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.

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

• BTEC requirements DDM
• You must have taken sufficient Science units, please contact us for advice

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.  

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

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.