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    Natural Sciences - BSc (Hons)

    Year of entry
    2021
    Course type
    Single Honours
    Duration of study
    3 years/ 4 years with International Year
    Location
    Keele University campus
    Subject area / School
    School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
    UCAS code
    CFG0

      Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

      Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.











      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

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      By selecting no to the preferences above you will have unsubscribed, however, this does not mean that your data has been deleted. If you would like to invoke your right to be forgotten please refer to the section below.

      What to do if I change my mind?

      To change your preferences after you have closed this form, simply reopen the link to this page. For further information about how your data is held, including your right to be forgotten, please contact dpa@keele.ac.uk
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    Course overview

    Study diverse sciences on a rigorous and stimulating Single Honours course. The Natural Sciences programme offers much more than studying core sciences in parallel - it's about how you genuinely combine sciences in transdisciplinary approaches and how to develop your abilities to apply sciences to new situations and real world scenarios.

      Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

      Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.











      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

      Your Preferences




      What we’re going to do with your data and why?

      We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

      We would also like to send you useful information about studying at University (particularly Keele) and/or the courses that you have shown an interest in. To do this we need your consent and information on which communication channels you would like to hear from us on (please see opt-in boxes above).

      We will never sell your data to a third party. We only ever share data with companies involved in helping us communicate with you or helping us to manage your data (examples include; Online forms, Printers, Postal services, other University partners etc).

      How long are we keeping it?

      We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

      Unsubscribe

      By selecting no to the preferences above you will have unsubscribed, however, this does not mean that your data has been deleted. If you would like to invoke your right to be forgotten please refer to the section below.

      What to do if I change my mind?

      To change your preferences after you have closed this form, simply reopen the link to this page. For further information about how your data is held, including your right to be forgotten, please contact dpa@keele.ac.uk

    Gold

    In the Teaching Excellence Framework Also Top 5 in the UK (THE ranking, broad-based universities)

    Top 3

    in England for overall Student Satisfaction NSS 2019 (broad-based universities)

    97%

    of research world leading, or of international importance Research Excellence Framework, 2014

    Student testimonials

    Student, Duwaraga Manoharan

    Duwaraga Manoharan, Natural Sciences with Science Foundation Year

    "I liked the diverse modules that I undertook as I was able to partake in various laboratory practicals ranging from blood group testing to fingerprinting." - read more about Duwaraga Manoharan, Natural Sciences with Science Foundation Year

    Georgia Souter

    Georgia Souter, BSc Natural Sciences, 1st Year Student

    "The staff within Natural Sciences have all been brilliant and so supportive of my Keele journey thus far, there is a real 'family feel' and I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else for my degree" - read more about Georgia Souter, BSc Natural Sciences, 1st Year Student

    Soner Tehelcioglu

    Soner Tehelcioglu, BSc Natural Sciences, 2016-2019

    "I had an amazing learning experience thanks to the teaching staff, where they were always there to help support my development, both academically and personally" - read more about Soner Tehelcioglu, BSc Natural Sciences, 2016-2019

    Adam Yep

    Adam Yeo, BSc Natural Sciences, 2016-2019

    "I look back at my time at Keele with such happiness knowing that I made incredible friends and memories, and that what I accomplished has set me on my path to future success" - read more about Adam Yeo, BSc Natural Sciences, 2016-2019

    Course content

    Natural Sciences allows you to study a broad range of disciplines within a Single Honours programme. You choose one core discipline as a named route, accounting for half of your learning, that ensures you have a solid grounding in an established discipline. The remaining half of your learning is through an even mix of programme-specific interdisciplinary modules that cover the full range of disciplines offered by the programme and your own choice of elective modules that allows you to mix and match different subjects.

    The core disciplines you can choose from for 2021-22 entry are:

    From the School of Chemical & Physical Sciences

    • Chemistry
    • Forensic Science
    • Physics
    • Astrophysics

    From the School of Computing & Mathematics

    • Computer Science
    • Mathematics

    From the School of Geography, Geology & the Environment

    • Geography
    • Geology
    • Environmental Science

    From the School of Life Sciences

    • Biology

    From the School of Psychology

    • Psychology

    The programme-specific interdisciplinary sessions include shared learning with interdisciplinary Liberal Arts students to enable you to apply Natural Sciences effectively within the wider society in which we live and work. Each of the core disciplines offers modules from their programmes to Natural Sciences students as electives, giving you the opportunity to study any of the disciplines we cover (subject to timetabling restrictions and progression requirements).

    If you choose to study one of the four core disciplines (Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic Science or Geology), you may be interested in the Integrated Master's degree programme, MSci Natural Sciences. 

    Studying one of the four core disciplines also allows you to switch between the BSc to the MSci route before your third year of study. 

    At the end of your first year, there is flexibility to transfer between certain core discipline routes. You are also able to move over to a Single Honours degree in your core discipline if you decide you want to fully focus on that one discipline. Depending on the modules you have taken as electives, you may also be able to transfer onto a Combined Honours programme.

    Similarly, any first year student on a Combined or Single Honours programme at Keele that is available as a core Natural Sciences discipline is also welcome to transfer into the second year of Natural Sciences.

    You may also be interested in:

    Course structure

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

    Compulsory modules

    NAT-10001 Science and Society
    NAT-10005 Applied Interdisciplinary Science Case Studies

    Your chosen core discipline will then have a mix of compulsory (and sometimes optional) modules in alignment with the Combined Honours list for that subject.
    Compulsory modules

    NAT-20001 Research Skills for Natural Scientists
    NAT-20007 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Wicked Problems

    Your chosen core discipline will then have a mix of compulsory (and sometimes optional) modules in alignment with the Combined Honours list for that subject.
    Compulsory modules

    NAT-30001 Grand Challenges in Society
    NAT-30004 Natural Sciences and Grand Challenges Research Project

    Your chosen core discipline will then have a mix of compulsory and option modules in alignment with the Combined Honours list for that subject.

    Variations to 2020/21 courses

    Entry requirements

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

    A Level requirements

    • A Level requirement BBB/ABC
    • Including 2 Science A Levels. Science subjects could include Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths or Physics. 
    • The following additional entry requirements are required for students choosing these subjects as a 'core science':
    • Mathematics – grade B in A-level Mathematics 
    • Chemistry – grade B in A-level Chemistry 
    • Forensic Science – grade B in either A-Level Chemistry or Biology 
    • Life Sciences – grade B in A-level Chemistry or Biology 

    If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

    GCSE requirements

    • Maths at B (or 6) 
    • English at C (or 4)

    BTEC

    If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

    International Baccalaureate

    • 32 points to include 2 Higher level Science subjects at 6 or above. Science subjects could include Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths or Physics. 
    • Please note Core Sciences also have specific Science subject requirements e.g. Chemistry will require Higher Level Chemistry.

    Access to HE Diploma requirements

    • Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.  

    PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

    International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

    These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

    Foundation year

    You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

    If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

    Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

    The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

    The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

    For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

    Foundation year

    Foundation Year Overview

    If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into our BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree. 

    Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.

    Read on to find out about:

    • Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
    • Foundation Year entry requirements
    • How to apply
    • UCAS code for this course

    The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

    Course Content

    This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences degree. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do. 

    Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

    Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage. 

    Course Structure

    The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

    Students on the Natural Sciences with Foundation Year course will choose two sciences, which will be taught over both semesters(available combinations are subject to timetabling).  

    Semester One Modules

    Depending on the subject combination students will study a combination of the following core modules:

    FYO-00185 Practical and Academic Skills in Science 15 credits
    FYO-00211 Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists 15 credits
    FYO-00247 Foundations: Breaking the code - understanding academic writing 15 credits

    ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

    • Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
    • Relevant work experience

      AND

    • GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or 
    • IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

    AND

    • GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

    How to Apply 

    Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences with Foundation Year (UCAS code CFG1) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

    Direct Entry Students

    If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office  to enquire about direct entry onto this course.

    International Entry

    International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course may have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year stand-alone programme.

    Please visit the International Foundation Year pages for information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.

     

     

    Fees and funding

    Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

    We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

    For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

    Career prospects

    96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

    A degree in Natural Sciences from Keele will open up a huge range of careers (not just in the sciences) as well as opportunities for higher study. Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, achieving 96% graduate employability in 2017 in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey.  Employers value natural sciences graduates because of the breadth of their understanding and their independent and creative approach to problem solving.

    You’ll also have an excellent set of transferable skills, in areas such as communication, teamwork and the ability to assimilate and use information quickly and effectively.

    The four year MSci degree is ideally suited for those wanting to pursue a career in academic or commercial research. Keele has a long history of interdisciplinary research, teaching and learning, and a founding commitment to the development of graduates with the skills to address complex problems in changing workplaces.

    Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

    Additional opportunities

    Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Explore more

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