The Natural Sciences BSc enables students to combine more than one science subject, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of high-quality, internationally leading research undertaken at UCL. The programme enables students who wish to maintain a breadth of science subjects to design a unique degree which is suited to their personal interests.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme
Pass in Access to HE Diploma, with a minimum of 28 credits awarded with Distinction in the Level 3 units, the remainder of the Level 3 units awarded with Merit.
D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. To include any two subjects from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geology.
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, Biology or Geology at Advanced Higher.
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, Biology or Geology.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
The unique core stream structure provides you with module options from across the spectrum of science disciplines.
You may broaden your knowledge further by taking optional modules in non-science subjects such as languages, management studies, computing and statistics.
While the programme offers a high level of flexibility, the core streams offer you a structured pathway to enable specialisation.
Members of our teaching staff are experts in their various fields and are active in research, so you will benefit from their cutting-edge knowledge in your lectures and tutorials.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
The programme is divided into two main subjects or streams, which are chosen in the first year and followed for the duration of the programme. One will become your major stream, while the other will become your minor stream.
All students undertake a mathematics module and three foundation modules in the first year. Equal weighting is applied to the major and minor stream in the first and second years. During the final year of the BSc, the balance of study shifts towards your chosen major stream whilst you still continue with the minor stream.
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.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
The first term comprises a compulsory mathematics module and foundation modules introducing the streams that are offered. You will select three foundation modules from the following:
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Life Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Physics and Astronomy
Science and Technology Studies
In your second term you will choose two core streams from the following areas:
Astrophysics
Biomedical Science
Earth and Environment
Genetics, Evolution and Environment
Geophysical Sciences
History and Philosophy of Science**
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
Mathematics and Statistics*
Medical Physics
Molecular and Cell Biology
Organic Chemistry
Neuroscience and Psychology
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Policy, Communication and Ethics**
*May only be pursued as a minor stream after year two
**May only be pursued as a major stream in the BSc; MSci students may only take it as a minor.
You will take modules in your two core streams. Both streams have equal weighting, amounting to 45 credits of core (mandatory) modules per stream, plus a compulsory Scientific Communication and Computing module. At the end of the second year, you will choose one of the streams as a major stream.
You can select one optional module, worth 15 credits. This can be taken outside the main Natural Sciences subject areas, for example in foreign languages, management, etc.
Major stream: You will take 60 credits in your major stream including a compulsory literature review (15 credits).
Minor stream: You will take 45 credits in your minor stream.
You can select one optional module worth 15 credits.
A variety of teaching methods are employed, including lecture classes, practical sessions such as laboratory or fieldwork (dependent on stream choice), and small-group tutorials. You will also be expected to spend a substantial amount of time on coursework and private study.
Assessment is primarily through end-of-year examinations for lecture-based modules, whereas practical work is continuously assessed. Coursework is important and must be passed to allow progression from one year to the next.
Detailed module descriptions are available on the department website: Natural Sciences BSc.
The programme provides an all-round scientific education in its own right. On completion of your degree, you will have cultivated transferable skills and the ability to solve problems in a quantitative way and to see science in a modern context.
You could choose to specialise in a defined, but usually interdisciplinary, science field and proceed to study for a wide range of possible postgraduate degree and doctoral programmes. Alternatively, you will be equipped to pursue many career options, for example, as a scientific journalist, in science teaching, as a management consultant or in finance and banking.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2019/20 academic year. The UK/EU 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 2019/20 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.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
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.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
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.
In addition to essential academic requirements, we are looking for evidence of your motivation to pursue a degree in Natural Sciences. This could be demonstrated through examples of any relevant work, experience, attendance at scientific exhibitions or festivals, or from details of academic project work in which you have been involved.
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.
Application deadline: 15 January 2019
If you are based in the UK and your application demonstrates you have the potential to meet our academic requirements, you will normally be invited to a departmental open day. This will be relatively informal and will give you the opportunity to meet with staff and current students, and to see UCL.
If you are based overseas we will 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. However, if it is possible for you to visit UCL before accepting an offer of a place we encourage you to do so; after all, you are committing yourself to three or four years of study so you will want to be comfortable with your surroundings and facilities.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.