Natural Sciences BSc

London, Bloomsbury
Natural Sciences BSc (2023)

Natural Sciences enables students to combine science subject areas, known as streams, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of high-quality, internationally leading research undertaken at UCL. The BSc programme follows the same structure as the first three years of the MSci.

If students are unsure whether to pick the BSc or MSci, they are advised to apply for the MSci initially, although transfer between the two programmes up to the end of the third year is straightforward.

UK students

International students

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 academic years

UK tuition fees (2023/24)

£9,250

Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)

£35,000

Programme starts

September 2024

Application deadline

31 Jan 2024

UCAS course code

CFG0

Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels
IB Diploma
Other qualifications

Grades: A*AA
Subjects: Any two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
: Please note: certain streams may have prerequisites of particular grades and/or subjects at A level or equivalent; further details can be found on the Natural Sciences website.
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.

Contextual offer information

Grades: BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects: Any two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.

Points: 39
Subjects: A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects including grade 6 in two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points: 32 more about contextual offers
Subjects: A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA. To include any two subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). To include any two subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology at Advanced Higher.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. To include any two subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Select your country

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.

Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

The vision behind the Natural Sciences Programmes is to offer distinctive cross-disciplinary subject combinations that would not be available within any single department, by exploiting a vast range or existing scientific learning opportunities.

We want our students to be comfortable crossing artificial subject boundaries, collaborating, and making connections in their professional life, whilst also benefitting from a deep level of expertise and knowledge that ensures they can compete on specialist terms for employment or further study with graduates from single discipline programmes.

We achieve this balance through carefully structured curricula that enable our students to access teaching across departments and divisions, at all undergraduate levels of study. Many classes are taken alongside students who are studying for degrees in a single discipline.

The programme is sub-divided into many different subject “streams”, which broadly reflect major research themes and similar specialist science degree subjects. A combination of two streams is selected early in the programme from a long list of available options and is followed for the duration of the degree. The curriculum design for each stream combination ensures that in years one and two there is strong cross-disciplinary emphasis on core knowledge, whilst in the third and fourth years there is scope for students to exercise their diverse interests.

What this course will give you

Ranked in the top 4 in the UK by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Natural Sciences, our degree programmes allow you to study a distinctive cross-disciplinary science curriculum by combining classes across different departments.

We want you to be comfortable crossing artificial subject boundaries, collaborating, and making connections in your professional life, whilst also benefitting from a level of expertise and knowledge that ensures you can compete on specialist terms for employment or further study with graduates from single discipline programmes.

You will study science subjects with the same rigour and quality as students on single subject programmes. Many of you classes will be taken alongside students who are studying for degrees in a single discipline.

The foundation of your career

Our programme is one of the largest and most comprehensive Natural Sciences courses in the UK. Our graduates have progressed to a diverse range of exciting graduate careers, including research, teaching, finance, management, consulting, technology, and science journalism, to name just a few.

Employability

On completion of your degree you will be able to

demonstrate coherent, detailed knowledge in two complementary scientific disciplines
apply accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry
describe and comment upon current scientific research and advanced scholarship

Crucially, you will also benefit from the opportunity to adapt and apply your learning across boundaries, developing your abilities to draw connections between topics and develop unique insights. This may make you a highly attractive candidate for some some career opportunities.

You should expect to compete successfully for jobs and further study opportunities in the sectors relevant to your main areas of study. Recent graduates have gone into areas such as technology, finance, law and the civil service. Further postgraduate study is also a common destination for leaving students. The most popular industry sectors for Natural Sciences graduates include:

Accountancy & Financial Services
IT, Technology & Telecomms
Publishing, Journalism, or Translation
Teaching or other educational activities

During your studies you will gain experience using e-learning technologies and you will produce a variety of outputs such as word-processed documents, posters and infographics, presentations, or recordings. You will write your own computer code and will develop your oral and written communication of science through a diverse range of assessments.

Problem solving and data analytic skills are extensively developed across a large fraction of the modules that you will have access to, and the ability to apply these skills to tackle unseen and interdisciplinary problems is challenged and evidenced via project work. Independent critical thinking and creativity are similarly encouraged and developed. All this project work requires excellent team work and leadership skills, and ability to manage projects. You will be trained in these skills in the programme core modules. Some students develop these attributes further via roles such as Student Academic Representative, Transition Mentor, or leadership roles within the NatSci Student Society.

In the third year literature project module, “critique” and “insight” are key assessment criteria, and the meanings of these terms are discussed in workshops. You will develop your critical thinking and creativity as you move through the programme, via assessments requiring increased levels of sophistication such as open-ended and long-form essay questions or journal clubs.

These attributes are common to all Natural Sciences students, but you will develop greater sophistication in some aspects through the study of your two streams. For instance, students who specialise in Mathematics and Statistics or Physics can expect to develop high levels of proficiency in computing; students who take History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science can expect to become highly developed communicators with excellent understanding of ethical issues in science. Some students may also have opportunities to use specialist instrumentation.

Accreditation

Society for Natural Sciences Accredited Degree.

These accredited programmes have achieved the standards set out in the Society’s accreditation framework and are recognised as offering outstanding quality interdisciplinary science education, providing students with excellent learning opportunities and skills development to prepare them for future careers in research, education, business or industry.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students

International students

Fee description
Full-time

Tuition fees (2023/24)

£9,250

Tuition fees (2023/24)

£35,000

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL’s tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

Typically there are not additional associated costs that students are likely to incur, although this may vary from stream to steam. There are field trips on the Earth and Environment and Geophysical Sciences streams, although all such modules are optional. Students are typically expected to cover train travel and smaller costs such as lunches, which in total can cost between £200-400.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We would like to receive applications from students who…
• excel in (and enjoy) more than one area of science
• appreciate different scientific perspectives
• can make links between traditional subjects or disciplines
• wish to develop a scientific specialisation
• are resilient, determined and enjoy a challenge
• are independent, organised, resourceful

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL’s selection process see: How we assess your application.

We will normally make any decision to offer you a place based on the content of your UCAS application including your personal statement and your teacher’s reference. In circumstances where additional information is needed, we may contact you to request this or invite you to an interview (which may be conducted remotely, online).

Your personal statement should clearly demonstrate your interest in sciences and the rationale for applying to the Natural Sciences degree. If you apply before the UCAS application deadline, you will be invited to attend a departmental open day, which may be either online or on campus. This will give you an opportunity to meet with staff and current students, and to hear more about our department and university.

If it is possible for you to visit UCL before accepting an offer of a place, we encourage you to do so. This will help you to decide if the university environment seems like a place where you will be happy studying for three or four years.