Undergraduate

Marine Science (Extended Major)

This extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the Marine Biology and Coastal Processes majors.
80
ATAR
3
Years Full Time

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

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

Careers and further study

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

Career Pathways

You might pursue career opportunities in the following areas:

  • 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

You might pursue career opportunities in the following areas:

  • 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

Fees and scholarships

Fees for this course are currently being finalised, refer back to this page in the coming weeks as more information will be made available then.

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 your desired course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

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.

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.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$46,600.00
2025
$49,200.00

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Prerequisites

This major requires:

  • Mathematics Methods ATAR; OR
  • Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year; OR
  • Students without ATAR mathematics to take two mathematics units in their first year.

  • Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

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

How to apply

Group of smiling students wearing UWA shirts 

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 extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the Marine Biology and Coastal Processes majors. 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.  

About the course

This extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the marine biology and coastal processes majors. 
Marine Science (Extended Major)

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-MARDM
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BMarSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Marine Science (Extended Major)
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-MARDM
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BMarSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Why study this course

  • UWA is ranked 45th in the world in Earth and Marine Sciences (QS 2024) and has 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
  • This interdisciplinary major provides students with the knowledge required to develop solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments

You'll learn to

  • Demonstrate a profound understanding of the theoretical basis of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics in animals, plants and microorganisms
  • Gain technical competency and practical skills to master state-of-the-art molecular techniques
  • Develop and demonstrate your skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation
Ranked 4th in Australia and 45th in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2024)

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Student Story

Ashley Marino

Student Story
Ashley Marino
Alumni Story

Asha de Vos

Alumni Story
Asha de Vos

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

Ranked 1st in Australia and 32nd in the world for Biological Sciences (gras 2023)
Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre

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

Centre
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.

Institute
Research

Research aims to preserve the future of Ningaloo Reef corals

Researchers scuba diving and taking samples of corals at Ningaloo Reef