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Natural Sciences at Durham University - UCAS

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2024 - 2025
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Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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Open days

14Jun
Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
Undergraduate
15Jun
Durham University - Undergraduate Pre- application Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

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.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Anthropology
  • Anthropology and Biology
  • Anthropology and Psychology
  • Biology
  • Biology and Chemistry
  • Biology and Earth Science

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 method

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.

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CFG0
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus code:
O

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Our contextual offer for this programme is 2 A level grades lower (or equivalent). The exact grading is dependent upon subject choices as we are not able to reduce subject specific requirements, e.g. if Maths is chosen, you will still be required to meet A*A in Maths and Further Maths, but the 3rd subject will be reduced to C. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/

English language requirements

Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.

English language requirements

https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
50%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £30500 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £30500 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1

Additional fee information

There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Natural Sciences at Durham University - UCAS