Oceanography
University of Southampton
UCAS Code: F700 | Master of Science - MSci
University of Southampton
UCAS Code: F700 | Master of Science - MSci
Entry requirements
A level
AAB to include two science subjects. A level science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Environmental Science, Geography and Geology. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit. A core science Access to HE Diploma to include Level 3 modules in at least two from physics, chemistry, biology, or environmental science is required. If you are unsure whether the Access you are studying would be accepted, please contact the Admissions Team before submitting an application.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, D3, M2 to include Biology and one further science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, and Geography. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
Extended Project
ABB from 3 A-levels including two acceptable science subjects, and grade A in the EPQ. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including at least 5 and 6 in two Higher Level science subjects. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation), Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include two science subjects. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Environmental Science, Geography and Geology. Applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at ILC Grade C or 04, the equivalent of GCSE grade C/grade 4.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma without two A-levels to include two science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
AA from two acceptable science A-level subjects and B from Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Uncover the secrets of our oceans.
On your four-year integrated Oceanography masters, accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST), you will join one of the largest marine science communities in Europe, learning about the breadth of oceanography and the oceans whilst building your practical knowledge and skills.
You will study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world’s largest centres devoted to research, teaching, and technology development in ocean and Earth science, and will graduate primed to pursue an extensive range of careers.*
While at Southampton, you will study:
- Coastal change, from beach dynamics to sea level rise
- Ocean currents
- Globally connecting tropics to poles
- The physical and chemical controls on life in the oceans
You will develop your practical skills in the laboratory and on board our research vessels, which are moored minutes away from the lecture theatres, take part in a dedicated oceanography field course and research-orientated independent projects, and learn from academics who have influenced policy and decision-making at government at national and European level and benefit from links with industry, government and other major oceanography and marine biology centres around the world.
*Ocean and Earth Science at Southampton is ranked 8th in the UK and 39th globally, QS World Rankings by Subject (Earth and Marine Science), 2023 and 98% of Ocean and Earth Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/2021).
Modules
We have a varied range of modules for all years, which gives you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your passions and to equip you with the skills and experiences needed for success as a graduate.
For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page.
Assessment methods
Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.
The learning activities for this course include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group, projects and independent learning.
We’ll assess you using coursework, laboratory reports and essays, individual and group projects, oral presentations and written exams.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Ocean and Earth Science
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Earth sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Earth sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Earth sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£23k
£28k
£34k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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