Natural Sciences, BSc (Hons)

The Natural Sciences programme enables students to explore a variety of science subjects before specialising, allowing for a broad initial experience. In the first year, you select a combination of three subjects, known as a stream, and study 40 credits per subject, including core modules, optional choices, and the compulsory Academic and Transferable Skills Portfolio. This setup helps you adapt to university life and build essential skills. Available subjects include archaeology, biology, cancer sciences, chemistry, earth science, ecosystem and environment, maths, physics, and psychology, offering flexibility to pursue familiar or new areas while developing interdisciplinary knowledge.In the second year, you narrow your focus to two subjects, delving deeper with optional modules that allow specialisation and emphasise practical skills through fieldwork, computing, and laboratory work. By the third year, studies advance further, with optional modules for personalised exploration and a synoptic group project that integrates expertise from various streams. For the latest details on modules and streams, consult the course website.

During your first year, you will study modules from each of your three chosen subjects. You'll study 40 credits from each subject, made up of core and optional modules. This includes the compulsory Academic and Transferable Skills Portfolio. This is designed to help you to settle in to university life and develop skills that will be useful for your future studies. In the second year, you will chose two of your first year subjects and continue to study them in greater depth. Some subjects allow you to specialise further through optional modules. This allows you to tailor the programme to your interests. There's more focus on developing your practical skills through fieldwork, computing and laboratory classes. During your third year, you'll study your two chosen subjects at a more advanced level. Optional modules will enable you to explore your own interests. You will become more self-reliant and proactive in your study approach. A highlight of this year is the synoptic project. This requires you to work on a group project with students from other streams. You will bring your individual expertise to the project and find new ways to apply the theories and approaches you have learnt in previous years. For the most up-to-date module information and streams, please visit the course page on our website.