Natural Sciences

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 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, Mathematics or Physics
• Earth Sciences and one of Biology, Chemistry or Geography;
• Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Philosophy, Physics 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.

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.
• Economics and Mathematics, you must take core modules from these subjects leaving one free module from any subject.

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:

• Mathematics and Physics, you must take five core modules which leaves you free to choose one module from these subjects to achieve an equal balance.
• 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.

Placement