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This page is about studying marine biology in Australia from Nepal, not in Nepal. You can start a three-year bachelor's degree in marine science or marine biology after +2, for example at Flinders University or the University of Western Australia. It explains the degree routes, the entry and English scores, a sample fee, field work, and the jobs and visa steps that follow.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- Marine biology is studied in Australia as a three-year bachelor's degree, either as a marine biology major or inside a marine science degree.
- Flinders University teaches a Bachelor of Science with marine biology on its Bedford Park campus.
- The University of Western Australia lists marine scientist, marine biologist and oceanographer among the jobs its marine science degree prepares for.
- Marine science courses combine lectures, laboratory work and field trips.
- No marine biology course gives permanent residence on its own, so plan your work and visa steps with the official pages.
Can You Study Marine Biology in Australia After +2?
Yes, you can start a bachelor’s degree in marine biology or marine science in Australia after +2.
Many Nepali students search for marine biology in Nepal. This page is about studying it in Australia, because Nepal has no sea coast. This guide is part of our study in Australia from Nepal series.
Marine biology is the study of life in the sea, from small plankton to fish and corals. If you are still comparing subjects, read our courses in Australia page first. The bachelor’s degrees in Australia page explains how degrees work.
- Degree: three years full time, as a marine science degree or a science degree with a marine biology major.
- Subjects: lectures, laboratory work and field trips.
- Entry: a completed +2 and an English score that meets the university’s rule.
- Jobs: marine scientist, marine biologist, environmental consultant and conservation roles.
Which Australian Universities Can You Look At for Marine Biology?
Good places to start are Flinders University and UWA.
Flinders: Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)
This is a three-year degree at the Bedford Park campus in Adelaide. International students cannot study it part time. Read the Flinders course page.
UWA: Bachelor of Marine Science
This is a three-year degree at the Crawley campus in Perth. It has majors in marine biology, oceanography and environment. See our University of Western Australia profile and the course page.
What Do You Study in a Marine Biology Degree?
You study biology and the sea, using lectures, laboratory work and field excursions.
The UWA degree combines lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips across Western Australia and beyond. It also offers work placement units. Majors link to marine biology, oceanography and environmental science.
You should be ready for science subjects such as biology and chemistry. Some field work is outdoors and physical. Check the course page for swimming, diving or safety rules.
If you like the environment side more, compare this field with our environmental science courses in Australia guide.
What Is the Difference Between Marine Biology, Marine Science and Environmental Science?
Marine biology studies sea life, marine science covers the whole ocean system, and environmental science looks at nature on land and sea.
Marine science is the wider subject. It includes biology, but also oceanography, which is the study of the ocean itself. UWA offers marine science with majors that link to marine biology, oceanography and environmental science.
Flinders names its degree after marine biology, so the focus is on living things. Read the subject list on each course page, because two degrees with similar names can teach different things.
Pick the one that matches the work you want. If you want to study animals and plants in the sea, choose marine biology. If you want to study the ocean and coast more widely, choose marine science.
What Are the Entry and English Requirements for Marine Biology?
You need a completed +2 in science and an English score that meets the university’s rule.
Flinders lists no prerequisites for the degree, and it asks for IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in speaking and writing, or Pearson 50. UWA asks you to show English competence and to meet its entry score. Check each page for the Nepal entry details. Use our NEB GPA calculator to check your grade first.
Science students with biology and chemistry are best placed. Flinders says it has diploma and foundation routes if you do not yet meet the academic rule.
The visa has its own English score. See our minimum IELTS and PTE for Australia blog and the student visa requirements page.
How Can You Prepare From Nepal for a Marine Biology Degree?
Build your biology and chemistry marks, improve your English and gather your papers early.
Marine biology is a science degree, so your +2 results in biology and chemistry matter most. Practise reading science text in English. Lab reports and field reports need clear writing.
Book your English test early, because the score decides which degrees you can apply for. Our English proficiency test in Nepal page explains the options.
Prepare your statement of purpose too. Our SOP for the Australia student visa guide shows how, and the how to apply page lists the steps.
How Much Does Marine Biology Cost in Australia?
Flinders lists a fee of AUD 43,500 a year for its marine biology degree.
This is the amount on the Flinders page for international students. It changes from year to year. Amounts here are in Australian dollars, so use our AUD to Rs forex converter for a current figure.
| Course | Length | International fee | In Nepali rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flinders, Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) | 3 years | AUD 43,500 a year | about Rs 39 lakh a year |
| UWA, Bachelor of Marine Science | 3 years | see the UWA fee calculator | not shown |
The UWA course page shows no fee, so use its fee calculator. For health cover and living costs, read our cost to study in Australia and scholarships in Australia pages.
What Jobs Can Marine Biology Lead To?
Graduates can work as marine scientists, marine biologists, environmental consultants, coastal planners and conservation officers.
These are the jobs the UWA marine science page lists. UWA also lists oceanographer. Many roles are in research, government agencies and environmental firms.
Some students go on to a master’s degree. UWA names the Master of Marine Science and the Master of Environmental Science as next steps. Read the master’s in Australia page for how postgraduate study works.
Read each job advert for its own rules, because some roles ask for a master’s degree or field experience.
Can You Work and Stay in Australia After a Marine Biology Degree?
You can work part time while you study and apply for a Temporary Graduate visa after you finish, but permanent residence is not automatic.
During term you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight. Read the working hours in Australia page for the rule.
After a degree, the Temporary Graduate visa usually lasts two to three years. Our Australia 485 visa page explains the steps.
No marine biology course leads to permanent residence on its own. Our PR courses in Australia page explains how to plan this honestly. The student visa steps are on the Student visa (subclass 500) page, and you can check any course on the CRICOS register.
Where Should You Live to Study Marine Biology?
Choose a university near the coast you want to study, such as Adelaide for Flinders or Perth for UWA.
Flinders teaches at Bedford Park in Adelaide, and UWA teaches at Crawley in Perth. Cost of living differs by city. Read our best cities in Australia for Nepali students blog and the cost of living in Australia page to compare.
Field trips can take you to other parts of the country, so ask each university how it runs them.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page covers studying it in Australia. Nepal has no sea coast, so students who want a marine degree usually look abroad.
Yes. You can join a three-year bachelor’s degree in marine science or science with a marine biology major after +2.
Science with biology and chemistry is the best base. Check each university page for its own subject rules.
Flinders asks for IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in speaking and writing. Other universities set their own score.
UWA lists marine scientist, marine biologist, environmental consultant, coastal planner, conservationist and oceanographer.
Yes. You can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session.
No. No course leads to permanent residence on its own. Read our PR courses page and the Home Affairs pages for the rules.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply for Marine Biology?
Goreto counselors help you pick a course, check your marks and English score, and prepare your papers.
You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to find the nearest office.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Fees, entry rules and course details change, so confirm each detail on the official university page before you apply.
