Skip to main content
A marine biology student tests the water of an aquarium in a laboratory setting.

Marine Biology - BSc Hons Degree - Topup

Summary

If the Foundation Degree in Marine Biology has inspired you to take your studies to the next level, our one-year top up programme which leads to an honours qualification, is the obvious choice. Building on your existing skills and knowledge, the top-up programme will challenge you to progress your ability to engage critically with current and past research.

You will also develop your own research skills, giving you everything you need to conduct large scale research in the field. An honours degree opens the door to postgraduate study and also means that you can apply for roles in the sector at a higher level.

The programme aims to:

  • Encourage critical engagement with the scientific literature in marine biology with a view to producing intellectual arguments, showing appreciation of different viewpoints. This will be especially relevant in the dissertation module when you will be expected to research, evaluate and write at length about an area of the curriculum of specific interest to you.
  • Develop your skills in critical evaluation of primary and secondary data in the field of marine biology, with a view to proposing further lines of enquiry.
  • Support the development of a creative approach to the design of a major scientific investigation which is  hypothesis driven, valid and reliable.
  • Produce professional graduates that are skilled and well prepared to contribute to the environmental agenda either through work or further study.
  • Course code ES1HE09
  • UCAS code C161
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Tuesday and Thursday
  • Time 09:45 - 15:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
  • £32,400 average annual salary in this sector
  • STEM assured status
  • 88,047 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

Good and comfortable with lots of help available and lots of facilities to help with learning. The teachers are very helpful and give you time to increase your skills. *****
Anonymous
The tutors went above and beyond. ****
Ashleigh Winchester
Loved it! *****
Samantha Thorpe

Student case study - Abigail

What have been the benefits of studying here?
The tutors and the facilities are incredible. The equipment is exactly like you would use in industry so it's a great introduction to lab work before you actually get into the workplace.

What are you hoping to do in the future?
I'm really interested in finding a position in lab work probably in a hospital setting. Pathology would definitely be one option as would haematology. Eventually, I'd like to head up a laboratory.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Concern for the marine environment has never been higher with luminaries like Sir David Attenborough and documentaries like Seaspiracy drawing global attention to the human impact on marine life.

As a result, employment opportunities both here and overseas have ballooned, as have those within the academic and voluntary sectors. In fact, many of our graduates have progressed onto level 7 courses, including Masters Degrees at Bangor, Lancaster, Herriot-Watt (Edinburgh) and Edge Hill Universities and also onto PGCE programmes here at B&FC and at Bangor University.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Only applicants that have successfully completed the Foundation Degree pathway in Applied Science, validated by Lancaster University, with Blackpool and The Fylde College are eligible to apply to this course.

Qualification obtained

BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology

Fees and funding

Please visit our finance page for more information on tuition fees and available financial support.

Extra costs and equipment

You will not be required to purchase any additional equipment to undertake this programme as the college has resources available to students. However, there may be some opportunities that will not be a requirement of the programme but will be available to students at an additional cost.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institute: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

  • Modules at level 6

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Dissertation ES6MD018 40 No
    Fisheries Ecology ES6MD019 20 No
    Marine Pollution ES6MD020 20 No
    Marine Research Skills ES6MD021 20 No
    Marine Megafauna ES6MD022 20 No

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Two science students in lab coats intently observing samples through microscopes in a research environment.
A table displaying various tubes, petri dishes and vials, showcasing equipment for a science course.
A woman in a lab coat holds a test tube, analyzing a chemical solution as part of her scientific studies.
Two science students in lab coats intently observing samples through microscopes in a research environment. A table displaying various tubes, petri dishes and vials, showcasing equipment for a science course. A woman in a lab coat holds a test tube, analyzing a chemical solution as part of her scientific studies.
Two science students in lab coats intently observing samples through microscopes in a research environment.
A table displaying various tubes, petri dishes and vials, showcasing equipment for a science course.
A woman in a lab coat holds a test tube, analyzing a chemical solution as part of her scientific studies.

How will I learn?

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 0 0 504
Independent 0 0 696
Placement 0 0 0
Total 0 0 1200
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

  • Human Biosciences - BSc Hons Degree - Topup

    View course
  • Applied Science (Environmental Science) - Foundation Degree

    View course
  • Applied Science (Analytical Chemistry) - Foundation Degree

    View course

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 0% 0% 66%
Exam 0% 0% 20%
Practical 0% 0% 14%