You can also look at Ireland (their platform is called CAO and you can look up degree programs ie., “courses”, there.)
Queen’s Belfast is part of NI ie., the UK; UCAS and well-recognized. Really cool city for students, ease of travel. You do need to apply to a major unless you apply to the very selective Liberal Arts “course”.
Beside UEdinburgh, look into UGlasgow, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Heriot Watt (St Andrews if he’s got the grades).
Safeties in the US with topnotch marine science programs: Eckerd in FL, UNC-W in North Carolina. Not sure if merit would bring it to 25k though.