2.5-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Science and Health - Continue to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Marine Biology

For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Marine Biology

At Essex, they take students on a journey of discovery from the poles to the tropical reef systems of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. They work on ecosystems from estuaries and coastal environments to oceanic systems, and on conservation and resource management.

Students gain an expert knowledge of marine biology through study of essential core modules and the flexibility to specialize in the areas that interest them most, including:

• The major types of marine communities, including aquatic mammals and fish • Direct and indirect human impact on the marine environment • Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove systems • Marine and freshwater taxonomy and biodiversity • Diving and snorkel-based practices

Students’ independent research project allows them to develop their own interests. Previous topics have included shellfisheries and water quality, turtle ecology in Greece and coral reef conservation strategies in the Caribbean and Indonesia.

There are numerous opportunities to go on field trips as part of this course, although please note that these may be subject to additional costs. These are provided against the relevant modules under the "Structure" tab.