Natural Sciences (Placement Year)

There are many complex challenges in the world today which require scientists who can work at the interface of many disciplines, so if you love science, and want to study more than one subject as well as gain valuable experience in the workplace, study a BSc Hons Natural Sciences (Placement Year) with us. We offer one of the longest running and most flexible Natural Sciences degree schemes in the country. Choose pathways from ten subject areas across the physical and life sciences and connect with staff and students at the cutting-edge of these disciplines. It’s a challenging degree, and the reward is that you are uniquely positioned when you graduate, which opens a wealth of career options.

How our pathways work
Each pathway has a selection of core modules for building the scientific foundations of the discipline. Optional modules are tailored towards your interests and provide extra skills and knowledge. We offer pathways in:

• Biological Sciences

• Chemistry

• Computing

• Engineering

• Environmental and Earth Sciences

• Geography

• Mathematics

• Sports and Exercise Science

• Physics

• Psychology

What to expect
Year 1 starts with your choice of three pathways. This allows you to discover and develop your passion for the scientific discipline and build those core fundamentals to take into subsequent years.

In Year 2, your study becomes more focused continuing with two pathways and the introduction of optional modules as you start to specialise.

After you return from your placement year, your final year will allow you to delve deeper into the topics you have been studying and apply the skills and experience you have acquired to undertake a major research project or dissertation.

Your placement
Although it’s up to you to find your placement, we’ll support you all the way. Our Careers team will provide guidance on CVs, applications, interview techniques and creating a digital profile.

Personal development
Working across different scientific disciplines gives you a unique perspective of how they overlap and as a result you will develop a broad skills set including abilities in maths and statistics, critical analysis, reasoning, logic, solving complex problems, data handling, and project management, to name just a few. The confidence gained from working across multiple teams to understand their nuances and complexities is directly replicable in the workplace. In addition to these valuable skills, your placement will provide demonstrable experience for your CV, all of which make you a stand out candidate for employment.

3 things our Natural Sciences students want you to know

• You’ll be immersed in science and technology communities which are designed to challenge the most highly motivated students and world-leading researchers, all working together to shape current thinking across multiple scientific disciplines. You’ll have access to a large pool of student communities and support networks

• You’re also uniquely placed to boost your employability by making the most of opportunities within each department you are linked to, including state-of-the-art facilities, internships, placements, guest lectures, industry-led projects, practical lab sessions, or fieldwork

• Natural Sciences degrees make you highly employable by showing you can think and work across the conventional boundaries of science