn how life on Earth affects, and is affected by, marine processes. Areas of marine expertise at Queen's range from the evolution of marine flora and fauna, invasive species, community ecology and climate chan...
Over 70 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered by seawater and all known phyla are believed to have originated in the sea or have marine representatives. The world's oceans influence our weather and climate and provide a large proportion of the resources used by humans. Our Marine Biology degrees span this multidisciplinary field, by linking biology with oceanography to learn how life on Earth affects, and is affected by, marine processes. Areas of marine expertise at Queen's range from the evolution of marine flora and fauna, invasive species, community ecology and climate change to the migration and foraging ecology of marine vertebrates such as basking sharks and sea turtles. We are ideally located for the study of marine biology, with close access to diverse habitats, from estuaries and mudflats to rocky shores and the Atlantic Ocean. The Queen's University Marine Laboratory is our research centre for interdisciplinary marine sciences, located 30 miles from the main campus, in the Strangford Lough Marine Nature Reserve, on a site we share with the Northern Ireland aquarium, Exploris. All students take at least one residential field course each year at the Laboratory, and have the opportunity to pursue an independent research project for their Honours thesis in their final year.
Course Information
1 option available
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Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
2026-09-16
Campus
Main Site
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
C160
Institution Code
Q75
Points of Entry
Year 1
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Scottish Higher
Access to HE Diploma
96
144
Access to HE Diploma must contain sufficient relevant modules in Biology and Chemistry. Contact the Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk) for advice. Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 60 credits is required, including 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
96
144
National Extended Diploma must be relevant, ie Applied Science Successful completion of RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with overall grades DDD. Applicants must have Distinction grades in four specified units to include: Principles of Applied Science I Principles of Applied Science II and two from the following: Biological Molecules & Metabolic Pathways Genetics & Genetic Engineering Diseases and Infections Microbiology & Microbiological Techniques
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
96
144
To include Higher Level grade H3 in Biology. If not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Chemistry, English and Mathematics.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
96
144
Successful completion of QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with overall grades DDD.
Scottish Advanced Higher
96
144
Advanced Higher Biology required. Offers are normally made on the basis of a combination of Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.
A level
96
144
A-level Biology or Double Award Science required. A-level General Studies and Critical Thinking are normally excluded from offers. However, the grade achieved may be taken into account when results are published in August and may be used in a tie-break situation.
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Fees and funding
| Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland | £4,750 | 2026/27 | Year 1 | |
| England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands | £9,250 | 2026/27 | Year 1 | |
| EU, International | £25,300 | 2026/27 | Year 1 |
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