BSc
Natural Sciences BSc (Hons)
The BSc Natural Sciences degree is a cross-disciplinary degree that puts you in control. By combining sciences with subjects from across the wider university you can tailor your qualification to your specific interests and career goals.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
CFG0
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
A*AA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): per year
- Overseas (Full-time): per year
Overview
The BSc in Natural Sciences is one of our most flexible courses. This well-established, challenging and rewarding degree is ideal if your interests span a range of subjects including at least one science. It offers the opportunity to build on your existing interests and explore new subjects. Studying across disciplines, you’ll build a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that you can put to use in a wide range of industries, in the sciences and across a wider range of professions. It also provides a springboard into postgraduate study. There are two routes within this degree, the BSc Joint Honours and the BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences. Both routes offer the opportunity to transfer onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway after Year 2, extending your studies from three years to four. Subjects are divided into three groups: Group 1 includes Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. At least half of your studies in the second and third years must be from the subjects listed in Group 1. Not all subjects can be taken together. Group 2 includes Anthropology, Business, Economics, Geography and Philosophy. Group 3 includes Sport & Exercise Science and Education. These subjects are exclusive to the BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences route and no more than half of your studies in the second and third years can be made up of subjects in Groups 2 and 3. If you are interested in any Group 3 subjects, please speak to the Natural Sciences Admissions Selector. You can find more information about the subjects on offer on the Natural Sciences webpages. BSc Joint Honours BSc Joint Honours degrees are available in the following combinations: Biology and one of Anthropology, Chemistry, Geography, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology;Chemistry and one of Biology, Earth Sciences, Mathematics or Physics;Computer Science and one of Business or PhysicsEarth Sciences and one of Biology, Chemistry or Geography;Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy, or Psychology;Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics or Philosophy;Psychology and one of Biology, Economics or Mathematics. This route allows you to study two preferred subjects in all three years of study (in the first year there may be the opportunity to take modules in a third subject). You will graduate with a BSc Honours degree in two named subjects. BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences The BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences route offers more flexibility. You can combine ‘unapproved’ pairs of subjects, three subjects or begin a new subject in the second year. You can choose to study the same three subjects each year. Alternatively, when you progress to Year 2 you may prefer to build on your first-year studies in one or two subjects and then combine advanced modules in these subjects with a new subject (or subjects). Moving to your final year you can choose to pursue either two or three subjects, all of which you must also have studied in earlier years. With this route, you graduate with a BSc (Honours) degree in Natural Sciences with the main subjects listed on the degree certificate.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
CFG0
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
A*AA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): per year
- Overseas (Full-time): per year
What you'll study
Year 1 In Year 1 you can study a minimum of two subjects and no more than four, this provides a solid foundation for second-year study. You can choose to specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject, and at least three of your Year 1 modules should be from the Faculty of Science. For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours in: Biology and Earth Sciences, you must take core modules, which leaves you free to choose two optional modules from any subject on offer.Chemistry and Physics, you must take core modules from these subjects leaving two free modules from Mathematics. To find out the number of core modules for each subject take a look at the Natural Sciences webpages. Many BSc Natural Sciences students choose two modules from each of three subjects although other combinations are possible. This combination would normally allow progression in any or all three of these subjects. Subject and module choices will depend on entry requirements and your choices will be dependent on the University’s academic timetable. Year 2 Striking a balance between breadth and depth you can study either two or three subjects in your second year. As in Year 1 you can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject. For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours degree in: Biology and Chemistry must take six core modules.Biology and Psychology must take six core modules. If you are studying for the BSc in Natural Sciences, your choices are only limited by progression and the academic timetable. You can build on one or two of the subjects studied in your first year, but you can also add a new subject by taking a first-year module in Year 2. Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) In the final year you can choose either two or three subjects. It is possible to specialise in greater depth by taking up to five modules in one subject. For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours degree in: Chemistry and Earth Sciences, you must take two core modules in Chemistry and at least two modules from Earth Sciences with the remaining modules from these subjects, which could be none, one or two.Business and Computer Science, you must take at least two modules from each subject with the remaining modules from these subjects. The BSc in Natural Sciences offers continued freedom in your final year. This year includes a capstone module which is a final project designed to consolidate your learning. You will combine modules in subjects already studied to a higher level and the main subjects studied will be listed on the degree certificate.
Learning
Methods of learning will vary according to subject choice but are likely to include lectures and small-group seminars alongside tutorials, workshops and practical classes. Using the latest resources, practical sessions may provide hands-on experience of the type of work performed by professionals in the various disciplines. We place great emphasis on high-quality small-group teaching. The small-group format and guidance from your academic advisor help get more out of your studies. As you progress to the final year there's an increased focus on self-directed learning and independent research as you begin to prepare for professional or postgraduate life.Assessment
All subjects are assessed by examinations, but there may be some element of continuous assessment in modules where there is a practical element. Assessment is designed to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your critical thinking and determine your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues. In your final year, you will be required to study modules where the content is student driven and involves independent thought and personal management of the work’s direction.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
per year
International / EU Students
per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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Real-world challenges often require multidisciplinary solutions. Our Natural Sciences degrees allow students to combine either traditional Joint-Honours degrees or transcend traditional subject boundaries, bringing together a range of ideas and disciplinary perspectives. You can study for a BSc or MSci. Both qualifications allow you to design your own degree, majoring in at least one science subject: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth Sciences; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology; with the possibility of studying a second science discipline, Anthropology, Business, Economics, Education, Geography, Philosophy or Sport & Exercise Sciences. Focus on two subjects from the outset, or choose a broader range of modules across three or four subjects. These highly flexible courses include the opportunity to undertake a year abroad or a placement year, to develop additional skills and enjoy new experiences. Natural Sciences is a challenging and rewarding choice for science students who wish to study more than one subject. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
You will have access to a wide range of facilities across multiple departments. Most departments are close to the historic centre of Durham which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Learning resources
You will also benefit from excellent IT facilities including Learn Ultra, Durham’s virtual learning environment. You will have access to up to 1.6 million printed books, 25,000 eJournals and over 850,000 eBooks in the main library.
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Facilities
Facilities will depend on the subject specialism but include laboratories, libraries, project spaces, lecture theatres, study and networking spaces as well as shared social spaces.
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Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23:
89%
96%
£34,400
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
The key characteristics of the Natural Sciences degree are choice, flexibility and depth.
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