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 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).

Opportunities for you

Four core disciplines (Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Geology) also allow you to progress to a fourth year of study for an integrated Master's degree (MSci) award. If taking one of these four core disciplines you are able to switch between the BSc and MSci routes 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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

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.