Aberystwyth University
Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons)
Aberystwyth University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 40 graduates of Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons) 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.

Overall student satisfaction
83 /100
40 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

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


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

Course Description

The BSc 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.

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.

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. This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

The taught component of the Marine and Freshwater Biology with integrated year in industry degree (C166) is identical to its three-year sister course BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology (C164). The year in industry is taken in your third year in the UK or overseas, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee. 

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 final year, currently based in Portugal and Scotland, will allow you to immerse yourself in the study of marine and freshwater biology further afield.

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. You will also be well prepared to pursue a scientific research career, continuing postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level.

Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

  • apply the learning from your course to the work environment 
  • make valuable industry contacts 
  • develop practical skills related to your area of study 
  • enrich your final year of studies with an enhanced appreciation of its applicability to your career 
  • greatly enhance your CV and increase your prospects of success in the job market. 

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.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons) at Aberystwyth University

25% Engineering professionals
15%
15% Administrative occupations
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10% Sales occupations
10% Elementary occupations
5% Finance Professionals

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
Cambridge English Advanced
Cambridge English Proficiency
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

With minimum 5.5 in each component.

PTE Academic 55

With minimum score of 51 in any component.

TOEFL (iBT) 88

With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23.

IELTS (Academic) 6.5

With minimum 5.5 in each component.

PTE Academic 55

With minimum score of 51 in any component.

TOEFL (iBT) 88

With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23.

Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers/Estranged Students and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry), BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons)

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)

University Rankings

Positions of Aberystwyth University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 26 university rankings of Aberystwyth University

About Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University (Aber) was founded in 1872 in Aberystwyth, Wales. This university has earned itself an impressive array of awards in various domains, including in teaching standards and post-graduate employability. Whether you enjoy walking by the beach or visiting the historic town centre, Aberystwyth is a superb option for those students looking for a quiet place to focus on their academic goals.

List of 383 Bachelor and Master Courses from Aberystwyth University - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Main Site (Aberystwyth)
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Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Marine and Freshwater Biology BSc (Hons) Aberystwyth University 85% 5% 10% £9000 £18830 123 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons) Aberystwyth University 83% 5% 10% £9000 £18830 114 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time Sandwich
Marine and Freshwater Biology BSc (Hons) Edinburgh Napier University - - - £9250 £17580 £19340 - Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Marine & Freshwater Biology BSc (Hons) University of Glasgow 73% 0% 0% - - 202 Glasgow On campus Full-time

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