About Mbiol Marine And Freshwater Biology in Aberystwyth University
Oceans and freshwaters make up more than 70% of the earth’s surface. Within them is a vast and diverse range of aquatic organisms and ecosystems. By understanding them and how they interact with one another, we can understand, more clearly, the current health of Planet Earth. From the effects of climate change, through to the conservation and protection interventions that are needed.
The Integrated Masters of Marine and Freshwater Biology will explore these and many other areas of the “aquatic world”. With firm theoretical grounding and real-world practical application, this course nurtures the ingenuity of both staff and students to grow in expertise and think outside the box, to solve the global marine and fresh water challenges we face.
With a stunning coastline on our doorstep, cutting-edge learning facilities and comprehensive teaching resources, you will be well-prepared to contribute to marine and freshwater research in Aberystwyth and beyond.
This course has been awarded Interim Advanced Accreditation status. This will become Advanced Accreditation when the first cohort of students graduate from the MBiol degree courses in the summer 2018 (subject to final confirmation from the Royal Society of Biology).
If you wish to study Marine and Freshwater Biology and have career aspirations as an academic or commercial aquatic research scientist, then this exciting course may be for you. Integrated Masters schemes are four-year undergraduate degrees for students with the ability to study to a higher level than the standard BSc degree, and graduate with the Masters level qualification, MBiol (Marine and Freshwater Biology). Integrated Masters students initially study modules of the BSc degree integrated with a further year at M-level, with the opportunity to apply subject-specific knowledge to a major research project, alongside taught modules that develop essential skills required by today’s professional scientists.
Specialist opportunities at Aberystwyth for our Integrated Masters students include:
- Aquarium systems and extensive growth rooms to support aquatic organisms
- Two research vessels for hands-on experience of sampling techniques used by professional aquatic biologists
- Residential field courses in marine and freshwater biology
- Extensive research and teaching labs equipped with the latest equipment, including bioimaging facilities and high-throughput DNA sequencing.
Situated on the coast of Cardigan Bay with a hinterland rich in rivers and lakes, Aberystwyth University is the ideal location to study of Marine and Freshwater Biology. Easily accessible habitats range from mountain streams bearing trout and invertebrates, internationally important estuaries, salt marsh, beaches, reefs and a bay inhabited by a large bottlenose dolphin population. Recent M&F Biology graduates progressed to PhD training or secured jobs with the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Ribble Rivers Trust, WiseOceans, Pontus Aqua and KAUST Coral Reef Ecology Lab.
Our 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
- Scientific journalism
This degree also frequently leads to postgraduate research at PhD level or research in public agencies and fisheries labs, charitable marine conservation organisations and the commercial sector.
Academic qualification equivalents:
- We generally accept minimum 75% in year XII Std. of the Centeral Board of Secondary Education and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, in addition to the state boards of education in India.
English language requirements (one of the below):
- IELTS : 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component
- TOEFL : 88 with minimum component scores: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17.
- PTE : 55 with minimum scores of 51 in each component
Aberystwyth University Highlights
Type of Institution |
Public |
Campus Setting |
Urban |
Endowment |
£48.4 million |
Number of campuses |
Three campuses |
Number/Percentage of International Students |
18% |
Total number of Professors |
395 |
Student Satisfaction Rate |
90% |
Graduate Job Rate |
92% |
Number of Residence Vacancy |
3100 |
International Fee |
£13,200-14,750 |
Number of Academic Programmes |
Undergraduate & Postgraduate |
Mode of Programme |
Full time, online and distance learning |
Scholarship Investment |
£40,000 |
Average Graduate Salary |
£18,500 a year |
Residential Investment |
£45 million |
Aberystwyth University The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
Cost |
Amount per annum (GBP) |
Tuition fees |
13,600 – 16,800 |
Food, Laundry & Toiletries |
1,800 |
Books, Equipment & Stationery |
150 |
Social |
1,170 |
Clothing |
200 |
Travel Home |
200 |
T.V. Licence |
150.50 |
Extras |
400 |
Total |
17,670.5 – 20,870.5 |