Study Pathways

You will study organisms and the environment, and how human activities can change them. Biological mechanisms relate to the environmental challenges of the 21st century. These include environmental pollution, sustainability and conservation.

Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

Biochemistry examines the structure and relationship of cells to the metabolism. You will learn the physical processes underlying cellular functions. Cell biology covers the interactions within and between cells which allow them to function. You will also investigate Genetics, examining the mechanisms of heredity. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Chemistry A level

You will receive a thorough grounding in ecological theory. Interactions between organisms, the environment and humanity are often complex. This Pathway has a strong emphasis on fieldwork, designed to encourage you to develop practical skills. 

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

This pathway contains a balanced mixture of biochemistry, microbiology and physiology. You will study the relevance of microbiology to human affairs and whether the connection is direct or indirect. Some modules deal with one group of microbes, others examine relationships between different groups of microbes. 

You will study the theory and practices of physical, analytical, and computational chemistry. You will learn the measurement, rationalisation, and prediction of the chemical and physical properties of individual molecules and bulk materials. This will prepare you for potential research projects in your final year. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Chemistry A level

Chemical synthesis concerns the creation of new molecules. You will begin to understand molecular reactivity and mechanism. You will learn techniques to design and synthesise molecules, and how we measure their properties. This pathway will develop your knowledge and skills, and prepare you for research projects in your final year. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Chemistry A level

Environmental chemistry investigates the chemistry of the aqueous, atmospheric and terrestrial environments. You will study chemistry whilst learning the techniques of environmental method analysis. This will introduce you to environmental planning and assessment.

Double Weighted Pathway: Due to the complexity of this subject and the background knowledge it requires in later years, this pathway is double weighted. As such you can only take one other pathway with this option. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Chemistry A level and Mathematics A level

*Some field trips will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

This Pathway explores the theory and practice of innovative and experimental computing, allowing you to develop well-rounded professional and technical skills. Areas covered include programming and software development, the theory of computation, human-computer interaction, digital media and its applications.

Chemical Engineering influences numerous areas of technology. These pathways will help you to develop the skills needed to conceive and design processes for the production, transformation and transportation of materials. 

Double Weighted Pathway: Due to the complexity of this subject and the background knowledge it requires in later years, this pathway is double weighted. As such you can only take one other pathway with this option.

Please note: this pathway requires a Chemistry A level and a Mathematics A level.

You will develop a sound foundation of the subject that is crucial to the design and manufacture of future systems. You will have the opportunity to specialise in areas including wireless communications, silicon chip design, nanotechnology, green technologies and power generation. 

Double Weighted Pathway: Due to the complexity of this subject and the background knowledge it requires in later years, this pathway is double weighted. As such you can only take one other pathway with this option. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Physics A level and a Mathematics A level.

Our programme will give you the skills necessary for the subject, with an applied focus on mechanical systems designs. 

Double Weighted Pathway: Due to the complexity of this subject and the background knowledge it requires in later years, this pathway is double weighted. As such you can only take one other pathway with this option. 

Please note, this pathway requires a Physics A level and a Mathematics A level.

The solid rocks that comprise Earth’s upper crust contain a record of change driven by processes originating from the core to the atmosphere over a period exceeding 2 billion years. This Pathway provides the basic skills needed to read this record and understand how Earth has evolved over both long and short periods of time. You will have the opportunity to take a number of field-based modules in both the UK and abroad.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

Interactions between organisms, the environment and humanity are often complex. You will receive a thorough grounding in ecological theory and how these biological principles relate to the conservation of wildlife and ecological habitats. The pathway also concerns the practice of ecology and has a strong fieldwork component designed to encourage you to develop your practical skills.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

This Pathway aims to train you in those areas of natural science (including chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, geology, physical geography) that are used to understand natural and anthropogenic processes on the surface of the Earth, rivers, lakes, oceans and the atmosphere, as well as Earth’s internal processes, against the backdrop of environmental change.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

This pathway provides you with an understanding of society, culture, development and issues of globalisation within a framework of environmental issues in the 21st century. 

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

You will learn about the main components of our ‘Earth-system’, how environments have changed in the past, what controls the dynamics of environments in the present, and how we can predict changes in the future. All this is studied in the context of an interconnected planet. 

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

Single Maths allows students to continue their study of Maths at degree level in a top-ranking department. This pathway focuses on both pure mathematics and statistics with an emphasis on solving practical problems. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Mathematics A level.

Double Weighted Pathway: If you wish to focus your studies on mathematics, we also offer a double-weighted pathway that allows you to study the subject in greater detail. This incorporates the modules listed above and gives students the opportunity to concentrate on theoretical problems. As such, you can only take one other pathway with this option. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Mathematics A level.

If you are interested in science and physical education, this Pathway provides a solid foundation in application and performance modules. These will help to increase your understanding of the functions and regulations of the human body and physiological integration of the systems.

*Modules subject to approval

You will gain a working knowledge and understanding of the physics of fluids and solids, especially their thermal and electrical properties, with an emphasis also on computing, classical mechanics and quantum physics.

Double Weighted Pathway: This pathway requires a set of first-year maths-based modules, either through the Physics Department (under the heading Physical Systems) or the Mathematics Department (under the heading Single Mathematics). As such, students taking Physics can only take one other pathway in addition to either of the supporting maths pathways. 

Please note: this pathway requires a Physics A level and a Mathematics A level.

This pathway develops your range of knowledge and skills in order to continue your study of psychology at degree level.

Double Weighted Pathway: This double-weighted pathway allows you to study psychology and receive accreditation for the British Psychological Society. It can only be taken alongside one other pathway and cannot be taken by BSc students intending to study abroad due to the accreditation regulations.