University undergraduates studying in the Monica Partridge building. Friday November 5th 2021.

Natural Sciences BSc

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Natural sciences is a degree programme that allows you to study more than one science subject for the duration of your degree. In your first year, you will study three subjects, building a strong foundation and experiencing what these are like at university, before selecting the two that most interest you to continue to degree level. Our flexible structure allows you to develop core knowledge and skills in each of your subjects while exploring your interests, preparing you for further study or careers in those fields. 

Global challenges like energy, sustainability, and health require solutions that go beyond a single discipline. There is a growing demand for individuals who can integrate knowledge across fields, take a broader perspective, and bridge disciplinary gaps. Our core modules are designed to cultivate these abilities, learning to approach problems from multiple angles, connect ideas, and communicate effectively across disciplines. This equips you with the skills needed to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, making you highly attractive to employers.

Find out more about the subjects you can study.

 

Year one Year two Year three Additional year Notes for applicants

You will study equal amounts of three subjects from your chosen stream, gaining fundamental understanding of these disciplines alongside relevant practical and academic skills. The majority of modules you will take are compulsory, but there are some specialisms and limited optional choice in some subjects. 

Alongside your academic study, you will take the Academic and Transferable Skills Portfolio to help you to transition to university life and develop the skills you need to be successful in your studies.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects

You will choose your stream (in late August, following confirmation of your place. This choice is flexible, and you can change stream any time up to the end of the first week of study, providing you meet stream requirements. Below is a list of streams and their requirements.

 

Subject streams Required A level subjects
  Biology Chemistry Maths Physics Other science
Archaeology-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Archaeology-Biology-Earth Science Yes       Yes
Archaeology-Earth Science-Chemistry   Yes     Yes
Biology-Archaeology-Ecosystems and Environment Yes       Yes
Biology-Chemistry-Mathematics Yes Yes Yes    
Biology-Physics-Mathematics Yes   Yes Yes  
Cancer Sciences-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Cancer Sciences-Biology-Psychology Yes       Yes
Chemistry-Archaeology-Ecosystems and Environment   Yes     Yes
Chemistry-Earth Science-Mathematics   Yes Yes    
Chemistry-Physics-Mathematics   Yes Yes Yes  
Ecosystems and Environment-Earth Science-Archaeology         2*
Earth Science-Ecosystem and Environment-Biology Yes       Yes
Ecosystem and Environment-Earth Science-Chemistry   Yes     Yes
Ecosystem and Environment-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Earth Science-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Earth Science-Biology-Mathematics Yes   Yes    
Mathematics-Psychology-Chemistry   Yes Yes    
Physics-Earth Science-Mathematics     Yes Yes  
Physics-Psychology-Mathematics     Yes Yes  
Psychology-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Psychology-Biology-Mathematics Yes   Yes    

 

Other sciences includes biology, chemistry, environmental science/studies, geography, geology, maths, physics, psychology.

You will choose any two of your first-year subjects to study in greater depth .

In many subjects there are opportunities to direct your study to the areas that interest you through specialisms and optional modules, while still building a solid core of knowledge and practical skills required for later years

Alongside your subjects, you will take a 20 credit module called Science and Society: Data and Bias, which examines how social and cultural factors influence scientific research and knowledge, highlighting how biases within the research process impact both scientific discoveries and the way society interprets them.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects.

You will deepen your knowledge in your two chosen subjects, studying them at a more advanced level. With increased flexibility through optional modules, you can explore your personal interests and specialise further in each subject to tailor the degree towards what you want to do next. The emphasis of your study will shift towards independence and being able to apply what you have learned in previous years in a range of theoretical and practical settings.

Alongside subject content, you will take the 20 credit synoptic project, that fosters interdisciplinarity by connecting concepts across various scientific disciplines through a collaborative group project.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects.

There are three opportunities to add an additional year to your programme as part of a named degree.

International study

Studying abroad gives you the chance to learn about your subjects from a different perspective, as well as building your independence and communication skills.

This is an additional year between the second and third years of your course on a pass/fail basis, where the marks obtained do not count towards your final mark. This means that you can truly make the most of the opportunity to expand your academic and cultural horizons.

We currently have 23 partners worldwide, including partners in North America, Europe, Australasia and South East Asia.

If you are interested in studying abroad for a full academic year, apply to the MSci Natural Sciences with International Study programme. It is also possible, subject to the necessary progression requirements, to transfer to this programme once you are here.

Please note: To undertake International Study, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university (60% average in Y1 – 65% for some partners) and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution.

Placement year

Natural Sciences students have the option to transfer to a named ‘Natural Sciences with Placement Year’ programme in their second year. 

A placement provides a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, gain practical experience and build further skills and competencies that will put you a step ahead on the graduate career ladder.

Students looking for placements are provided with support through the Careers and Employability Service and a few specialist teams in specific subject areas. The University continues to support students while they are on their placement, and you will be visited by a placement tutor during the year.

Previous students have spent time working for companies including:

  • KPMG
  • RSPB
  • Rolls Royce
  • GSK
  • Johnson & Johnson

Students who successfully complete their placement and reflective report are awarded the degree MSci Natural Sciences with Placement Year. It will be a four-year programme with the placement in your penultimate year.

Year in computer science

You can also add an intercalated year in Computer Sciences to your degree. This is an additional year between your second and third year of study, designed to provide you with training in software development and computing skills to enhance your studies and career options.

Students request to transfer into this programme during the second year. The year is completed on a pass/fail basis and successful students will graduate with a named degree BSc Natural Sciences with a Year in Computer Science.

Course transfers

You can transfer between any of the following Natural Sciences programmes

  • BSc or MSci programmes
  • international study programmes
  • placement year programmes
  • Year in Computer Science programme

within the first two years of the course, providing you meet any additional requirements for those programmes.

We recommend that students considering either the Placement Year or the Year in Computer Science programmes apply for the International Study programme, as this matches the duration of the programme you will study.

Language study as part of this degree

You may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.  

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. 

If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level. 

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

You will be taught through diverse methods, with different approaches used to promote deep learning and help develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The majority of teaching is face-to-face. 

Teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Problem classes
  • Workshops
  • Computer labs
  • Laboratory sessions
  • Field work
  • Independent study

Teaching is delivered through a mix of in-person and online methods. The majority of your teaching will be in-person.

Modules are assessed through coursework, exams, or a combination of both, varying by module and year.  Assessments are designed to test your understanding and ensure you have met the learning outcomes, but also to enhance your learning and develop a wide range of transferable skills.

Assessment methods

  • Problem sheets
  • Essays
  • Oral presentations
  • Practical reports

You'll study 120 credits a year, typically through 10, 20 or 40 credit modules. One credit equates to approximately 10 hours of work split between formal contact time, self-study, revision and assessment. The number of formal contact hours varies depending on the subjects you are studying, but you will typically spend between 18 and 23 hours in your first year in the following classes:

  • 10 to 12 hours per week of lectures
  • 2 hours per week of skills workshops
  • 3 hours per week in problem classes or workshops (subject dependent)
  • 4-8 hours per week in laboratory classes/field work (subject dependent)
  • 1-2 hours per week in tutorials (subject dependent)

There are additional study group sessions which are optional, but provide some structure to learning outside of formal classes, and the remainder of your time is spent on independent study.

You will graduate with the knowledge and technical skills to take a broad scientific approach to help tackle today's complex problems. During the masters year you gain specialist experience in a professional research environment through an independent research project. This is good preparation for research job roles within industry, or if you are considering a PhD. 

The knowledge and skills that you will gain from this course can lead to roles working in many areas within and outside of science.

Our graduates have gone on to work as:

  • Lab Scientist at Lighthouse Lab Services
  • Commercial Oncology Graduate at Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Bioinformatician at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
  • DevOps/Platform Engineer at Metaswitch Networks

Read our alumni profiles for the sort of jobs our graduates go on to do.

Approximately a third pursue careers in the science sector. Taking up roles in chemical, medical or physical labs, in offices and in the field working as analysts, scientists or engineers. About a third of graduates apply their skills to another sector working at some of the top graduate employers in the country in finance, management, sales, logistics and the civil service.

Further study

The remainder go on to further study doing a masters or PhD in a science specialism they wish to focus on. An understanding of the ideas and approaches across science and how the disciplines fit together is a strong background for further study.

Average starting salary and career progression

86.40% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Science secured employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,834.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Trent Building in sunshine  June 2nd 2020 by Lisa Gilligan-Lee

I enjoyed the idea that I could just pick the sciences that I wanted to study as opposed to alternative natural sciences courses where you study all the sciences in first year and then differentiate.

Ella Tolfrey

BSc Natural Sciences

Course data

Open Day June 2022