Two degree programmes at Keele University are among the first in the country to be accredited by a prestigious scientific body.

The Society for Natural Sciences has announced the first UK institutions whose Natural Sciences degree programmes have received their accreditation, to recognise their outstanding quality in providing interdisciplinary scientific education.

Universities such as Keele whose degrees have been accredited by the Society for Natural Sciences have demonstrated that they provide students with excellent learning opportunities and skills development, to prepare them for future careers in research, education, business or industry.

Dr Adam Moolna, Programme Director for BSc and MSci Natural Sciences at Keele University said: “We have a fantastic group of students passionately engaged in interdisciplinary learning on our Natural Sciences degrees. These highly interactive programmes have evolved and developed in partnership with our students. We're delighted to have been accredited in recognition of our standards and thank the Society for Natural Sciences for their support as a wider network pushing forward such promising areas of university education.”

Dr Katie Szkornik, Dean of Education for the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Keele University said: "We are renowned in the Faculty of Natural Sciences for our interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach in both research and education. Our Natural Sciences degree programmes draw upon the interdisciplinary expertise within the Faculty and University and continue to build upon this tradition.

“We are delighted that our BSc Natural Sciences degrees are among the first in the UK to be accredited and recognised as offering an outstanding quality interdisciplinary science education. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues in the Faculty who contribute to the delivery of these innovative degree programmes."

Professor Nicky King, Chair of the Society for Natural Sciences, added: “We are proud to have implemented this first of its kind interdisciplinary accreditation scheme, which is already improving the way interdisciplinary science is taught in the UK. We’re delighted for all those successful institutions and hope this is just the start of a rewarding partnership with them, and others who apply in the future, to continue to raise both standards and opportunities for studying interdisciplinary science in the UK.”