Ocean Exploration and Surveying BSc (Hons)

Course Overview - Ocean Exploration and Surveying BSc (Hons)

Are you looking for a career in hydrographic surveying and marine exploration industries? On this course you’ll explore offshore and environmental surveying, marine remote sensing, oceanography, underwater acoustics, digital mapping and geographical information systems. A focus on the practical application of survey technology to the marine environment gives you highly sought after skills in hydrographic surveying, mapping, measurement and visualisation of the seafloor and underlying geology.


* Ranked top 15 in the UK and top 100 globally for Earth and Marine Sciences ...

2 options available

Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.

Course Information

Study Mode

Full-time

Duration

3 Years

Start Date

15/09/2025

Campus

Main Site

Course Address
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA

Application Details

Course Code

F731

Institution Code

P60

Points of Entry

Year 1, Year 2, Year 3

Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

112

128

points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Scottish Higher

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers, Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access (Science) with at least 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction in a relevant Science subject. It is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the Access. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

28

30

To include a Grade 5 at Higher Level in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

DDM

In a relevant Science subject. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H3,H3,H3,H4,H4

H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

To include at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent at H1-H7 or O1-O4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

AS

Considered in combination

Scottish Advanced Higher

112 - 128 UCAS Tariff points including two Advanced Highers including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Extended Project

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered in combination with other qualifications. If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths)

The University of Plymouth welcomes the introduction of the Core Mathematics qualification. We believe it will provide valuable preparation for university study and would encourage its uptake and inclusion on an applicant’s UCAS form, particularly for students wishing to apply for courses that involve the use of statistical data and where a Mathematics ‘A’ level is not part of the standard offer. We are not able to accept Core Mathematics in lieu of AS or A level mathematics where this is a specified requirement for course entry.

A level

112-128 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of two A Levels including Grade C in at least one relevant Science subject. Relevant Science subjects are: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Psychology, Computer Science, Sociology, Design & Technology, Electronics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

T Level

M

Merit – any 3 science pathways, plus GCSE Maths grade 4/C or above

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Considered in combination

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