Ocean and Geophysics BSc (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

This degree focuses on the role of the oceans in the Earth system and their influence on climate; past, present and future. The first two years aim at developing a general understanding of the Earth system and the role of the oceans within that system. There is particular focus on the roles of the shallow seas, which surround the continents, and on interactions between ice and the oceans. In the third year you will then specialise with modules including computer modelling of the ocean and a geophysical residential field work. This course therefore places a particular emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge of direct relevance to industry, particularly in relation to issues such as future climate change, sea level rise, marine pollution and exploitation of marine renewable energy. You will be able to investigate practical aspects of physical oceanography through computer modelling, laboratory experiments and fieldwork, which includes a programme on our research ship.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?     

• World-leading research and teaching spanning 50+ years. Our expertise covers all aspects of marine science, with research interests spanning tropical coral reefs to the polar oceans. 
• Local fieldwork takes place in the UNESCO designated GeoMôn geopark, Snowdonia National Park, the Menai Strait and the Irish Sea.
• Facilities include a research ship, supercomputers, state-of-the art survey equipment and oceanographic moorings for data collection.
• We share our site with Marine Centre Wales, providing direct links with industry, and those involved with marine renewables, providing opportunities for you to undertake projects with industry.

Additional Course Options

This course involves around 25 – 35 hours per week of lectures, practicals in the laboratory and the field, private study, tutorials and project work. You will also complete literature reviews, exercises, essays, practical and fieldwork write-ups, present and attend seminars and do much reading. In your third year you will work on a dissertation which will be individually supervised by an academic member of staff with the expertise relevant to your project. Your project may take the form of the development and application of numerical models for making predictions of, for example, ocean currents, or the analysis of data. Our assessment methods vary – most modules combine elements of continuous assessment and formal exam.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Ocean and Geophysics BSc (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

This course is ideal preparation for careers, in both industry and academia, associated with marine renewables, climate change research, offshore survey, coastal zone management and broadcast media, where the ability to collect and analyse and animate large numerical data sets using computers and computer graphics is in high demand.

We have a strong record of employability supported by a large Alumni network, which contains many of the leaders of the UK’s offshore industry including marine renewable energy. Many of our graduates return regularly to talk to current undergraduates about career prospects. Alumni also offer direct and personal career advice on request by individual students.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Geological Oceanography (with Foundation Year).