Undergraduate studies
A range of disciplines relate to the study of oceanography. The National Oceanography Centre’s hosting partners; the Universities of Southampton and Liverpool, make excellent undergraduate opportunities available through the many courses that they offer -more information on which can be found below.
The University of Southampton
The University of Southampton has a global reputation for academic excellence. We are ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the most recent (2010) Times Higher Education World University Rankings. A member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, we are one of the leading universities in the UK.
Southampton’s Ocean and Earth Science degree programmes are taught at our Waterfront Campus, the prestigious National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). We have a well established reputation for our outstanding research, and offer professionally accredited degree courses in oceanography, marine biology, geology, geophysics and ocean, Earth and climate science.
We are recognised both nationally and internationally for our excellence in teaching and for providing a relaxed, informal and stimulating learning environment for students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Our challenging degree programmes are taught by academic staff who are pushing back the frontiers of scientific knowledge with their research. We also place a strong emphasis on field training, which develops key transferable skills that help our students to prepare for professional careers in a cutting edge research environment.
Our unique waterfront location overlooks the working port of Southampton, home to the great ocean liners. The city is one of the liveliest and most dynamic in the region, with superb opportunities for waterborne activities, a 24/7 social scene, cultural opportunities and one of the greenest environments within a major urban centre. The beaches of Bournemouth, the open spaces of the New Forest and the Isle of Wight are all within easy reach, making Southampton a vibrant and diverse location in which to study.
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The University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a Russell Group Institution – the original redbrick university – with a strong research focus, situated in one of the most creative and inspiring cities in the UK. Liverpool was the first UK university to have a dedicated ocean sciences department, beginning with the Liverpool University Tidal Institute in 1919. Liverpool is a vibrant city with a glorious maritime history, the iconic world heritage waterfront, a world-famous music scene, two of the premierships biggest football teams, majestic cathedrals, several museums and art galleries and a wealth of theatres, shops, restaurants, hotels and bars.
Students work on a campus well supported by libraries, state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, the Liverpool Guild of Students, and a large sports centre and pool complex. Students receive high quality teaching and learning designed to develop independent thinking and problem solving in the context of the ocean sciences. Uniquely, this includes training in industry-standard mapping and data analysis software. The Joseph Proudman building, home to NOC and the British Oceanographic Data Centre, is adjacent to the School of Environmental Sciences on the University campus. This allows student interaction with NOC scientists throughout their programme of study, with NOC scientists providing guest lectures in years 1 and 2, advanced modules in ocean sciences and research skills in later years, and offering final year projects. Each year NOC and BODC offer 12-month sandwich placements to undergraduates.
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