Someone who’s awed by the ocean’s mysteries is sure to have considered a career in Marine Biology at some point in their lives. Marine biology deals with life in the sea and other similar salt-water ecosystems. Professionals in the field study marine life, the environment, the threats to aquatic organisms, and the impact of humans on them.
Boasting a rich exotica of marine life, South Africa can prove an excellent study destination for future marine biologists. In this article, we’ll be going through some of the country’s best schools that offer international students marine biology programs.
Top Schools Offering Marine Biology Programs in South Africa
A wide array of subjects, including aquatic science, zoology, and ecology, are offered in universities in South Africa. Here are some schools where you can pursue a 3-5 year degree program in marine biology.
1. University of Cape Town
Widely recognized as the best university in South Africa, the University of Cape Town ideally makes it one of the best locations for international students to study comprehensive programs in science. Located in the country’s legislative capital, Cape Town, the university is a leading higher education provider in the world.
The 2024 QS World University Rankings ranked the University of Cape Town 173rd in the world. Compared to the previous year’s ranking, it has bumped up 64 places, proving that it’s only getting better over the years.
The university offers a Bachelor’s program in biological science, allowing students to major in marine biology. Students who follow this 3-year program can go for honors or continue their education with a postgraduate program offered here.
2. Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University is a top public university in South Africa, located in Port Elizabeth and George. Part of the curricula offered in the university includes intensive hands-on training for students across disciplines. The university is a center for vocational training offering programs from Diplomas to Master’s degree programs.
Established in 2005, Ada, result of 2 standing institutions merging, the university has now become one of the largest institutions in the country. It has also been ranked and recognized by international bodies, including the BRICS, which ranked it between #211 and #220 in 2019.
A Master’s program is offered here at Nelson Mandela University titled “Master of Science in Biological Oceanography”. This one-year research-based program is for students who have a Bachelor of Science. This program opens up marine biology, botany, and zoology career pathways.
3. University of Kwazulu-Natal
Located against the scenic backdrop of Kwazulu-Natal, UKZN has multiple campuses that offer residential research-led higher educational programs for students. The Ushaka Marine World, the world’s 5th largest aquarium, is located in Durban, near the university.
The University of Kwazulu-Natal offers a three-year undergraduate program in Biological Sciences at the Westville campuses. Students can choose to major in marine biology. Students who obtain a minimum of 50% in their bachelor’s can gain admittance to Honors; a one-year specialist program in the field of Marine Biology.
4. Cape Peninsula University of Technology
The largest university in the province of Western Cape, CPUT is one of the best-functioning educational institutions that welcome international students. It is ideally located quite close to the western coast of South Africa, giving access to marine life that could help students in the field.
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning accredits programs in the university. This institution boasts over 30,000 students, several regional campuses, and a menu of 70+ programs.
The programs offered at CPUT concerned with ocean life include a diploma in Marine Science, an Advanced Diploma in Marine Science, and postgraduate and master’s programs in the same field.
5. University of the Witwatersrand
The University of Witwatersrand is a public university in Johannesburg, an economic powerhouse of the African continent. Over the years, the university has made major contributions to applied sciences and research in fundamental science.
The 2-year master’s program in Hydrogeology offered here facilitates an intensive study of the surface water resources in the country that are not being effectively used as of now. Applicants are expected to have either a postgraduate diploma or a Bachelor of Science with Honors from a relevant science field like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Geology.
Among the notable alumni of this prestigious institution is Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace laureate and former president of South Africa. Having produced other notable professionals in other industries, the university still stands as one of the best-recognized educational institutions in the world.
FAQS About Studying Marine Biology in South Africa
Is Pursuing a Degree in Marine Biology Worth It?
Even if there is little or no exposure to marine environments in your home country or wherever you are based, a degree in marine biology definitely opens up multiple career pathways. Therefore, pursuing a marine biology degree is worth it for the number of jobs it offers.
South Africa is known for its rich marine ecosystem, so planning a career ahead in the country post-studies would be a prospectively high return on investment. English is also one of the dominant languages in the country which makes it a lot easier for expatriates to find job roles they like to fill in.
Pursuing a marine biology career is worth it for someone passionate about marine life. Of the places you could choose for your higher education, South Africa is one of the best as it has a front-facing window into the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Hopefully, this article has been informative. You may also be interested in this article about the best countries to study marine biology abroad!
