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Natural Sciences

Entry requirements


A level

A*,A,A

All applicants taking A levels will need three A levels with at least one Science (Biology; Human Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics; Physics.) The standard offer is A*AA and you will need specific A level grades to study: Biology: A in either Biology or Chemistry. Chemistry: A*A in any order in Chemistry and Mathematics. Computer Science: A in Mathematics. Economics: A in Mathematics. Mathematics: Either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths for students unable to take A2 Further Maths. Physics: A*A in any order in Maths and Physics. We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking A levels as part of our offer. All applicants wishing to study Psychology will need to have achieved Grade 5 (or grade B) in Mathematics at GCSE, or equivalent. Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking. Information: Specific subjects may be required depending upon the combination of subjects to be studied. Please see the course database for more information. Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,M:15

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D2,D3,D3

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

38

All applicants taking the International Baccalaureate will need a score of 38 points overall including either 766 or 666 at the Higher Level with at least one of these in a Science (Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics (analysis & approaches); Physics.) You will need specific Higher Level grades to study: Biology: 6 in either Biology or Chemistry. Chemistry: 76 in any order in Chemistry and Mathematics. Computer Science: 6 in Mathematics. Economics: 6 in Mathematics. Mathematics: 7 in Mathematics. Physics: 76 in any order in Mathematics and Physics. If the augmented offer includes a 7 at the Higher Level in any subject, then the offer will be 766 at the Higher Level, otherwise, it will be 666 at the Higher Level.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H1,H2,H2,H2,H2

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

D*DD

Subject specific A Levels may also be required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

D*DD

Subject specific A Levels may also be required.

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,A,A

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

Scottish Higher

A,A,A,A,A

Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds.  We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level.  Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/cfg0/#entry-requirements-1237474

UCAS Tariff

152-168

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Natural sciences

The BSc in Natural Sciences is one of our most flexible courses. This well-established, challenging and rewarding degree is ideal if your interests span a range of subjects including at least one science. It offers the opportunity to build on your existing interests and explore new subjects.

Studying across disciplines, you’ll build a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that you can put to use in a wide range of industries, in the sciences and across a wider range of professions. It also provides a springboard into postgraduate study.

There are two routes within this degree, the BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences and the BSc Joint Honours. Both routes offer the opportunity to transfer onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway after Year 2, extending your studies from three years to four.

Subjects are divided into three groups:

Group 1 includes Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. At least half of your studies in the second and third years must be from the subjects listed in Group 1. Not all subjects can be taken together.

Group 2 includes Anthropology, Business, Economics, Geography and Philosophy.

Group 3 includes Sport and Education (excluding History of Art). These subjects are exclusive to the BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences route and no more than half of your studies in the second and third years can be made up of subjects in Groups 2 and 3. If you are interested in any Group 3 subjects, please speak to the Natural Sciences Admissions Selector.

You can find more information about the subjects on offer on the Natural Sciences webpages.

BSc Joint Honours
BSc Joint Honours degrees are available in the following combinations:

Biology and one of Anthropology, Chemistry, Geography, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology;
Chemistry and one of Biology, Earth Sciences, Mathematics or Physics;
Computer Science and one of Business, Mathematics or Physics
Earth Sciences and one of Biology, Chemistry or Geography;
Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Philosophy, Physics or Psychology;
Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics or Philosophy;
Psychology and one of Biology, Economics or Mathematics.
This route allows you to study two preferred subjects in all three years of study (in the first year there may be the opportunity to take modules in a third subject). You will graduate with a BSc Honours degree in two named subjects.

BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences
The BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences route offers more flexibility. You can combine ‘unapproved’ pairs of subjects, three subjects or begin a new subject in the second year.

You can choose to study the same three subjects each year. Alternatively, when you progress to Year 2 you may prefer to build on your first-year studies in one or two subjects and then combine advanced modules in these subjects with a new subject (or subjects).

Moving to your final year you can choose to pursue either two or three subjects, all of which you must also have studied in earlier years. With this route, you graduate with a BSc (Honours) degree in Natural Sciences with the main subjects listed on the degree certificate.

Modules

Year 1
In Year 1 you can study a minimum of two subjects and no more than four, this provides a solid foundation for second year study. You can choose to specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject, and at least three of your Year 1 modules should be from the Faculty of Science.

For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours in:

Biology and Earth Sciences, you must take core modules, which leaves you free to choose two optional modules from any subject on offer.
Economics and Mathematics, you must take core modules from these subjects leaving one free module from any subject.
To find out the number of core modules for each subject take a look at the Natural Sciences webpages.

Many BSc Natural Sciences students choose two modules from each of three subjects although other combinations are possible. This combination would normally allow progression in any or all three of these subjects. Subject and module choices will depend on entry requirements and your choices will be dependent on the University’s academic timetable.

Year 2
Striking a balance between breadth and depth you can study either two or three subjects in your second year. As in Year 1 you can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject. For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours degree in:

Mathematics and Physics, you must take five core modules which leaves you free to choose one module from these subjects to achieve an equal balance.
Biology and Psychology must take six core modules.
If you are studying for the BSc in Natural Sciences, your choices are only limited by progression and the academic timetable. You can build on one or two of the subjects studied in your first year, but you can also add a new subject by taking a first-year module in Year 2.

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad)
In the final year you can choose either two or three subjects. It is possible to specialise in greater depth by taking up to five modules in one subject. For example, if you choose BSc Joint Honours degree in:

Chemistry and Earth Sciences, you must take two core modules in Chemistry and at least two modules from Earth Sciences with the remaining modules from these subjects, which could be none, one or two.
Business and Computer Science, you must take at least two modules from each subject with the remaining modules from these subjects.
The BSc in Natural Sciences offers continued freedom in your final year. This year includes a capstone module which is a final project designed to consolidate your learning. You will combine modules in subjects already studied to a higher level and the main subjects studied will be listed on the degree certificate.

Assessment methods

All subjects are assessed by examinations, but there may be some element of continuous assessment in modules where there is a practical element. Assessment is designed to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your critical thinking and determine your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.

In your final year, you will be required to study modules where the content is student driven and involves independent thought and personal management of the work’s direction.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£30,500
per year
International
£30,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course locations:

Durham City

College allocation pending

Department:

Natural Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

87%
Natural sciences

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Natural sciences (non-specific)

Teaching and learning

82%
Staff make the subject interesting
92%
Staff are good at explaining things
91%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
74%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

77%
Library resources
78%
IT resources
87%
Course specific equipment and facilities
73%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

86%
UK students
14%
International students
55%
Male students
45%
Female students
91%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A*
A
A*

After graduation


Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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