Marine Science BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about our seas and oceans? Can you imagine studying at a beachfront campus, with an enormous wealth of marine and coastal environments right outside your door?

Dive into an incredible living research environment, with internationally-renowned, state-of-the-art marine laboratory facilities, at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) on Scotland‘s west coast. Enjoy first-hand interactions with marine science experts, collect samples and data on research vessels, in aquaria and on the seashore, and develop excellent laboratory skills. 

Choose to study abroad in your third year at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in the Arctic Circle or Coastal Carolina, USA. 

Explore the marine realm first hand and apply the latest technologies throughout your studies, with subjects such as oceanography, biogeochemical cycling, conservation, robotics, data analysis and instrumentation, polar seas, the marine carbon cycle, and much more. 

A brilliant springboard to success in your future marine science career, exit with a BSc (Hons) Marine Science or choose to pursue pathways in Arctic Studies, Marine Biology, or Oceanography and Robotics.

Special features

• Opportunities to exit with any of the following four pathways:
  • BSc (Hons) Marine Science
  • BSc (Hons) Marine Science with Arctic Studies
  • BSc (Hons) Marine Science with Marine Biology
  • BSc (Hons) Marine Science with Oceanography and Robotics
• Opportunity to spend one or two semesters at:
  • the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in the Arctic Circle
  • Coastal Carolina, USA
  • or at another partner university
• Study at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scotland's premier independent marine research institution, located between a 13th century castle and the European Marine Science Park
• Founded in 1884 by Sir John Murray, the father of oceanography, SAMS is among the oldest marine science organisations in the world
• Excellent staff to student ratio, giving you an unmatched opportunity to learn from and with a team of highly research-active and globally connected researchers
• Access to internationally renowned marine laboratory facilities
• Based on the coastline of Oban, the ideal location for studying marine science, on the beach of a stunning peninsula on the iconic and diverse west coast of Scotland
• Independent research projects and field courses form a key part of your studies
• Study the biology, chemistry, physics, and geology of the marine environment, from Scottish lochs to the deep sea and from polar seas to the tropics
• Gain expert numerical, technical, analytical, field sampling, time management, and communication skills, to develop your critical thinking abilities and vastly improve your employability
• Spread your wings while studying with us: read this blog about an exchange experience in the Netherlands 'Kilts meet Clogs'
• UHI were 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for earth and marine science studies - Guardian University Guide 2022 and 2023
• 100% Student Satisfaction, National Student Survey (NSS) 2020, 2021, 2022
• For more information on the course content please see our module descriptors document
• For more details please visit the SAMS website

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 4 Scottish Highers at grade ABBB or above OR
• 3 A levels at grade BCC or above
• These must include two science subjects PLUS
• You must also have English and Maths at National 5, Standard Grade credit, or GCSE, or their equivalents
• International students whose first language is not English must also meet relevant language competency standards
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis

• Advanced entry to year two may be possible with an HNC Applied Sciences or HNC Bioscience, with a minimum of B in the graded unit

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Fundamentals of marine biology
• Fundamentals of marine chemistry
• Fundamentals of marine geology
• Fundamentals of marine physics
• Marine field course
• Mathematics and statistics

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Chemical oceanography
• Data science
• Marine biology
• Marine geology
• Physical oceanography

You will also pick one of the following optional modules:

• Advanced maths and programming (mandatory for Oceanography and Robotics students)
• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Marine resources

Year 3 - BSc

Students based at Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) UHI in this year will choose from the below modules.
 

Marine Science/Arctic Studies pathways
You will study the following core module:

• Literature review

You will also choose any five from the following modules:

• Marine biogeochemical cycling
• Marine biotechnology
• Marine conservation
• Marine instrumentation and data
• Marine microbial ecology
• Marine pollution
• Marine robotics
• Marine zoology
• Ocean circulation and climate

Marine Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Literature review
• Marine mammals and megafauna
• Marine microbial ecology
• Marine zoology

You will also choose any two from the following modules:

• Marine biogeochemical cycling
• Marine biotechnology
• Marine conservation
• Marine instrumentation and data
• Marine pollution
• Marine robotics
• Ocean circulation and climate

Oceanography and Robotics pathway

You will study the following core modules:

• Literature review
• Marine instrumentation and data
• Marine robotics
• Ocean circulation and climate

You will also choose any two from the following modules:

• Marine biogeochemical cycling
• Marine biotechnology
• Marine conservation
• Marine microbial ecology
• Marine pollution
• Marine zoology

If you are accepted for an exchange semester or year at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), you can choose from the following topics:

• Arctic biology
• Arctic geology
• Arctic geophysics
• Arctic technology

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Marine Science pathway
You will study the following core module:

• Dissertation

You will also choose any four from the following modules:

• Aquaculture
• Coastal and shelf sea dynamics
• Deep-seas ecology
• Defining the marine carbon cycle
• Fisheries ecology
• Marine environmental impact assessment
• Marine modelling
• Polar seas

Arctic Studies pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Polar seas
• Dissertation

You will also choose any three from the following modules:

• Aquaculture
• Coastal and shelf sea dynamics
• Deep-seas ecology
• Defining the marine carbon cycle
• Fisheries ecology
• Marine environmental impact assessment
• Marine modelling

Marine Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Behaviour and biological clocks
• Deep-seas ecology
• Dissertation

You will also choose any two from the following modules:

• Aquaculture
• Coastal and shelf sea dynamics
• Defining the marine carbon cycle
• Fisheries ecology
• Marine environmental impact assessment
• Marine modelling
• Polar seas

Oceanography and Robotics pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Coastal and shelf sea dynamics
• Marine modelling
• Dissertation

You will also choose any two from the following modules:

• Aquaculture
• Deep-seas ecology
• Defining the marine carbon cycle
• Fisheries ecology
• Marine environmental impact assessment
• Polar seas

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

You are expected to purchase a lab coat either from the university or from an alternative supplier (lab coats cost approximately £20). As the course contains substantial elements of fieldwork, waterproof clothing may also be required.

Participation in either the Red Sea ‘Tropical Ecosystems’ field course or the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust ‘Marine Mammal Observer’ RV Silurian field course will be an additional £1500 - £2000 per trip.