Join one of the largest ocean science communities in Europe and address some of our biggest environmental challenges. You’ll train alongside scientists at a world-leading training centre as you conduct research both in the field and in the laboratory.
You’ll study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), our school for ocean science and marine research. Here, you’ll benefit from access to our very own research vessel, the R.V. Callisata, as well as a range of other modern technologies and facilities.
You’ll have the chance to:
This course is especially suitable if you already have a foundation in marine or Earth science. It will allow you to develop a specialism from your first degree as you build your knowledge and research skills.
A Master of Science by Research course differs from a conventional MSc in the balance between teaching and research. As an MSc by Research student, you’ll spend more time getting hands-on experience with your research project, and less time with formal teaching.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Your course lead is Dr Anna Hickman. Her work encompasses biological, physical and chemical oceanography and marine optics.
Her research focuses on marine phytoplankton. These are oceanic microbes that form the base of the marine food web and generate half of the oxygen we breathe.
This course is based at Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton).
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
You must have a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant marine or Earth science discipline.
Other backgrounds may be considered where the applicant’s background is relevant to the intended field of study. This includes areas like:
When applying, you'll also need a description of how your prior degree and existing expertise will prepare you to pursue your intended field of study. Find out how to apply.
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Your studies will run for a full 12 months. You’ll spend around two thirds of your course on your research project and the rest of your time exploring a mix of compulsory and optional subjects.
You’ll have the chance to develop specific knowledge and skills through your module choices and research project topic.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
This module deals with contemporary issues in Ocean and Earth Science. It will develop your presentation and writing skills through directed independent study of two chosen contemporary topics. The topics are provided by the module lead and associated sta...
This module provides essential key skills training to MSc by Research students in Ocean and Earth Science in SOES.
You will identify a project supervisor and discuss your ideas for a research topic, early in the first semester. Once ideas for the project have been formulated, you will commence your project toward the end of semester one and through the rest of the yea...
You must also choose from the following modules :
The module covers, at advanced level, three topics that are central to applied geophysics in the marine environment.
This module looks at the operation of the Ocean as a biogeochemical entity within the larger Earth System. There is a strong focus on how the Earth System will respond to anthropogenic impacts and global change.
Biological data science is a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of biology, statistics, and computer science. There is a growing demand for professionals skilled in analysing and interpreting data as well as an expectation that students will be fa...
This module is designed to give a fundamental understanding of the Earth's climate and use this to examine topical issues in climate change research. A hands-on approach enables you to apply your newly learned skills to real-world problems quickly.
The module will present a variety of different types of oceanographic, meteorological, geophysical, and remote sensing data and will explore methods for processing, analysing and modelling using Python. This module introduces you to the essential skill...
This module examines the patterns of life in deep-sea environments & the processes that govern those patterns.
This is a skills-based module that covers applications of seismology to geological and environmental problems.
This course is intended as a beginner’s guide to marine ecological modelling. It is suitable for students across a broad range of academic backgrounds and does not assume a high level of prior mathematical knowledge or experience in coding. The course...
The course provides a comprehensive treatment of the geophysics of the Solid Earth.
This module uses contemporary observational datasets and model output to explore large-scale ocean dynamics, variability and its influence on the climate
This module is only open to Year 3 students registered on MSci Biology and Marine Biology, BSc Biology and Marine Biology, BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography, MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography, MSci Marine Biology and BSc Marine Biology degrees. MSc ...
Prior knowledge in basic molecular biology is required
This module will cover all aspects of reproduction in marine organisms.
Understanding changes in sea level is of the utmost importance, as it: (1) shapes the coastlines; (2) affects the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people living in the world’s coastal regions, and (3) is a key indicator of climate change. Sea-level ...
In this module students work through many of the data analysis and interpretation steps to evaluate plans for an offshore windfarm, using an example site in the east Solent. With the University of Southampton’s unique access to its own research vessel t...
You'll learn through a variety of means, including:
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
You’ll be supported by your personal academic tutor who can advise you on your career path during the programme.
As a graduate, of this Ocean and Earth Science by Research course you’ll be suitable for a wide range of careers. You could choose to work for a global corporation, a consultancy, a government agency, or a museum or university.
Your specialist knowledge and transferable skills in analysis, research, independent problem-solving and teamwork will make you ideally suited for roles like:
The emphasis on independent project work is also ideal experience for a PhD or other research-based roles.
Specialist careers advice is available through our careers and employability service.
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Ocean and Earth Science.
Find out more about Southampton Ocean and Earth Science Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
The Society for Underwater Technology’s Educational Support Fund offers sponsorship awards to high calibre undergraduate and postgraduate students embracing at least one relevant component area of marine science, underwater technology or offshore engineering. Find out more about the funding by visiting our website.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
You'll also need to submit two references, one academic reference and one academic or professional reference.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
