Undergraduate + Postgraduate

Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science

Gain specialised knowledge of marine life and a solid understanding of the physical processes across our coastal marine environments.
90
ATAR
4
Years Full Time
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Email

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Graduates can find a range of employment opportunities in areas such as:

  • Marine environmental consulting
  • State and local governments who manage coastal planning and infrastructure
  • Government agencies that manage fisheries (e.g. DPRID), marine conservation (e.g. DBCA) or lead marine research projects (e.g. CSIRO,AIMS, Geoscience Australia)
  • Resource industry
  • Marine industry
  • Marine Renewables
  • Aquaculture
  • NGOs
  • Academia
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Career Pathways

Graduates can find a range of employment opportunities in areas such as:

  • Marine environmental consulting
  • State and local governments who manage coastal planning and infrastructure
  • Government agencies that manage fisheries (e.g. DPRID), marine conservation (e.g. DBCA) or lead marine research projects (e.g. CSIRO,AIMS, Geoscience Australia)
  • Resource industry
  • Marine industry
  • Marine Renewables
  • Aquaculture
  • NGOs
  • Academia
Postgraduate study at UWA

Master of Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Science

Experience an interdisciplinary approach to Environmental Science with a specialisation in Environmental Management, Marine and Coastal, Catchments and Water, Environmental Rehabilitation, Sensing and Environmental Data or Environmental Economics.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$46,900.00
2025
$49,500.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 86
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 308
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 344
Trinity College Foundation
  • 338
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 74
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 70
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 90
Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 86
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 308
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 344
Trinity College Foundation
  • 338
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 74
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 70
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 90
View full details

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Admission requirements

Mathematics requirement

This major requires a certain level of Chemistry and Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you can take additional Chemistry and/or Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.

WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

Mathematics requirement

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

This Combined Bachelor's and Master's (CBM) is a four-year accelerated program for those with an ATAR of 90 or above. Over the first three years you’ll complete an extended major in Marine Science, and a semester of postgraduate study. You can then choose to exit after three years with an Advanced Bachelor's Degree in Marine Science, or continue with a final year of postgraduate study and be awarded a Bachelor of Marine Science and a Master of Environmental Science at the end of the four years.

About the course

This course offers the full breadth of the marine science discipline, combining knowledge of marine life with a solid understanding of the physical environment across all levels of biological organisation. You will learn about the complex interactions that occur in marine ecosystems and how to manage these systems in a changing world through lectures, laboratory exercises and field excursions.

Western Australia's coastline is a biodiversity hotspot with up to 80 per cent of marine life found nowhere else in the world, making it the ideal living laboratory for your studies.

View full details

About the course

By completing this Combined Bachelor's and Master's course you will graduate with both a Bachelor of Marine Science and a Master of Environmental Science.

In your first three years you will complete the Marine Science Extended Major where you will gain an understanding of how our coastal and marine environments operate enabling you to apply this knowledge to ensure coastal communities and marine ecosystems remain resilient in the future. Learn about the processes that drive coastal changes, the importance of ocean currents in determining our sea level and climate, the links and feedbacks between physical and biological processes, and about strategies to manage the coast as a resource for all. You will also complete a semester of postgraduate study.

In the fourth year you will complete a final year of postgraduate study in the Master of Environmental Science. The master's component of the course provides the knowledge and practical skills for the management of marine and coastal environments by covering interdisciplinary content spanning physical and biological sciences, through to policy and regulatory frameworks. You will learn the threats and hazards facing coastal systems, and the principles of conservation and management of nearshore resources, including marine protected areas. Focus is given to learning adaptation measures for coastal protection and sustainable aquaculture.


If you decide not to continue in the CBM you can exit after three years with a Bachelor of Marine Science (Advanced). Note that the Advanced Bachelor Degree is available only as a CBM exit award. It is not offered for direct enrolment and is not awarded on completion of the CBM. 
Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Level of study
  • Undergraduate + Postgraduate
Course Code
  • CM011
CRICOS code
  • 102874A
View full details
Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1
Level of study
  • Undergraduate + Postgraduate
Course Code
  • CM011
CRICOS code
  • 102874A
Full time/part time duration
  • 4 years full time or equivalent
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Marine Science

Why study this course?

  • UWA is ranked 4th in Australia and 29th in the world for Earth and Marine Science (QS 2024)
  • UWA is ranked 3rd in the Australia and 37th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2024) 
  • We have nationally unique facilities and resources that are used across our marine studies
  • Learning is richly embedded with internationally recognised research, often led by UWA’s global experts, encouraging research-based inquiry through cutting edge science
  • Western Australia’s unique marine environment has led UWA to identify the understanding our oceans and marine environment as one of its grand challenges, and our extended major provides students with the knowledge required to develop solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments
 

Why study this course?

You'll learn to

  • Use a range of contemporary techniques and instrumentation to collect data in the field and in the laboratory
  • Analyse, synthesise and interpret data that varies in space and time
  • Interpret patterns and integrate knowledge of physical and biological processes to address real world problems

You'll learn to

 

Course structure

In your first three years, you will complete the Marine Science (extended major) and a semester of postgraduate study. You will then complete your selected specialisation in the Master of Environmental Science. Refer to the example study plan for more information.

View full details

Course structure

Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science CBM

BMarSc (Marine Science Extended Major) and Master of Environmental Science

#4ec3e0Undergraduate (UG) specific units

Elective units

Postgraduate (PG) specific units

YEAR SEMESTER UNITS
1ST YEAR 1 BIOL1130 SCOM1101 EART1105 CITS1401
2 BIOL1131 CITS2402 ENVT2221 EART2204
2ND YEAR 1 ENVT2250 GEOG2201 SCIE2204 SCIE1104
2 BIOL2204 BIOL3305 ENVT3307 ENVT3362
3RD YEAR 1 ENVT3306 SCIE3304 Elective Elective
2 PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific*
4TH YEAR 1 PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific*
2 PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific* PG Specific*

* Postgraduate units will vary depending on your chosen specialisation, a study plan will be provided later in your degree.


Unit Description

Seekers space article

A day in the life of a marine science graduate

Two scuba divers in the ocean observing a coral reef

Molly Moustaka is a UWA PhD candidate and research scientist in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Marine Science Program. Here, she shares her advice and explains what a typical day looks like in the field.

Read Seekers Space article
Seekers space article

A day in the life of a marine science graduate

Seekers space article

Hear from Marine Science graduate Ashley Marino

Person standing in shallow water holing a bucket and feeding a dolphin

Want to know where study in marine science could take you? Hear from Ashley Marino about her career path since graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science - Marine Science (now known as Bachelor of Marine Science).

Read Seekers Space article
Seekers space article

Hear from Marine Science graduate Ashley Marino

Ranked 4th in Australia and 45th in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2024)
Ranked 3rd in Australia and 37th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2024)

Fieldwork in Science

Students on a boat in Elizabeth Quay

Fieldwork in Science

Find out more about our amazing field trips in the Natural and Physical Sciences interest area that'll take you all around Western Australia and beyond.

Institute

UWA Oceans Institute

Research boat on the ocean

The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.

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Institute

UWA Oceans Institute

The Ocean Institute’s mission is to draw on our world-leading marine research to tackle issues of national and global significance. We are uniquely placed to provide ocean solutions to real-world challenges, through the breadth and depth of our marine expertise, our state-of-the-art facilities and geographic reach.

Visit the Oceans Institute website

 

Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Purpose-built collaborative facility for marine science and ocean engineering research.

View full details
Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) provides innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world's oceans. Built for the UWA Oceans Institute, the IOMRC brings together more than 300 marine scientists across disciplines including biodiversity, fishing, tourism, Indigenous engagement, climate change, oceanography and conservation.

Visit the IOMRC webpage

Your degree options