BSc in Marine Biology with Professional Studies

The oceans are a key element for the existence of life on Earth. 97% of all the water on Earth, and 99% of the habitable space on this planet, is in the ocean (source: NASA).

Marine biology is the interdisciplinary study of life in the ocean. At present, the position of marine biology graduates has never been as critical to the functioning of our society, economy, and environment. Complex issues such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change are colliding to bring about extraordinary and sometimes catastrophic changes in marine systems. As a marine biologist, you will apply cutting-edge technologies to help tackle these issues on a scale from molecules to ecosystems.

With regards to marine resources management the UK's territorial waters stretch over 6.8 million km² (over fourteen times the terrestrial landmass) and within this vast area lies the blue economy: marine renewable energy, oil, gas, fish, minerals, and rare earth metals. Sustainably managing these resources requires assessment and guidance from highly-skilled marine biologists.

Within this context, the Marine Biology degree at QUB is based on a research-led teaching format and will prepare students for a future in a diverse range of careers including marine conservation, environmental consultancy, documentary filmmaking, wildlife tourism, fisheries management, and academic study.

Marine Biology With Professional Studies Degree Highlights

Queen’s University Marine Laboratory is an excellent facility for students to undertake research and develop their marine biology research skills.

Professional Accreditations

Royal Society of Biology Accreditation

This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. This highlights the academic quality of the course and recognizes the course in enabling graduates to meet the needs of the employer through the development of technical and transferable skills.

Beyond the taught degree, all Marine Biology students have the opportunity to gain professional boating qualifications (e.g. Survival at Sea, Powerboat Level II) that increase their employability both within and outside of academia. Students are also encouraged to seek Degree Plus accreditation which showcases their extra-curricular marine experiences gathered during their degrees (via work shadowing Ph.D. students from the start of their degree, through to activities run by the QUB Marine Biology Society).

World Class Facilities

In addition to the state-of-the-art teaching facilities on the main campus, the Queen’s Marine Laboratory is on the shores of one of the most protected areas in Europe, Strangford Lough. During your degree, you will take two residential field courses at the marine lab to study marine ecosystems up close using our array of aquaria, boats, and shore-based facilities.

Around the island of Ireland, we have some of the most spectacular marine wildlife in Europe including six-gill, blue, and basking sharks, bluefin tuna, >20 species of marine mammals (from seals to humpback whales), leatherback turtles, deep-water coral reefs, and hydrothermal vents. All of these species represent core focal areas for our staff. Access to such species and environments makes QUB one of the best-located universities for the study of Marine Biology.

Student Experience

The Marine Biology degree offers an extensive program of extracurricular activities to support your scientific and personal development and enhance employability. At the end of Levels 1 and 2 students participate in a range of accredited during the university’s ‘Development Weeks’ including VHF radio handlers and First Aid at Sea certificates, biologging, and satellite tracking, baited underwater video systems, and cetacean acoustics. To enable interaction with marine students at all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study, a range of activities (e.g. talks, site visits, social events) are run by the QUB Marine Biology and Zoology Society. Marine Biology with Professional Studies students, on completion of Stage 2, undertake 46 weeks of work experience. Recent students have gained placements working on marine mammals, fisheries management, and molecular ecology (for example) at international laboratories in Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and across the island of Ireland and GB.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the Top 200 Universities in the World (QS World University Rankings 2019)

140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020)

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College Belfast, one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland, it became an independent university in 1908 and is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Today, Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred ethos.

Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity (REF 2014/ Times Higher Education) with over 75% of its research assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2014.

We’re A Global University

Students enjoy being educated by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines and a significant investment in the student experience has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction and employability rates.

Global Research Institutes

Building on its disciplinary excellence, the University has created four flagship Global Research Institutes which bring leading academics together to tackle some of the greatest global challenges of our time in the areas of: Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety.

The Faculty Of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s deliver high quality, leading-edge education, through world-class staff, focused on the needs of society. We provide an educational experience that is research-led and enriches our students intellectually, socially and culturally.

Our hope is that students from around the world will join with us to both learn and also bring new ideas and approaches to help drive forward our ambitions to enhance and advance life. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. We're proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.

Addressing Global Challenges

Through our education and research, we strive to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, our academic staff undertake world-leading research through our Schools and Global research institutes in Health Sciences and Global Food Security. This has resulted in new treatments for patients and greater levels of protection for the food we eat.

Faculty Schools

The School of Biological Sciences The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences The School of Nursing and Midwifery The School of Pharmacy