Bachelor of Marine Science

You'll gain practical experience through a placement of at least 80 hours at a course-related host organisation, providing opportunities for workplace visits, field trips and industry learning, helping you build valuable professional networks and gain insight into your potential career outcomes. Students enrolled at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus will also be required to undertake some of their practical learning experiences at the Queenscliff Marine Science Centre.

Students must complete at least one major from the available Marine Science Majors. Each major is comprised of six (6) credit points. The available majors are Ocean, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (available at Geelong) and Sustainable Marine Management (available at Warrnambool).

Yes, the Bachelor of Marine Science is available at both the Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Warrnambool campuses, with intakes in both Trimester 1 (March) and Trimester 2 (July) at each location. Note that the available major sequences differ by campus — Ocean, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences is offered at Geelong, while Sustainable Marine Management is offered at Warrnambool.

The Bachelor of Marine Science takes 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent. To complete the degree, you must pass 24 credit points, including 12 credit points of core units, 1 major (6 credit points), and 6 credit points of open elective units or a minor. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year. You may also be able to study available units in an optional third trimester to fast-track your degree.

For the Waurn Ponds (Geelong) campus, the lowest selection rank ATAR is 64.80 (based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers) and the Deakin Guaranteed ATAR is 55. For the Warrnambool campus, the lowest selection rank ATAR is 52.30 and the Deakin Guaranteed ATAR is 50. Eligible students may also apply for the Deakin Guaranteed ATAR pathway for guaranteed admission at a lower ATAR.