About This Course
The Schools of Ocean Sciences and Biological Sciences jointly teach this specialist single honours course, which is a unique course in the UK. This degree incorporates a wide overview of marine organisms, their habitats and the food web supporting the top predators, including fishes, seabirds, reptiles, seals and whales. During the degree, the general principles of biology, marine biology and marine science will be explored, with the taxonomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology of marine vertebrates highlighted. Opportunities will be presented to consider applied aspects of zoology such as fisheries, aquaculture, conservation biology and ecotourism.
Placement Year
This course is available as a 4-year ‘with Placement Year’ option. Please apply for Marine Vertebrate Zoology with Placement Year BSc C35P. Find out more about 'with Placement Year' courses here.
The placement year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree, and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
There is also a 4-year MSci option available. In Year 4 you will carry out a substantial piece of research which forms your Year 4 dissertation.
- This course course is the only one of its kind offered by UK universities.
- Our School is one of the largest university centres teaching marine sciences in Britain and is among the biggest in Europe.
- Bangor’s location makes it an ideal place to study marine habitats, with easy access to the sea and shores. Seabird, seal and dolphin populations are resident and accessible for field study.
- Our excellent facilities include a shelf-sea research vessel, tropical marine, temperate marine and freshwater aquaria and, unusually for a British university, our own Zoology Museum.
Course Content
For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.
The course involves up to 25-35 hours per week of lectures, practicals (laboratory and fieldwork), private study, tutorials and project work. Throughout this degree we exploit our location, placing a strong emphasis on fieldwork including sea going experience. During the first two years, lectures and practicals are supplemented by regular small group (about 8 students) tutorials during which we develop your critical appraisal and science communication skills.In year 3, you will learn about marine mammal identification and survey methods, which will involve ship and/or land-based fieldwork. In the third year, you will carry out an individually supervised dissertation on a topic of your choice. Assessment is through a combination of continuous assessment and formal examination.
What will you study on this course?
Please see below.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Marine Vertebrate Zoology Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Mandatory Costs:
Suitable clothing and equipment for fieldwork will be required e.g. suitable footwear, waterproofs, rucksack. The cost of these will vary. Approximate cost: £50-£100
Appropriate stationary for any note-taking during classes e.g. notepad, pens and pencils. The cost of these will vary. Approximate cost: £20-£30. (Laboratory notebook for assessment is provided as part of the programme).
Necessarily Incurred Costs:
Materials for the preparation of academic poster for assessment. The cost and number of these will vary. Approximate cost £10-£15.
Notes:
The School of Ocean Sciences is based in Menai Bridge, c. 1.5 miles from Bangor and the halls of residence. Most classes are held on the Bangor site, but some laboratory practicals are held in Menai Bridge (typically 6-10 per semester). Travel to these are covered in Year 1, but not in subsequent years. Many walk or cycle between the venues, but some opt for public or private transport. Approximate cost if latter two options taken: £40/year.
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry and 2022/23 entry).
- The fee for all placement, international and sandwich years is £1,350 (2021/22 and 2022/23).
- More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry:
Offers are tariff based, 80 - 120 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels (including Biology and usually 1 other science subject - Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science/Studies, Economics, Psychology; excluding General Studies.)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma (including Biology).
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma in Applied Science**: MMP - DDM.
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical / Extended Diploma in Environmental Conservation or Countryside & Environmental**: MMP - DDM.
- Access to HE Science**
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted.
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma is not accepted.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
**Similar subject areas may be considered on a case by case basis.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
The course is ideal preparation for careers in research, marine resource management, conservation, environmental impact assessment, fisheries, coastal authorities, government advisory bodies, the scientific media, ecotourism and other leisure industries and pressure groups.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about the volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
