SEOES is a large multi-disciplinary school that has over 60 members of academic staff with 28 undergraduate and fourteen postgraduate degree courses. It recognises the vital link between commercial marine activities and research agencies, and this is reflected in the broad range of environmental management and industry relevant research. Much of the postgraduate work is internationally based and aims to enhance European links with many research groups being active within EU programmes.

The University of Plymouth’s course in Hydrography conforms to the academic requirements of the Joint Board of Competence of the Federation Internationale Geometres and the International Hydrographic Organisation.