Marine Environmental Science (Hons), B.Sc.

Overview

You’ll graduate primed for a career in areas such as marine environmental consultancy, marine conservation, coastal management, and underwater exploration and conservation. You'll also set yourself up to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

On this Marine Environmental Science (Hons) degree course offered at University of Portsmouth, you'll:

• Study marine environments, from the tiniest plankton to the massive effect of global warming on our oceans

• Make use of our laboratories and beachside Institute of Marine Sciences, packed with expert staff, advanced analytical equipment, and experimental and aquarium facilities

• Get to grips with essential tests and techniques, including the study of marine water quality, marine life and pollutants

• Make the most of our location on Hampshire's coastline and put what you've learnt to the test with boat trips on the Solent and field trips to surrounding areas

• Get Student Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and Associate Membership of the IES when you graduate

You can also:

• Conduct research in places such as Malta, Portugal and Belize

• Learn specialist skills while you study, such scientific and technical diving in unit certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

• Spend time studying abroad at one of our partner institutions – these include Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain), Universite du Havre, (Le Havre, France) and Adam Mickiewicz University (Poznan, Poland)

Placement year

After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in industry or in research.

The coastal location means there are many placement opportunities nearby. Previous students have been on placements to Dover Harbour Board and Portsmouth Waters.

You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Careers and opportunities

The ongoing threats to the natural environment mean the world needs people with the specialised scientific knowledge to safeguard marine resources for future generations. This means you'll have plenty of job opportunities after the course.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:

• environmental consultancies
• sustainability specialists
• underwater exploration
• conservation
• wildlife protection
• coastal management

Roles the graduates have taken on include:

• geographical information scientist
• environmental consultant
• spatial analyst

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level.

When you finish the course you can apply for Associate Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and get Chartered Membership of the IES within 4-5 years, with appropriate work experience. Chartered Membership of the IES is required in many environmental careers.

After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from the Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.