Over 70 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered by seawater and all known phyla are believed to have originated in the sea or have marine representatives. The world's oceans influence our weather and climate and provide a large proportion of the resources used by humans. Our Marine Biology degrees span this multidisciplinary field, by linking biology with oceanography to learn how life on Earth affects, and is affected by, marine processes. Areas of marine expertise at Queen's range from the evolution of marine flora and fauna, invasive species, community ecology and climate change to the migration and foraging ecology of marine vertebrates such as basking sharks and sea turtles. We are ideally located for the study of marine biology, with close access to diverse habitats, from estuaries and mudflats to rocky shores and the Atlantic Ocean. The Queen's University Marine Laboratory is our research centre for interdisciplinary marine sciences, located 30 miles from the main campus, in the Strangford Lough Marine Nature Reserve, on a site we share with the Northern Ireland aquarium, Exploris. All students take at least one residential field course each year at the Laboratory, and have the opportunity to pursue an independent research project for their Honours thesis in their final year.
A Level: {'start': ['B', 'B', 'B', None], 'end': ['A', 'B', 'B', None]} | A-level Biology or Double Award Science required. A-level General Studies and Critical Thinking are normally excluded from offers. However, the grade achieved may be taken into account when results are published in August and may be used in a tie-break situation. | Access to HE Diploma | Access to HE Diploma | Access to HE Diploma | Access to HE Diploma must contain sufficient relevant modules in Biology and Chemistry. Contact the Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk) for advice. Successful completion of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 60 credits is required, including 45 credits at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2. | Scottish Advanced Higher: {'start': ['B', 'B', 'B', None], 'end': ['A', 'B', 'B', None]} | Advanced Higher Biology required. Offers are normally made on the basis of a combination of Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers. | Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) | Successful completion of QCF Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits), with overall grades DDD. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | 6,5,5 to include Higher Level Biology. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) | National Extended Diploma must be relevant, ie Applied Science Successful completion of RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)), with overall grades DDD. Applicants must have Distinction grades in four specified units to include: Principles of Applied Science I Principles of Applied Science II and two from the following: Biological Molecules & Metabolic Pathways Genetics & Genetic Engineering Diseases and Infections Microbiology & Microbiological Techniques | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): {'start': ['H3', 'H3', 'H3', 'H3', 'H4', 'H4'], 'end': ['H3', 'H3', 'H3', 'H3', 'H3', 'H3']} | To include Higher Level grade H3 in Biology. If not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Chemistry, English and Mathematics.
The tuition fees quoted above are the 2026/27 fees and will be updated when the new fees are known. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further information on Fees and Funding can be found at: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance/. — QUB Fees for 2027/28 Entry (Lab based)
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