Entry Requirements
The standard entry requirements for all of our courses are AAA at A level with at least two of these being in science subjects and to grade B in GCSE mathematics. We do have other terms depending on your choice of course.
Study up to three different subjects for the whole of your degree
Create your own modular degree from over 100 possible degree combinations.
Lancaster University is among the best in the UK - appearing in the Top 20 for all major national league tables.
Natural Sciences is a challenging degree that allows you to study across all of the scientific disciplines and to spend a year overseas broadening your horizons. Our pathways let you customise your degree to suit your interests.
If you are interested in more than one scientific subject and want the opportunity spend a year studying in another country, our Natural Sciences Study Abroad programme is ideal. The course allows you to combine up to three different subjects, while your year abroad allows you to experience a different culture and society at one of our partner universities. As you progress through the course you can maintain a breadth of study or choose to become more specialised. Either way, our Natural Sciences degree is designed to challenge the brightest students who are highly motivated and prepared to apply themselves across multiple boundaries. You can choose pathways from ten subject areas that can be combined together to create a purpose built degree programme. The science subjects are:
In the first year, all students begin with three pathways. You must choose two science pathways, and a third that can either be another science topic or you can select from elsewhere across the University, including a range of humanities and social sciences. You will be taught by academic staff who are leaders in their field, gaining a comprehensive understanding of your chosen subjects. You will also develop important skills and technical knowledge specific to each discipline, as well as interdisciplinary skills, such as data handling, analysis and evaluation, plus laboratory, IT and specialist software skills.
At the end of the first year, you will have the opportunity to choose whether or not to continue with three subjects or to just focus on two sciences, to suit your goals and ambitions.
In your second year, you will continue to develop the skills learned in the first and you will have the opportunity to utilise and practice the knowledge and experience you have gained so far. In addition, many of the modules will allow you to progress your project management, research and professional skills, as well as further enhancing your technical ability.
You will spend your third year studying at one of our partner institutions in North America, Australia or New Zealand. There you will benefit from an enriching experience and will broaden your horizons, while continuing your specialist studies and developing new academic networks.
Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.
Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.
During the final year, you will delve deeper into the topics that interested you previously and much of what you explore will be guided by what you studied in second year. This year, you will firmly cement your learning by applying your skills and experience to a major research project or dissertation. Depending on your chosen pathway, you may also have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement, further developing your professional skills and giving you valuable experience in preparation for your career.
Our Natural Sciences graduates benefit from the widest range of career opportunities. The flexibility of the programme means that you can transition into a career from any scientific discipline, whether it is in biology, chemistry, computing, engineering, mathematics, physics, or many more. With subject specific knowledge, specialist technical skills, and a range of valuable transferable skills, such as data handling, problem-solving, IT, project management and analysis, you can chart a course to a career in almost any industry. Graduating from this programme, you can honestly say the possibilities are endless.
A Level AAA
Required Subjects A level grade A in two sciences from the following; Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
Subject Specialisms There are a number of Study Pathways available in the Natural Sciences degree programme, some of which require specific subject prerequisites. Please refer to the Natural Sciences webpages for detail of subjects that may be required.
GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including two science subjects at HL grade 6
BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction to include sufficient science. We require Distinctions in majority of relevant science units. We will assess the qualification on an individual basis and will look for substantial study of relevant science at Distinction level. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Detailed module information for this undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2023/24 entry fees have not yet been set.
At Lancaster, we believe that funding concerns should not stop any student with the talent to thrive.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help cover the cost of tuition fees and/or living expenses.
Dependent on subject choice the course offers optional field trips which may incur travel costs.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities.
For students starting in 2022, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2023 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
Fees are set by the UK Government annually, and subsequent years' fees may be subject to increases. For international applicants starting in 2022, any annual increase will be capped at 4% of the previous year's fee.
I was in my final year in high school, and I was initially looking for a degree that wouldn't constrain me to only one science, because I couldn't decide between them and wanted to do all of them. When I came across Lancaster - I saw its ranking position, and then the first thing that caught my eye was the campus - I did a virtual campus tour because I'm from Romania and couldn't come to an Open Day. It was amazing - I was like "this looks like the place for me!"
The flexibility of the degree is what I loved because not every university offers that level of control over all of your choices. In the first year, they tell you everything that you can do in your degree, so that makes it easier for you to choose what modules you want in your second and third year. I chose only the modules I wanted to do, and that was fantastic because it made me feel enthused - wanting to go to the lectures and wanting to go to the seminars because it's topics that you're interested in.
I feel I've made Lancaster my own little home. I have never been homesick, and I think that was because there were lots of activities to get involved in. Making friends at university wasn't scary at all, everybody was so nice and helpful. I found people were open and wanted to meet you and speak about different interests that you had in common. I'm now living in the city, and I find it amazing. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends at societies and socials.
Sandra Georgescu, BSc Hons Natural Sciences
The information on this site relates primarily to 2023/2024 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
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