TEF Gold Undergraduate course

BSc (Hons)

Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year

Expand your knowledge of the oceans with BSc (Hons) Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year. If your current qualifications don’t allow you direct entry to degree level or if you have been out of formal education for some time, this course is for you.

Our typical offer

32 UCAS points

Learn in Britain's Ocean City

You'll be using our advanced equipment and research vessels at our landmark Marine Station for practical data collection, gaining sought-after experience in Plymouth's coastal environment.

Fieldwork from week one

Participate in field trips to coastal and offshore locations, gain hands-on experience in real-world environments and apply your skills to study marine and oceanographic processes.

Focus on global challenges

Work on projects addressing climate change, ocean health, and sustainable marine management, playing your part in making a difference to our marine world.
BSc (Hons) Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year
About Details Experience Careers Fees and funding Apply Register for open day

About

Focus on how physical oceanographic processes drive climate change, shape human use of the marine environment, and control the behaviour of organisms living both above and below the sea surface.
Develop your fundamental knowledge of the physical processes controlling the marine environment, and your practical skills in using the tools for observing and understanding them, including:
  • the industry-standard instrumentation used to measure water properties and currents
  • the ability to operate from vessels, improving your employability for marine-based careers
  • research skills that will enable you to operate independently in the marine environment throughout your career
  • developing a breadth of knowledge that can be applied to range of related disciplines including marine conservation, marine management, and resource assessment for the offshore sector.
Ocean Science students on board Falcon Spirit

What is a foundation year?

A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
 
Why choose a degree with a foundation year?
  • To build your confidence to study at university level.
  • To gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree.
  • Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree.
  • You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for.
  • You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you.
  • You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like.
 
 
 

This course is for you if...

you're passionate about understanding the physical processes that govern our oceans
Lighthouse
you enjoy hands-on learning in both laboratory and field settings
Ocean with three arrows above
you're eager to develop skills in data collection and analysis using advanced oceanographic instruments
Magnifying glass looking at earth
you aspire to contribute to effective management and conservation strategies for marine environments
Ocean pollution - bottle and dead fish in sea

Details

Foundation year

This foundation year combines subject-specific learning in biology with core scientific skills in mathematics, statistics, and chemistry – providing the essential preparation for studying science at degree level. Alongside this, you’ll learn how to study at university level – gaining the academic skills, confidence, and knowledge to thrive in your chosen degree and take your first steps towards a career as a science professional.
Students benefit from a supportive learning environment, with access to personal tutor as well as wider university support services. These include the SUM:UP service for mathematics and statistics, the Charles Seale-Hayne Library , and the Learning Development team. Our support is designed to be flexible and responsive, recognising that students may require different types and levels of guidance throughout their studies.
Students on the BSc Ocean Science mobilised the Falcon Spirit for a vessel mounted ADCP (acoustic Doppler current profiler) survey using state of the art oceanographic equipment provided by Nortek, a leader in the manufacture of oceanographic instrumentation.

Core modules

FYM001
Becoming a Successful Global Scientist 30 credits

This module will introduce learners to some of the major global environmental challenges facing society today and how science has a role in tackling them. It will help enable learners to adapt to the Higher Education Learning Environment by the development of a more independent, reflective and self-managed approach to study, learning, scientific writing, time management and mathematical skills for the study of science.

50% Coursework

50% Tests

FYM003
Introduction to Our Natural World 30 credits

This module introduces students to the study of natural sciences and their fundamental importance as cornerstones of modern science. No prior knowledge is required or assumed. Emphasis is placed on building knowledge and understanding of core principles, in the context of a range of key contemporary issues. Hands-on learning experiences are included to support the development of practical skills.

50% Examinations

50% Tests

FYM005
Exploring the Drivers of Our Natural World 30 credits

This module builds on the core ideas introduced in its partner module in the first semester, introducing a range of additional biological and marine concepts. There will be a strong emphasis on applying scientific principles to a wide range of topics in biology.

50% Examinations

50% Tests

FYM006
Sustainable Development Project 30 credits

This module will introduce the learners to group work. As part of a group, they will investigate one of the global environmental challenges facing society today. Each global environmental challenge will be investigated through its impact(s) in and around SW England. The learners will be guided in their investigation and present their findings at an end of year conference. This will be followed by an individual reflection upon the group work process.

50% Practicals

50% Tests

Progression routes

Upon successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress onto Year 1 of one of the following three undergraduate degrees. Our degrees are built around experiential learning using our fleet of research vessels and coastal marine station.

First year marine science students fieldwork trip on board university boat Falcon Spirit.
BSc (Hons) Ocean Science
Includes an oceanography focused module, a practical oceanography skills-based module and multiple boat work sessions. Field trips have included the Maldives and Isles of Scilly.
Students on a field trip to Kingsand beach
BSc (Hons) Ocean Exploration and Surveying
Includes a seafloor mapping focused module, a practical hydrographic survey skills-based module and multiple boat work sessions. Field trips have included the Maldives and Isles of Scilly.
Assessing coastal vulnerability of Drakes Island - Emilie Warren
BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation
Includes specialised teaching in marine ecology, conservation field sampling and research methods. Field trips have included the Bahamas, Bali and Isles of Scilly.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Experience

Develop your practical skills ready for the workplace

We are unrivalled in offering hands-on training opportunities in the field with the aim of producing highly-skilled, employable graduates. Throughout the course, you’ll gain extensive experience in preparing, deploying, and maintaining state-of-the-art oceanographic instruments, with the focus on developing your independence to conduct surveys in the field, either ashore or from our research vessels.

Featured module: Researching the Marine Environment

The culmination of your field-based training at the end of the second year, you will be based at the Marine Station for a month. You’ll be taught everything you need to conduct scientific surveys using industry-standard equipment on your own. In addition to learning how the equipment works, you will be trained to prepare and program it ready for data acquisition before going to sea to deploy it. You will then recover the equipment, and the data collected before processing and analysing it using scientific software – an invaluable capability when it comes to finding employment.
Not only will this experience stand you in good stead for the residential field weeks during the following semester and your research project, but it will also be an invaluable capability when it comes to finding employment after your degree.
OS206 fieldwork

The purpose of this module is to give the students the practical skills which are necessary and invaluable in the workplace. The overall aim is to prepare the students not just to deploy equipment but to prepare it throughout the whole process of collecting the data and then taking the data from the instrument that we've deployed and analysing the output in the lab.

Philip HosegoodDr Philip Hosegood
Associate Professor in Physical Oceanography

Integrate scientific diving into your degree pathway

At Plymouth, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain the HSE Professional SCUBA certification alongside your degree.
The course is an intensive four week programme designed to prepare candidates for undertaking media, scientific and archaeological diving projects. 
Students with HSE SCUBA can request to dive as part of their dissertation projects where the collection of underwater data is required. 
2 divers in the sea with a flag and boat
 
 
 

Participate in our field trips

Fieldwork presents opportunities to apply your knowledge to different environments, and to consolidate your practical skills. You will get the opportunity to use industry-standard equipment and perform scientific research techniques. 
Optional field trip locations (including scientific diving) have included the Isles of Scilly and the Maldives.

Going on the residential field trip was one of the highlights of my undergraduate degree. Learning how to deploy instruments and process data and running up and down the beach ... I felt like a real scientist in the field! I wouldn't hesitate to encourage students to go!

Isabel, BSc (Hons) Ocean Science

Residential Isles of Scilly field trip

Isles of Scilly - Oceanography and Coastal Processes
Isles of Scilly - Oceanography and Coastal Processes
Isles of Scilly - Oceanography and Coastal Processes
Isles of Scilly - Oceanography and Coastal Processes
Isles of Scilly - Oceanography and Coastal Processes

Maldives field trip

The Maldives field trip was amazing from start to finish. It was fantastic to take samples on the most perfect, untouched remote tropical islands, working in the warmest crystal blue water every day and among stunning palm-fringed atoll islands. It was just a totally different and dynamic environment to work in. I was challenged to learn as much as possible during the week and found the module super absorbing.

Student Helen Green took part in the Maldives residential field trip during her third-year optional module, collecting pilot data for a multi-group collaborative project.
 

Final-year project

The final-year project is a significant piece of independent, research-based work, designed by you and supported by academic staff acting as project advisors. You're encouraged to develop your own project idea within the year two research skills module and wherever possible, projects have a practical component – such as collecting new data through field or laboratory work, or analysis of existing datasets.
During project fieldwork, you will have access to our wide range of instrumentation and boats. If you've taken the relevant modules, you may even base your project on scientific diving. Building on the skills modules embedded during years 1 and 2, you will be able to plan and execute your field work with a large degree of independence. You will be encouraged to develop your own ideas, with guidance from academic staff available as needed.
Divers returning from a dive - Oceanography and Coastal Processes
 
 
 

Research-informed teaching

Throughout your course, you'll be taught by academics who are engaged in a wide range of research and also have the chance to conduct your honours project with a research active supervisor. You'll have the opportunity to be part of research projects in the latest advances in marine science.
Dr Philip Hosegood Associate Professor in Physical Oceanography


Associate Professor in Physical Oceanography

Programme lead
Dr Nieves Valiente Lecturer in Marine Science (Coastal Processes)


Lecturer in Marine Science (Coastal Processes)

Dr Sarah Bass Lecturer in Marine Physical Science


Lecturer in Marine Physical Science

Show all
 

Waterfront campus

Explore marine life in its natural habitat along the stunning and diverse Devon and Cornwall coastline, including the South Devon coast, identified as the area of highest marine biodiversity in the UK.
Plymouth is a hub for activity for the study of marine life. An incredible concentration of internationally-renowned marine scientists, across several international organisations in the region, provides excellent opportunities for research and volunteering.

With regards to marine science, the facilities, equipment, and fleet are without comparison anywhere in the country. Plymouth, with sea to the south and Dartmoor to the north, is a great place to be.

Paul Aldersley, BSc (Hons) Ocean Exploration graduate
Plymouth Sound on a sunny day
Plymouth Sound.
Exploring rocky shores on the South Devon coast
Exploring the shoreline on the South Devon coast.
Students on the Falcon Spirit boat in Plymouth Sound
Falcon Spirit, just one of our vessels.
 

Marine Station 

Our students have access to the Marine Station, a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility that serves all our marine-based courses including civil engineering, earth sciences and marine biology. 
Situated on the shores of Plymouth Sound as part of our ‘Waterfront Campus’, the facility offers labs and classrooms extending out into the natural environment, a wet lab for sample examination and analysis, a seawater aquarium, field equipment storage and changing facilities. It is also the base for our research vessels and a centre of excellence for diving. 
 
Marine Station

Meet our school technical staff  

Our technical staff are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories, workshops, and the field. 
 
 
 

Enrich your studies – join a student society

If you're passionate about the ocean and the wonderful marine world we find beneath the surface, then join the . Throughout the year, we provide access to exclusive events, activities and fun; with a focus on academic talks, outdoor adventures and society socials.
|
Whether you’re an experienced diver or brand new to the sport, everyone is welcome to join the vibrant . We work closely with Indeep, our affiliated dive centre, to ensure we offer the best diving experiences possible. Explore local wrecks and reefs during our monthly dives, open to anyone with Advanced Open Water certification or higher (maximum depth: 30m).
|
Students training for HSE Professional SCUBA diving certification alongside their degree. Quarry dive.
 
 
 

Life in Plymouth

Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
 

The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.

Jenna
Current student

Students sitting on the Barbican
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Accommodation halls internal
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene

Careers

“I have always been fascinated by the ocean and the power it holds. As a child, and still now, I enjoy being out in or on the water ... I wanted to learn more about the ocean, the waves, tides and the processes within that cannot be seen by the human eye. I was interested in the way the sea interacts with land and causes our beaches and cliffs to erode. I chose to study at Plymouth because it offered me the opportunity to pursue my passion.”
Miranda Soskin, BSc (Hons) Oceanography and Coastal Processes, out in the field completing research work on Seaton beach, Cornwall.
Progress into work in oceanographic research and consultancy, coastal zone management and related marine-science industries such as the emerging field of marine renewable energy. A defining feature of our suite of courses is the focus on developing skills that enhance the employability of our students.
We actively engage with local companies as well as international professional bodies to facilitate your development of industry-aligned knowledge and skills.
Progression into industry:
  • Meteorological Office
  • oceanographic consultancy
  • postgraduate research
  • coastal management agencies
  • offshore renewable energy.

  • ]97% of graduates are in work or further study

  • >88% of our graduates said their current activity is meaningful

  • [94% of graduates say their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

As an employer, we really like people who have had at least some exposure to preparing equipment, deploying it and understanding the many risks that are involved. This course provides that and we have employed people from this course in the past.

Peter Wilson, Director of Partrac.
Students on the BSc Ocean Science mobilised the Falcon Spirit for a vessel mounted ADCP (acoustic Doppler current profiler) survey using state of the art oceanographic equipment provided by Nortek.
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

 
 
 
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in 2025-2026 or
 2026-2027.
Full-time study
£9,535 per year
Part-time study
£795 per 10 credits
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
 
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
 
 
 

Tuition fee price changes
In November 2024, the UK Government announced an increase to tuition fees and maintenance support for 2025/26 academic year, setting the standard tuition fee and student maintenance loan at £9,535 per year and the University’s tuition fees were increased to this rate.
The UK Government has indicated that further fee increases may be announced this year and in subsequent years. If the UK Government does so, the University may increase annual tuition fees in subsequent years, which may include the fees for the 2026/2027 academic year, in line with the Student Contract and all times in line with the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government. More information about  fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year.
Full-time study
£18,650 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,905
 
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,430
 
 
 
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
To be confirmed
 
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
To be confirmed
 

Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and costs of studying .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fund your studies

As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
 

TOTUS student scholarship

With thanks to TOTUS Engineering, we are able to provide one scholarship a year to a student who is intending to study one of our undergraduate Biological Science, Marine Biology or Ocean Science degrees and fulfils at least one of the required criteria.
The recipient will receive £500 per year for the three years of their undergraduate course (excluding placement year) to help with their studies.
Find out more and apply
At the beginning of their second year, Marine Biology students go on an experimental field course to Portugal, resized
 
 

Supporting students with the cost of living

The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
 
Careers Hub

Apply

 
 
 
 
 
 

Entry requirements

Our typical offer
32 UCAS points

You may be eligible for a contextual offer

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

GCSE
Must have Grade C / 4  at GCSE Maths and English.

A levels
32 points from minimum of 2 A levels, including Grade C in at least one relevant science subject: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics. Computer Science, Design and Technology, Electronics, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Marine Science, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics. Excluding General Studies.

BTEC National Diploma modules
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM – DDM in a relevant science subject.
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

All Access courses
Pass Access (Science) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction in a relevant Science subject. If not science related Access please contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

T level
Merit – any 3 science pathways, plus GCSE Maths grade 4/C or above.

International Baccalaureate
28–30 overall to include at least one relevant science subject.

Extended entry requirements

To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification. 
 

Ready to apply?

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
 
UCAS course code
F735
Institution code
P60
Duration

4 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
    •  

    Entry requirements

    We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
     
    Our typical offer
    32 UCAS points
     
     

    BSearch entry requirements for your country

    5

    English language requirements

    To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification. 
     

    Ready to apply?

    As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
     
  • Find an agent
    • UCAS course code
    F735
    Institution code
    P60
    Duration

    4 years
    (+ optional placement)
    Course type

    Full-time
    Study location
    Plymouth
     
     
     

    Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day

    Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
     
    Book your place
    Man sitting outside with surrounded by friends
     
     
     
    *These are the latest results from the National Student Survey. Please note that the data published on is updated annually in September.