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MSci/BSc Natural Sciences

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
YCF1
Course Type
Undergraduate, Major-minor combined, Single Honours, Study abroad year
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25:
£TBC (UK)
£22,860 (International)
More detail.

Discover Natural Sciences. A programme of education created for talented students who want to study a variety of scientific subjects at degree level. 

Develop your expertise in Interdisciplinary Science and Follow Your Curiosity:  Your undergraduate journey will typically revolve around one primary subject, your Major, which will become your specialist discipline. Alongside our core modules, which will help develop your capacity as an interdisciplinary scientist, you will also have the freedom to explore subjects that ignite your curiosity.

Create Your Unique Expertise: Our approach to Natural Sciences ensures you gain a broad and versatile scientific education. Complement your Major with one or two additional subjects, crafting an original portfolio of expertise that builds on your interests and sets you apart. 

Flexible Graduation Options: Study on our 4 year MSci course or our 3 year BSc, with optional future focused opportunities such as a year of study abroad or an intercalated year. At the end of your degree, you have the flexibility to graduate with a Natural Sciences degree, either with or without a major specialism, depending on your chosen modules.

As a Natural Sciences student, you will be part of a vibrant and diverse community that welcomes and celebrates differences.  There are many opportunities to help shape the programme, such as participating in student-leadership groups, our themed Natural Sciences community meetings, and our curriculum development group.  You can also get involved by taking a role in the thriving Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences Society, or one of the Natural Sciences official student-ambassador positions.

Possible Subject Pathways

Throughout your time here it is possible to pick a Major/First, Second, Third and fourth subject this is outlined in more detail in the module section but please see here a list of options you can choose from.

(Major = 60 credits; Second Subject = 40 credits; third/fourth = 20 credits)

Major, Second, and Third Subjects:

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Physical Geography
  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

 Major and Second Subjects Only:

  • Biochemistry
  • Computer Sciences
  • Environmental Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology

 Second, Third and Fourth Subjects

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Science
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Physical Geography
  • Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences

  Restrictions:

  • Materials Science and Engineering: Cannot be used as a Third Subject or in the MSci programme.
  • Engineering: Can only be used as a Third Subject.


 

Modules

Please note: You will take 120 credits of modules in each year of study. The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Year 1

For each pathway you will study Natural Sciences Mandatory Core (The Responsible Scientist 1) (20 credits) - You will receive training in the skills that you need to become an interdisciplinary scientist, and be able to work across different scientific disiplines. Our year 1 core asks the questions: What science is? Who science is for?, and How science is done?

Pathways options

BSc Pathway A (120 credits): Standard Route (graduate with a major specialism)

  • Major Subject (60 credits)
  • Second Subject (40 credits)
  • OR
  • Major Subject (60 credits)
  • Second and Third Subjects (2 x 20 credits)

BSc Pathway B (120 credits): Option 1 without major specialism 

  • First Subject (40 credits)
  • Second Subject (40 credits)
  • Third Subject (20 credits)

BSc Pathway C (120 credits): Option 2 without major specialism 

  • First Subject (40 credits)
  • Second, Third, and Fourth Subjects (3 x 20 credits)

MSci Pathways:

  • MSci Pathway A: Follows BSc Pathway A structure.
  • MSci Pathway B: Follows BSc Pathway B structure.

Year 2

For each pathway you will study Natural Sciences Mandatory Core  (The Responsible Scientist 2) (20 credits) - In Year Two, we elevate your Interdisciplinary Science expertise with a compulsory module that develops you science communication skills alongside data science and visualisation skills.

Pathways Options

All pathways continue from Year 1.

Year 3

For each BSc pathway you  will undertake an independent research project in your Major and/or a Natural Sciences Group Research project in and/or our entrepreneurial modules. This will total 40 credits and can be any combination of the below.

  • Natural Sciences Group Research Project (40 credits) - preferred option
  • Subject-specific project (40 credits) where available
  • Entrepreneurship Modules (2x 20 credits. 20 Credits counts towards IRP plus a 20 credit subject where available or Natural Sciences 20 credit IRP)

Pathways options

BSc Pathway A (120 credits):

  • Major Subject (60 credits overall) with option for Independent Research to be part of the 60 credits
  • * Second and Third Subjects (60 credits)

BSc Pathway B (120 credits):

  • * First, Second, and Third Subjects (120 credits)

o   Any valid combination of subjects continued from the second year and Independent Research Options 

BSc Pathway C (120 credits):

  • * First, Second, Third Subjects and Fourth (120 credits)

o   Any valid combination of subjects continued from the second year and Independent Research Options

MSci Pathways A

  • Major Subject (60 credits)
  • * Second and Third Subjects (60 credits) with Independent Research Options 

MSci Pathways B

  • First, Second and Third Subjects (120 credits - Any Valid combination of subjects from year 2 and Entrepreneurship Modules (20 + 20 credits))

* No more than 60 credits allowed in any one subject. The total number of subjects studied at this stage can otherwise range from two to three (pathways α and β) or two to four (pathway γ). Independent Research doesn’t necessarily have to be taken in α Major subject. All subject to prerequisites

Year 4 Pathways (MSci)

Independent Research Options are worth 60 credits, and can be Either a Subject-specific project or Interdisciplinary Research Project

Pathway options

MSci Pathway A (120 credits):

  • Major Subject (60 credits)

o   Continuation from Year 3 including any valid combination of Independent Research

  • Second and Third Subjects (60 credits)

o   Continuation from Year 3 including a combination of Independent Research (60 credits) from either Subject Specific project or Interdisciplinary Research Project

MSci Pathway B (120 credits):

  • First, Second, and Third Subjects (120 credits)

o   Continuation from Year 3 including a combination of Independent Research (60 credits) from either Subject Specific

 

Note:  Movement between pathways is possible between Years 1 and 2, subject to prerequisites.

Fees

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fee would be £9,535. Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Fees for 2024/25 are as follows:

  • UK: £TBC
  • International: £22,860

Eligibility for fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students.

For further information on tuition fees, living costs and available financial support, please see our pages on undergraduate fees and funding.

Tuition fees when studying abroad

For those spending a whole academic year abroad (where available):

  • Students who are classed as UK for fees purposes are required to pay 15% of their normal annual tuition fee
  • Students who are classed as International for fee purposes are required to pay 50% of their normal annual tuition fee

For those studying abroad for just one semester (where available), normal annual tuition fees apply.

Note - Study abroad opportunities vary between courses; please see the course description for details of study abroad options offered.

How To Apply

More information on how to apply for this course will be added in due course, in the meantime please click this link for more information on applying to a course at Birmingham.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAA

IB Diploma: 6, 6, 6 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Standard English language requirements apply.

Required subjects and grades: Grade A in Mathematics and Grade A in either Physics, Chemistry or Biology are required for BSc Natural Sciences.

BTEC: Level 3 National, Extended Certificate and Extended Diploma all considered on a case by case basis.

Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.

 

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

Natural Sciences and the University of Birmingham welcome international students to join our diverse community.

  1. We know that coming to a new country can be daunting, which is why international applicants are assigned a Natural Sciences personal tutor at the start of the summer before they join us. Your personal tutor will be accessible to support you throughout the summer as you prepare for university and as you settle in.

We welcome applications from international students and invite you to join our vibrant community of over 4500 international students who represent 150 different countries. We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts.

Taught by academics who are finding innovative solutions to big issues, you will have access to the latest knowledge and thinking by studying at Birmingham.

We use a variety of approaches to help you learn during the course of your degree. Your teaching will involve a mixture of dedicated and innovative small group experiences with fellow Natural Sciences students and studying alongside other students in your Major field or optional modules. Throughout the programme, you will move between different Schools and departments across the University, whilst retaining a home and core support network within the Natural Sciences team.

Depending on your Major area of concentration this may involve some, or all, of large and small lectures, small group seminars and/or laboratory work. You will interact closely with the core Natural Sciences advisory staff and fellow students as part of both your core and extramural development.

Support

From day one, we will help you to adjust to university life and studying at degree level. You will have access to a comprehensive support system that will assist and encourage you, including academic staff and welfare tutors who can help with both issues relating to your studies and your personal welfare. Students wishing to take the MSci course will undergo a formal review at the end of their second year.

Our Academic Skills Centre also offers you support with your learning. The centre is a place where you can develop your mathematical, academic writing and general academic skills. It is the centre's aim to help you to become a more effective and independent learner through the use of a range of high-quality and appropriate learning support services. These range from drop-in sessions to workshops on a range of topics including note taking, reading, writing and presentation skills.

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic and welfare advice, encouraging you and offering assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time here at Birmingham.

Contact hours

Contact time will vary depending on the modules you select and your level of study. In year one, the Natural Sciences compulsory modules involve 2 hours per week, with your additional contact time dependent on your choice of subjects and portfolio of modules. Typically, formally timetabled work is about 30 hours per week. with the remaining time allocated to research, preparation, and assignments.

As you progress through your studies, you are typically expected to undertake a higher level of independent guided study and your formally timetabled contact hours will adjust accordingly. Contact time for Natural Sciences students is supported by the advice and guidance time scheduled with your personal tutor, and in your final year you receive individual supervision in support of your dissertation or independent research project.

Assessment Methods

Assessments - you will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

  • coursework, such as essays
  • group and individual presentations
  • and formal exams

Feedback - You will receive feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from each assignment. You will also be given feedback on any exams that you take. If you should fail an exam, we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is provided to help you prepare for future exams.

 

Year one

The above data provides an indication of the type of activity a student is likely to undertake during a typical pathway on their chosen programme of study. The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. 

Year two

The above data provides an indication of the type of activity a student is likely to undertake during a typical pathway on their chosen programme of study. The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. 

Year three

Your third year is spent at one of our international partner institution

The above data provides an indication of the type of activity a student is likely to undertake during a typical pathway on their chosen programme of study. The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. 

Year four

The above data provides an indication of the type of activity a student is likely to undertake during a typical pathway on their chosen programme of study. The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. 

A Natural Sciences degree will set you apart in a competitive job market.

Throughout the programme, our students develop skills in academic resilience, initiative, and intellectual independence. Natural Sciences graduates have the ability to research and analyse complex information, work independently and as part of a team, and create compelling solutions to problems.

Supported by the University's Careers Network team, you will be encouraged to acquire and develop your skills for the jobs of tomorrow. Throughout the course of your degree, you will develop a range of abilities from communication to research, analysis to leadership which will equip you to succeed.

Many graduates find employment in areas far removed from their primary area of study at University – or are likely to change careers several times in their lives, sometimes engaging in a wider range of jobs with the same employer. Our Natural Sciences programme recognises this phenomenon and is designed to meet the growing demand from leading employers in the UK and internationally, for a new breed of dynamic business, public service, and political leaders.

Internationally, Natural Sciences graduates progress to the legal professions, major consultancy and management firms, postgraduate study or graduate entry to medicine (subject to following an appropriate pathway during the programme). 

Besides this, you'll benefit from unparalleled support. You will not only have the opportunity to learn from a Birmingham graduate through our alumni mentoring programme, but you'll have dedicated support for finding internships and making appropriate choices to become an influential graduate in your own right.