Natural sciences allows you to study a combination of science subjects, getting to experience these at university before specialising later in the degree. You'll choose a combination of three subjects (called a stream) in your first year and study two subjects to degree level from your second year onwards.
You can continue to study familiar subjects but can also study subjects you may not have studied before such as archaeology, cancer sciences, earth science, the environment or psychology.
Other Science includes: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies/Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.
The majority of modules are compulsory but there are limited optional choices in a few subjects. For typical modules on each stream, click the stream titles above.
Alongside your academic study, you take workshops towards 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 and beyond.
You will broaden and deepen your knowledge of scientific ideas and techniques using a wide variety of different methods of study.
Teaching methods
Marking criteria are available from each of the individual subjects and how different types of work are assessed is discussed in skills workshops. Your work will be marked in a timely manner and you will receive regular feedback. The pass mark for each module is 40%.
Your final degree classification will be based on marks gained for your second and subsequent years of study. For the BSc with International Study degree Year Two is worth 33% with Year Four worth 67%.
Assessment methods
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:
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.
Lectures vary in size from 30 to 400 students in the first year but tend to reduce in size in later years as students specialise more. Practical classes are between 20 and 50 students and may be done in pairs.
Teaching is provided by academic staff within the relevant School with additional support in small group and practical classes from staff, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers.
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:
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
92.3% of undergraduates studying natural sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £26,041*
* Data from University of Nottingham graduates, 2017-2019. HESA Graduate Outcomes. Sample sizes vary. 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).
Studying abroad allowed me to develop the ability to interact with a diverse group of people which is a skill that I will always be able to use in future education and careers. "
Jenika Patel
BSc Natural Sciences International Study
