Natural Sciences

Entry requirements

  • Offers are generally based on grades achieved in three A levels (or equivalent).
  • Standard offer: A*AA (or equivalent) across three subjects.
  • Standard offer for IB: 36 overall including a minimum of 6 in HL across three subjects.
  • Alternative offer: AAA (or equivalent) across three subjects plus an A in the EPQ or the Individual Project component of the Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.
  • Alternative for IB: 34 overall including a minimum of 6 in HL across three subjects + Extended Essay.
  • Applicants receiving an alternative offer as a result of studying a project-based qualification (above), will be given both the Standard and Alternative Offers.  
  • Applicants may receive the alternative offer as a standalone offer if it is a contextual offer.
  • Applicants without A level Maths must have a C/4 in GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent).
  • Excluded subjects at A level (or equivalent) - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Thinking Skills, Global Perspectives.
 

Subject Requirements for Streams

  • All streams require at least 2 science subjects.
  • If the stream you are interested in contains Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics then these subjects are required at A level/Higher level. 
  • For some streams this means there are three required subjects e.g. Biology-Chemistry and Maths needs all three at A level/higher level

  • For some streams it means there are two required subjects and your third subject can be anything apart from excluded subjects (listed above)

  • For some streams there is only one required subject, in this case you must have a second science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics or Psychology. Your third subject can be anything apart from excluded subjects (listed above).
  • Note for IB students - if Maths is a required subject for a stream it needs to be Maths Analysis and Approaches, For streams that do not require Maths as a subject then Maths Application and Interpretation does count as a science subject.
  • Streams are formally chosen in early September before you arrive. If you are unsure which streams you are eligible for please contact us.

Approved streams

  • Archaeology-Biology-Chemistry
  • Archaeology-Biology-Earth Science
  • Archaeology-Earth Science-Chemistry
  • Biology-Archaeology-Ecosystem & Environment
  • Biology-Chemistry-Maths
  • Biology-Physics-Maths
  • Cancer Science-Biology-Chemistry
  • Cancer Science-Biology-Psychology
  • Chemistry-Archaeology-Ecosystem & Environment
  • Chemistry-Earth Science-Maths
  • Chemistry-Physics-Maths
  • Ecosystem & Environment-Biology-Chemistry
  • Ecosystem & Environment-Earth Science-Archaeology
  • Ecosystem & Environment-Earth Science-Chemistry
  • Earth Science-Ecosystem & Environment-Biology
  • Earth Science-Biology-Chemistry
  • Earth Science-Biology-Maths
  • Maths-Psychology-Chemistry
  • Physics-Earth Science-Maths
  • Physics-Psychology-Maths
  • Psychology-Biology-Chemistry
  • Psychology-Biology-Maths
 

Other Qualifications

Although A levels are the most common entry qualifications of our students many other qualifications are acceptable including: 

  • Scottish Highers and CSYS/Advanced Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • International and European Baccalaureate
  • Cambridge Pre-U Diploma

Country-specific qualification information

Please contact us to get more detailed information about qualifications considered. 

English Language Requirements

In addition to our other entry requirements we ask that you achieve an appropriate grade/score in an approved examination in English language before you can register on an academic programme.  The most common qualification scores we accept are: 

  • GCSE English Language Grade C/4 or above
  • IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

Further information about English Language Requirements

The University's Centre for English Language Education (CELE) offers support for international and EU students before and during their studies at the University. If you are aiming to study at The University of Nottingham, or at another British university, you can prepare by attending one of the Centre's presessional English language courses, which run from one month to nine months depending on your language needs. The Centre will also offer you support with your language skills throughout your studies with us.

Centre for English Language - Presessional English Courses

Natural Sciences

School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham
University Park
NG7 2RD

Tel: +44 (0) 115 823 2376
Fax: +44 (0) 115 951 3555
Email: naturalsciences@nottingham.ac.uk