Undergraduate 27/28 NS

UCL Natural Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree designed to reflect modern scientific research and career pathways. It allows you to study across multiple scientific disciplines while developing a strong core scientific foundation.

Specialisms are interdisciplinary study combinations that act as the focal point of your degree. They shape your core curriculum and reflect real-world scientific challenges and career opportunities.

When you start your course you will choose a combination of three scientific disciplines. You will continue to study these throughout the first year, before choosing a specialism from within the subject areas that you selected. 

The Natural Sciences specialisms are interdisciplinary study combinations designed to reflect contemporary scientific research and career opportunities. Your choice of specialism will act as a focal point around which your core curriculum is organised. 

Within each specialism you will study core content alongside a range of optional modules. Some choices may relate very closely to the title of your specialism, whilst others are included to provide additional breadth. 

Natural Sciences offers a highly distinctive curriculum by combining modules taught by different departments.

The programme is highly flexible. Within your specialism, you will study required core modules alongside a range of optional modules. Some modules closely align with your specialism, while others broaden your scientific knowledge.

The Natural Sciences specialisms are interdisciplinary study combinations designed to reflect contemporary scientific research and career opportunities. Your choice of specialism will act as a focal point around which your core curriculum is organised. 

Within each specialism, you will study core content alongside a range of optional modules. Some choices may relate very closely to the title of your specialism, whilst others are included to provide additional breadth.

At the start of the course, you will choose three scientific disciplines. You will study all three throughout your first year. After Year 1, you will select a specialism based on these subject areas.

The programme combines modules taught by multiple UCL departments, giving you a genuinely interdisciplinary experience and exposure to different scientific approaches.

Yes. By your third year, you will undertake a supervised interdisciplinary research project related to your specialism, alongside advanced-level taught modules.

Yes. Some students can apply to study abroad, which is optional and competitive. Applications are made during the second year, and successful students spend an additional year at a host university between Years 2 and 3, extending the degree by one year.

The Natural Sciences BSc also offers some students the opportunity to study abroad. This can offer many benefits that are attractive to employers, such as adaptability, global awareness, improved communication, confidence, and independence. Studying abroad is optional, and places are not guaranteed. Applications are made during the second year and successful applicants complete an additional year at a host university between their second and third years, extending the degree by one year.

• BSc Natural Sciences (3 years, or 4 with study abroad) provides a strong foundation for careers outside academic research or for further Master’s study.
• MSci Natural Sciences is a four-year degree offering advanced preparation for research-focused careers or PhD study. The final year includes a major research project and Master’s-level modules.

Natural Sciences is also offered as a four-year MSci, which extends the course by a year. In the final year of the MSci, students complete a major research project and take Masters-level taught modules.

Many students choose a BSc degree as a foundation for a career outside academic research. However, it also provides a strong basis for further study at Master’s level. Similarly, the MSci offers more advanced preparation for careers or further research such as PhD study.

Yes. Transfer is permitted if your academic performance is consistently at a 2:1 level or higher. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the MSci initially to keep more options open.