Program Overview
The Natural Sciences BSc Hons program at the University of Nottingham offers students flexibility and interdisciplinary knowledge. In the first year, students explore three subjects and choose two to specialize in for the remaining years. The program emphasizes practical skills, research, and self-reliance, preparing graduates for diverse careers in science and beyond. It is accredited by the Society for Natural Sciences, providing recognition for its strength in interdisciplinary science education.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Natural Sciences BSc Hons program at the University of Nottingham allows students to study a combination of science subjects, gaining experience in multiple fields before specializing later in the degree. Students choose a combination of three subjects (called a stream) in their first year and study two subjects to degree level from their second year onwards. The program offers flexibility, allowing students to focus on their interests, develop a wide range of knowledge and skills, and understand how scientific disciplines fit together.
Outline:
Year 1:
- Students study three subjects equally, choosing a subject stream in early September.
- Subject streams include combinations of Archaeology, Biology, Cancer Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Ecosystems and Environment, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
Year 2:
- Students choose two of their first-year subjects and continue studying them in greater depth.
- Some subjects allow further specialization through optional modules and specialisms, enabling students to tailor their program to their interests.
- Students spend more time developing practical skills through field work, practical computing, and laboratory classes.
Year 3:
- Students continue studying their two chosen subjects at a more advanced level.
- They have even more flexibility through optional modules to explore their own interests and focus on specialist areas within each subject.
- Students can opt to do a major/minor split to study more of their preferred subject.
- Emphasis is placed on self-reliance and applying what students have learned in previous years into practice.
- Students take a 20-credit synoptic project that provides a broader view of science and its communication, tying together different subjects through a collaborative group project.
Assessment:
- Marking criteria are available for each subject, and different types of work are assessed in first-year skills workshops.
- Work is marked in a timely manner with regular feedback.
- The pass mark for each module is 40%.
- The final degree classification is based on marks gained for the second and subsequent years of study.
Teaching:
- Students learn through a variety of methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, problem classes, field courses, independent study, and placements.
- Teaching is provided by academic staff within the relevant school, with additional support from staff, PhD students, and post-doctoral researchers in small group and practical classes.
Careers:
- Graduates have gone on to work in various roles within and outside of science, including as lab scientists, commercial oncology graduates, bioinformaticians, and DevOps/Platform Engineers.
- Approximately a third pursue careers in the science sector, while another third apply their skills to other sectors, such as finance, management, sales, logistics, and the civil service.
- The remaining graduates pursue further study in science specialisms.
Other:
- The program is accredited by the Society for Natural Sciences, recognizing the strength of the degree for students in interdisciplinary science education.
- Students can transfer to other programs, such as international study programs or placement year programs, within the first two years of the course.
- The Nottingham Internship Scheme provides paid work experience opportunities and internships throughout the year.
- The Nottingham Advantage Award is a free scheme to boost employability, offering over 200 extracurricular activities.
- NatSci Soc organizes events throughout the year, including sports activities, social events, and an annual boat party.
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Entry Requirements:
A AA Required subjects Subjects required depend on the stream you want to pursue. The subjects required depend on your chosen stream but include a minimum of A in the required subjects for your stream. This is usually from biology, chemistry, maths, and physics (see Year One for a full list of required subjects). A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately. Cambridge Pre-U qualifications can replace A levels in required subjects. GCSE GCSE English and Maths at C/4 Excluded subjects General Studies, Critical Thinking, CIE Global Perspectives, CIE Thinking Skills and Citizenship Studies are not accepted. IB score 38 IB requirements Including 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects. Alternative Offer: 36, including 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects and an A in the Extended Essay. If you choose to study Higher Level Maths, we require Analysis and Approaches. We do not accept 'Applications and Interpretations'. Additional entry requirements All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry. A AA Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Non-UK entry requirements Alternative qualifications We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education. Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including: Access to HE Diploma Advanced Diploma BTEC HND/HNC BTEC Extended Diploma The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information. RQF BTEC Nationals All applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following: RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma D DD including acceptable science units RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma D D + A Alevel including acceptable science units RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate grade D plus A Level grades A A including 2 core Science subjects or 1 core Science & 1 non core Science Access to HE Diploma All applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following: Access to HE Diploma 42 graded Level 3 credits at Distinction and 3 graded Level 3 credits at Merit including acceptable science credits Contextual offer In order to recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds we make contextual offers for this course to students who have international fee status. These offers could be one or two grades lower than the advertised standard entry requirements. Foundation progression options If you didn't take the right A Levels to study your chosen degree course or you don't expect to meet the entry requirements but you do meet our specific criteria, there is the option to study the Science with Foundation Year course. If you satisfy the progression requirements (65%) then you can progress to any of the streams without maths in natural sciences. Learn more about our Science with Foundation Year course. Mature Students At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. Visa restrictions International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Work experience
Language Proficiency Requirements:
IELTS 5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) English language requirements As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
