BSc Natural Sciences
| UCAS code | CGF0 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2027 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A levels: AAA |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: AAC |
Why study BSc Natural Sciences at Exeter?
Combine Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Medical Sciences without pathways or boundaries on our Natural Sciences degree
- Study at the frontiers of knowledge and take an active part in research
- Join a close community of highly skilled and recognised scientists
- Contribute to our understanding of critical global issues, such as climate change, ageing society and food security - many of our students publish their work as early as year 2.
- You may also be interested in our four-year MSci Natural Sciences, or our BSc Natural Sciences with Foundation Year.
1st in the sector for student satisfaction in 4 out of 7 themes
National Student Survey 2025: Natural Sciences
2nd in the UK for Natural Sciences
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Study across Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics
Spend time at a university abroad as part of your degree
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAA | A in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Further Mathematics and A in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics |
| IB | 36/666 | HL6 in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) and HL6 in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Applicants with Mathematics SL7 plus HL6 in two from Physics, Chemistry or Biology will also be considered) |
| BTEC | DDD |
Applicants studying the BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma, or Extended Certificate, in Applied Human Biology will be considered without a GCE A-Level in either Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. GCE A-Level Mathematics is still required.
Applicants taking the BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma, or Extended Certificate in Applied Science will be considered dependent on modules taken. GCE A-Level Maths is still required. Applications will be referred to the Admissions tutor for consideration. |
| GCSE | 4 or C | Grade 4/C in GCSE English language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade | 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area and 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in either a Biology, Chemistry or Physics subject area |
| T-Level | T-Levels not accepted | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: AAC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
International Foundation programmes
Prepare for entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree with the Exeter International Foundation course.
Accreditations
This programme is accredited to meet the educational requirements of the Society of Natural Sciences (SocNatSci).
I chose Natural Sciences at Exeter because of the variety of modules available, with options that I knew I’d enjoy and the chance to try new things. It’s really broadened my knowledge across all sciences, especially physics which I didn’t have an A-level in.
Lucie
Studying Natural Sciences
Course content
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
Your first year will be made up of four modules through which you’ll be introduced to interdisciplinary research, ideas and philosophy which form the basis of Natural Sciences. You’ll explore experimental science in the lab where you’ll complete a series of experiments that complement your lectures.
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSC1002 | Mathematics and Computing: Integrative Tools for Natural Sciences | 30 |
| NSC1003 | Foundations in Natural Science | 60 |
| NSC1004 | Experimental Science | 15 |
| NSC1005 | Frontiers in Science 1 | 15 |
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
As you move in to your second year a wide range of optional modules from across physics, biology, maths and natural sciences will be available, giving you a great amount of freedom to follow your interests. You’ll also design, build and run an extended experiment as part of ‘Frontiers of Science 2’.
Up to 30 credits may be taken from other relevant University modules, for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor.
30 credits of compulsory modules, at least 60 credits of optional modules and up to 30 credits of elective modules.
You must select at least four optional modules from the list below. The remaining 30 credits will usually also be taken from the list below. However, exceptionally, up to 30 credits may instead be taken from other relevant University modules, for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor or Natural Sciences leadership team.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSC2001 | Frontiers in Science 2 | 30 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NatSci BSc-MSci Stage 2 optional modules 2025-6 | ||
| BIO2076 | Ecology and Environment | 15 |
| BIO2085 | Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds II | 15 |
| BIO2088 | Advanced Cell Biology | 15 |
| BIO2090 | Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry | 15 |
| BIO2091 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | 15 |
| BIO2092 | Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics | 15 |
| MTH2003 | Differential Equations | 15 |
| MTH2004 | Vector Calculus and Applications | 15 |
| NSC2002 | Physical Chemistry | 15 |
| NSC2003 | Introduction to Numerics and Simulation for Scientists | 15 |
| PHY2030 | Observing the Universe | 15 |
| PHY2029 | The Physics of Living Systems | 15 |
| PHY2021 | Electromagnetism I | 15 |
| PHY2022 | Quantum Mechanics I | 15 |
| PHY2023 | Thermal Physics | 15 |
| PHY2024 | Condensed Matter I | 15 |
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
Your final year includes two major projects. The Research Project will see you working on current research being undertaken by one of the University’s research groups while the Group Project will involve working as a team with other finalists to complete a project of your choosing. Group projects typically involve a piece of scientific research, but could also be related to outreach, widening participation or work aimed at encouraging greater gender equality within the sciences. In addition to these projects you will choose three optional modules. An indicative list is provided below but this list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to look at the range of modules on offer across the University.
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of elective modules.
You must select 60 credits of elective modules at least 30 of which must be at level 6. You may select up to 30 credits from the Stage 2 (level 5) optional module list (see above) assuming you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You may also take other relevant University modules for which you have the necessary pre-requisites, and with agreement with your Personal Tutor. An indicative list of optional modules is provided below but this list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to look at the range of modules on offer across the University.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSC3001 | BSc Research Project | 30 |
| NSC3003 | Group Project | 30 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NatSci BSc-MSci Stage 3 optional modules 2025-6 | ||
| BIO3037 | Ecology of Environmental Change | 15 |
| BIO3041 | Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry | 15 |
| BIO3073 | Specialist Topics in Chemical Sciences | 15 |
| BIO3077 | Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 |
| BIO3089 | Organic Synthesis and Drug Design | 15 |
| BIO3092 | Bioinformatics | 15 |
| MTH3006 | Mathematical Biology and Ecology | 15 |
| MTH3007 | Fluid Dynamics | 15 |
| MTH3019 | Mathematics: History and Culture | 15 |
| MTH3030 | Mathematics of Climate Change | 15 |
| MTH3047 | Mathematics for Environment and Sustainability | 15 |
| NSC3007 | Macromolecular and Supramolecular Chemistry | 15 |
| NSC3008 | Symmetry and Statistics of Molecules | 15 |
| NSC3009 | Aerosols, Clouds and Climate | 15 |
| PHY3052 | Nuclear and High Energy Particle Physics | 15 |
| PHY3061 | The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues | 15 |
| PHY3067 | Energy and the Environment | 15 |
Fees
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
UK students: £9,790 per year
International students: £31,200 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. We also provide scholarships for sport, music and other achievements, alongside regional and partner awards such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. Financial support is available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details.
Learning and teaching
Our Natural Sciences degree will place you at the heart of a community of internationally respected scientists, who are exploring some of the most important developments of the future, and whose enthusiasm for research is matched by their passion for teaching. We believe every student benefits from being part of a research-inspired culture and being taught by experts – you will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials.
You will learn through practical work, problem-solving, project work, team work and research projects - key qualities for success for the rest of your degree and your future career. Working through examples, solving problems and developing your mathematical and analytical skills are a vital part of being a scientist, so coursework forms a component of most modules. Modules will have a reading list that might consist of chapters from textbooks and research articles from journals.
Excellent student-to-staff ratios, small group tutorials and accessible staff will mean you’re well supported throughout your degree. In all years you will be offered personal tutoring in small groups with an academic who you will see every week.
You will be expected to undertake independent and self-motivated study as part of your degree and should expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time. We will support you in learning to work independently and becoming a scientific thinker – these skills are not easy to acquire but we will be on-hand to guide you throughout the programme.
Assessment
You will be assessed in all years through a variety of means. These will include coursework, exams, written reports or presentations amongst others. You must pass your first year assessment in order to progress to the second year, but the results do not count towards your degree classification and the assessment will not disadvantage students who did not study all subjects at A level.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Minors: Future Skills Pathways
You can study a Future Skills Pathway alongside your main degree by choosing up to 30 credits of modules from a different subject area in your second and final years.
Your future
Our aim is to teach a syllabus that you will find intellectually challenging, rewarding and stimulating. In addition, to help you develop as a scientist so that you can make a real contribution to the exciting research taking place at the University of Exeter and to important scientific developments long after your graduation.
Many employers look for graduates with a background in a broad based multidisciplinary science degree, as it allows them to tackle problems holistically.
This course will help you to develop a wide range of key skills for employment and further study such as analytical problem solving, teamwork, and organising and communicating information.
Graduates of this degree are highly employable and have found positions working in a wide variety of related roles including laboratory-based positions, industry, law, business, management, teaching and government.
Career Paths
The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Natural Sciences but also in wider fields. Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:
- Academic Researcher Auditor
- Bioinformatics Research Assistant
- Consultant
- Financial Analyst
- Policy Adviser
- Research and Development Scientist
- Risk Culture Business Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Trainee Operational Meteorologist
