We review all of our syllabuses regularly to make sure they continue to meet the needs of our schools and are up-to-date with current thinking. We have updated this syllabus and all assessment materials to improve the clarity and consistency between Marine Science and other sciences in the Cambridge International AS & A Level suite. These changes are for examination in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
How has the syllabus changed?
- We have an updated subject content section to reflect current practice in the field. The content has been restructured into nine new topics and learning outcomes rewritten to make the requirements more explicit and help teachers with what needs to be taught and learnt.
- Investigative skills and the scientific method have become an essential part of the course underpinning many of the syllabus topics. A further emphasis on investigative skills will better prepare students for successful study of a science course at university level, for which some practical exposure is important.
How has the assessment changed?
The assessment objectives have been updated and regrouped into three new assessment objectives:
- AO1 Knowledge and understanding
- AO2 Handling and applying information
- AO3 Experimental skills and investigations (The testing of AO3 is new to this syllabus, allowing a further emphasis on the teaching of investigative skills).
When do these changes take place?
The updated syllabus is for examination from June and November 2022 onwards. Please see the 2022-2024 syllabus above for full details.
Support
We have a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the 2022-2024 syllabus including:
- Scheme of work
- Learner guide
- Specimen Paper answers
- Example Candidate Responses.
These materials are available on our School Support Hub.
Endorsed resources
View the supporting resource for Cambridge International AS & A Level Marine Science (9693).

Marine Science for Cambridge International AS & A Level (Cambridge University Press)
Help students explore the wonders of the underwater world and develop their theoretical and practical marine science skills. Following extensive classroom research, this series has been revised by experienced teachers for examination from 2022.
Read more on the Cambridge University press website