Department of Natural Sciences | BSc Natural Sciences (with Year Abroad)

BSc Natural Sciences (with Year Abroad) at Durham University

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The BSc Natural Sciences degree is a cross-disciplinary degree that puts you in control. By combining sciences with subjects from across the wider University you can tailor your qualification to your specific interests and career goals.

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 Joint Honours and the BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences. 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. 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.

The decision to follow a Joint Honours degree in two subjects, or a Natural Sciences degree selected from a broader range of subjects, is normally taken at the end of the first year of study. It is also possible to adjust the subjects taken at that point, subject to availability, timetabling and the student’s levels of attainment through the first year. It is also possible at that point, again subject to attainment, to move to a Single Honours degree in one of the subjects studied.

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