Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol
Aberystwyth University
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 40 graduates of Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol and other courses in Ecology and Environmental Biology at Aberystwyth University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Ecology and Environmental Biology.
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Ecology and Environmental Biology courses of Aberystwyth University
Salary
Salary of Graduates in Biosciences
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Ecology and Environmental Biology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £23000 | £19500 | £23000 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £19000 - £27500 | £16000 - £22500 | £18000 - £28500 |
All Biosciences courses of Aberystwyth University
Salary of all UK Graduates of Biosciences
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £21866 | £19488 | £23462 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £18953 - £24799 | £15277 - £24087 | £18263 - £28993 |
All Biosciences Courses in the UK
Course Description
The MBiol Marine and Freshwater Biology degree at Aberystwyth University is one of only a few nationally to provide you with an integrated catchment to ocean understanding of the biology, ecology and stressors affecting these intimately interconnected ecosystems. This is crucial, given that they support some of the most threatened species and habitats on the planet.
This four-year Integrated Masters offers you the opportunity to combine a BSc with an extra year of study so that you graduate with a Masters-level qualification. The course will develop the breadth and depth of your knowledge of marine and freshwater biology and prepare you to be a subject specialist, with the ability to tackle the global marine and freshwater challenges we face.
Situated on the coast of Cardigan Bay, Aberystwyth is one of the best places in the UK to study marine and freshwater biology. You will have easy access to rocky and sandy shores, estuaries of conservation importance, as well as near-pristine rivers and lakes. Cardigan Bay is also home to the largest residential population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK.
The first three years of the course will follow the same syllabus as BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology (C164), which is then followed by an additional year of study, after which you will graduate with a Masters-level qualification. This course has attained advanced accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.
On this course you will develop practical skills in the sampling techniques used in the aquatic environment, the critical analysis of data and literature, and the presentation of your findings to a variety of stakeholders. This will ensure you are well prepared for professional roles that seek to understand and address the various challenges facing marine and freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
To support your learning, you will have access to two research vessels enabling you to gain real hands-on experience of the sampling techniques used by professional marine and freshwater biologists as well as use of our aquarium systems for experimental studies of marine and freshwater organisms.
Fieldwork and practical classes form an integral part of the course throughout. An optional residential two-centre field course in your third year, currently based in Portugal and Scotland, will allow you to immerse yourself in the study of marine and freshwater biology further afield.
The Integrated Masters degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology is designed to develop the breadth and depth of your knowledge, along with the competence and confidence in research methods required to pursue a career as a professional scientist. Marine and Freshwater Biology graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of careers including ecological consultancy, environmental management and conservation, teaching and scientific journalism. The MBiol is also a recognised alternative to MSc for progression to a PhD studentship, and an excellent foundation for a career as a professional scientist.
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
All Ecology and Environmental Biology courses of Aberystwyth University
Current jobs
All courses of Aberystwyth University
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Ecology and Environmental Biology courses of Aberystwyth University
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol at Aberystwyth University
| 25% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 15% | Caring personal services |
| 15% | Administrative occupations |
| 10% | Welfare and housing associate professionals |
| 10% | Secretarial and related occupations |
| 10% | Design occupations |
| 10% | Skilled trades occupations |
| 5% | Business and public service associate professionals |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
To include a B in A-level Biology/Human Biology.
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Ecology and Environmental Biology
All Ecology and Environmental Biology courses of Aberystwyth University
Qualification requirements
Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)
31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.
Applicants are selected on their individual merits and offers can vary. We allow you flexibility in meeting our entry requirements, and all qualifications that you have already gained, or are working towards, will be considered when reviewing your application.
We have an inclusive policy which recognises a broad range of qualifications. The entry requirements listed above represent typical offers for some of the most popular qualifications taken by applicants.
If you cannot find the qualifications that you are studying (or have previously studied) please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office (Telephone: +44 (0)1970 622021; Email: [email protected]) for advice on your eligibility and details of the typical offer you are likely to receive.
English language requirements
| test | Grade |
|---|---|
| Cambridge English Advanced | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 55 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 55 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 |
Costs
Tuition Fees Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol
| England UK | £9000 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9000 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £9000 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9000 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9000 | year 1 |
| Ireland | £9000 | year 1 |
| EU | £18830 | year 1 |
| International | £18830 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
The UK and Welsh Governments have confirmed that EU students commencing their studies in the academic year 2021/22 will no longer be eligible for home fee status. Fees for EU students will therefore be charged in line with international fees from 2021/22 onwards.
Please note Irish nationals will continue to be eligible for home fee status and support by the Welsh Government under the Common Travel Area arrangement
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
UCAS application code:
C169
University Rankings
of Aberystwyth University
among 17 universities in Wales
based on 27 different rankings
Positions of Aberystwyth University in top UK and global rankings.
See all 27 university rankings of Aberystwyth University
About Aberystwyth University
List of 383 Bachelor and Master Courses from Aberystwyth University - Course Catalogue
Where is this programme taught
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Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol | Aberystwyth University | 89% | 5% | 5% | £9000 | £18830 | 129 | Aberystwyth |
On campus
Full-time
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FAQ about Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol Aberystwyth University
- Tuition fees for this programme are 9000 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- The median salary of graduates of this course was £23000 15 months after graduation, £19500 3 years after graduation and £23000 after graduation.
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals (25%), Caring personal services (15%), Administrative occupations (15%), Welfare and housing associate professionals (10%)
- 40 graduates rated the course 89. This means that 89% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. See detailed ratings above and how these compare to the averages at other universities.
- Marine and Freshwater Biology MBiol is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at Aberystwyth University.
- It is moderately difficult to get accepted into this course. The average UCAS tariff score of this course is 129 which is among the
Percentile among all Freshwater Biology students in the UK.