About Physical Oceanography Msc in Bangor University

The MSc in Physical Oceanography at the University of Bangor, which has received NERC funding since 1965, meets a critical skills need in the UK for modellers and numerate environmental scientists."
NERC 4 Feb 2011

"The School of Ocean Science at Bangor... is generally regarded as the best institute in Europe for physical oceanography."
New Scientist 22nd October 2008

This 12 month taught postgraduate course introduces students with a first degree in the physical, mathematical or other numerate sciences to the subject of Physical Oceanography. The course has run for over 40 years and is unique in the UK for the depth of physical oceanography training provided. As well as giving an overview of physical oceanography, the course enable students to study in detail those aspects of the subject for which they have particular interest.

Course Objectives

1. Provide a thorough training in the theory and application of physical oceanography.
2. Familiarize the student with modern oceanographic instrumentation and observational techniques.
3. Introduce state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics, data analysis and fundamental modelling methods.
4. Provide the student with the practical experience and physical understanding necessary to address significant problems in the coastal ocean environment.

Careers and Employability

This course has run for over 40 years and past students have gone on to become Nobel Laureates, directors of the main UK Oceanographic laboratories and managing directors of major commercial oceanographic companies. Many hold posts in the marine industries, particularly in consultancy companies that provide services in oceanography to the oil industry and companies concerned with engineering operations in shelf seas. There are opportunities in Government Laboratories and agencies with responsibility for estuarine and coastal waters. Many graduates have continued to higher degrees and an academic career.

Recent figures show that 50% of MSc APO students have proceeded to a PhD, whilst 20% went straight into jobs in commercial oceanography and a further 10% oceanography related jobs in the public sectors.

Some of the leading academics would have studied the Physical Oceanography MSc at Bangor:
Prof Stefan Romstorf (IPCC member and Nobel Laureate), Prof Edward Hill (Director of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton), Drs Jonathan Sharples and Alex Souza (Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Liverpool), Drs Bob Marsh and Kate Stansfield (Southampton University), Dr Stuart Cunningham (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton), Drs Patrick Hyder and John Siddorn (Met Office), Dr Tim O'Hare (Plymouth University), Icarus Allen (Plymouth Marine Laboratory).

Leading Oceanographers in the commerical world who studied Physical Oceanography MSc at Bangor include:

• Kevin Deeming (MD METOC plc)
• Rick Lailey (WNI Science & Engineering, W. Australia)
• Hugh Agnew (Yeoman Marine Ltd)
• Robin Stephens (Fugro GEOS UK)

Others major employers of Bangor MSc PO graduates include Fugro GEOS, EXXON, Shell and GeoLab BV.

* These figures are based on the 51 students who started the MSc Applied Physical Oceanography between 2000 and 2006.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Bachelor degree minimum 2nd Class division or equivalent.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: Academic 6.0 or 6.5 This must include a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
• PTE: 56 (51) - 62(58).

Bangor University Highlights

Bangor University Cost of Attendance

Bangor University Tuition Fee

Fee for the available programs varies for different courses as per their level and type. Tuition fee for some of the popular courses has been compiled as follows:

Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Courses (2020 intake)

Cost of living

International students are highly advised to have an idea of the expenses required to survive in a foreign land. While it is difficult to reveal an exact amount required, a rough estimated amount required for accommodation, travel and stay for aspirants looking to study in the UK is around 900 to 1100 GBP, per month for a single student living in Bangor. 

A detailed list of expenses would look something like as has been tabulated below: