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Bachelor of Marine Science
This degree studies the oceans and the life in them, from marine biology and ecology to oceanography and coastal processes.
- How long it takes
- 3 years
- full time
- Entry ATAR
- From 50.2
- Lowest offered at Deakin University, 2026
- How you can study
- On campus
- Includes a work placement
- Taught by
- 5 providers
- 4 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Bachelor of Marine Science asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in the ocean and marine environments
- a curious mind about how natural systems work
- good skills in science and maths
- willingness to spend time outdoors doing fieldwork
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Where you can study this course
There are 5 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Griffith University (opens in a new tab)
Griffith University
Gold Coast, QLD
4.3from 1,317 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 57.85 lowest
- (65.35 median, 2026)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
- Fee
- $9,000 a year
- (Government-supported place)
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and approachable
What to weigh up
- Tutors can be slow to reply to emails
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Website for Deakin University (opens in a new tab)
Deakin University
Geelong Waurn Ponds, Warrnambool, VIC
4.4from 2,192 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 50.2 lowest
- (52.3 median, 2026)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable, supportive and knowledgeable
- Support services are helpful for students
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for James Cook University (opens in a new tab)
James Cook University
Townsville, QLD
4.3from 591 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 68.55 lowest
- (72.55 median, 2026)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
- Fee
- $8,320 a year
- (Government-supported place)
What students like
- Staff are friendly and helpful
- Support services and learning resources are useful
- Course page for University of Wollongong (opens in a new tab)
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW
4.3from 747 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 61.15 lowest
- (65.65 median, 2024)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course and assessment changes can disrupt study
- Website for The University of Western Australia (opens in a new tab)
The University of Western Australia
Crawley, WA
4.5from 1,048 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 67.35 lowest
- (80 median, 2025)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
What students like
- Staff are friendly and understand student concerns
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Bachelor of Marine Science.
- Marine biology and ecology
- Oceanography and coastal processes
- Conservation and coastal management
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Geospatial and data analysis
- Fieldwork
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?