Natural Sciences BSc (Hons)

Durham University

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.