Marine Biology with Professor Alex Ford and Dr Nicolai Roterman

Marine Biologists are the first-line of defence for our blue planet, developing and protecting the globe’s saltwater ecosystems. Studying Marine Biology at Portsmouth, you will have active conservation projects to work on, fieldwork trips both near and abroad to participate in, and world class facilities on your doorstep. 

Portsmouth’s course is ranked number 13 in the UK for Biosciences (Guardian University Guide 2022), and is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, meaning you will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge that any employer in the industry is looking for. You will learn about the diverse range of marine organisms, from phytoplankton to cetaceans, and most importantly how to protect our oceans’ delicate ecosystems against the increasing  threats of climate change, habitat destruction and resource exploitation. 

The course will also equip you with practical marine skills, with access to the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Solent European Marine Site, with their range of research vessels. Portsmouth also has its own aquatic centre and lab suite, and you will be taught and assessed in a range of ways from traditional lectures and exams, to posters and field-based research projects. You will also have the option to take a placement or study abroad year, and Portsmouth offers a foundation year option to widen access to the course. This course can open doors for many careers in marine biology, including: coastal zone management, environmental toxicology, marine conservation, aquaculture, marine policy, and marine resource management.