Oceanography (MSci)

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Your first year will introduce you to the ocean systems. You'll develop a foundation in the biology, physics, chemistry and geology of the marine environment. You'll gain the field and laboratory skills, including boat work, that will underpin your studies.

In your second year, you'll apply your scientific knowledge and focus on a number of exciting pathways.

In your third year, you'll tackle more advanced topics and explore contemporary issues, including environmental management and changes in climate. 

In your fourth year, you'll work with staff in the university, NOCS, or industry to produce a dissertation with a strong research or applied focus. You'll also choose specialist modules to prepare you for your onward career or study plans.

If you get top grades in your first year, you may be able to study abroad at a globally renowned research institution, usually for one semester. You might study areas such as polar oceanography or tropical storms, in countries including the USA, Norway and Australia. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Philip Goodwin is the course leader.

This MSci Oceanography degree will prepare you for work in a range of industries. Our alumni work in key oceanography and marine geologist jobs, including:

• research institutes (such as NERC)
• Natural England
• CEFAS
• the Environment Agency
• civil engineering and construction
• exploration geophysics and geophysical survey projects
• seismology
• conservation
• fisheries
• mining sector

Recent recruiters include:

• the British Antarctic Survey
• the Environment Agency
• ABP Research
• BP
• the Oil Spill  Response Centre
• Seastar Survey
• British Maritime Technology
• the Environmental Marine Unit (EMU) 

Alternatively, you can choose to take a specialised Masters degree in fields such as coastal management, marine technology or maritime law.

All of our oceanography programmes are accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

In your third year, you can gain your own teaching skills by taking a placement in a school or college with the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme. 

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to: 

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

You'll be responsible for paying certain costs not covered by the tuition fee. These include:

• some field trip costs
• personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
• books that are not available in the library
• equipment and materials used in projects
• costs related to modules from different courses

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations 

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: F700
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000