Program Overview

MSci Natural Sciences - 2026 entry

Overview

A true Natural Sciences programme specially designed to let you work across all the sciences without pathways or boundaries. Study at the frontiers of knowledge and take an active part in research - many of our students are publishing their work as early as year 2. Be part of a close community of highly skilled and recognised scientists. Contribute to our understanding of critical global issues, such as climate change, ageing society, food security and urbanisation. Encourages you to follow your interests and develop your own ideas as an independent scientist and researcher.

Entry requirements

• A-Level: AAA
• IB: 36/666
• BTEC: DDD
• Contextual offers: A-Level: AAC, IB: 32/655, BTEC: DDM

Course content

Year 1

• 120 credits of compulsory modules
  • NSC1002: Mathematics and Computing: Integrative Tools for Natural Sciences (30 credits)
  • NSC1003: Foundations in Natural Science (60 credits)
  • NSC1004: Experimental Science (15 credits)
  • NSC1005: Frontiers in Science 1 (15 credits)

Year 2

• 30 credits of compulsory modules, at least 60 credits of optional modules and up to 30 credits of elective modules
  • NSC2001: Frontiers in Science 2 (30 credits)
  • Optional modules:
    • BIO2076: Ecology and Environment (15 credits)
    • BIO2085: Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds II (15 credits)
    • BIO2088: Advanced Cell Biology (15 credits)
    • BIO2090: Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry (15 credits)
    • BIO2091: Bioinorganic Chemistry (15 credits)
    • BIO2092: Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics (15 credits)
    • MTH2003: Differential Equations (15 credits)
    • MTH2004: Vector Calculus and Applications (15 credits)
    • NSC2002: Physical Chemistry (15 credits)
    • NSC2003: Introduction to Numerics and Simulation for Scientists (15 credits)
    • PHY2029: The Physics of Living Systems (15 credits)
    • PHY2030: Observing the Universe (15 credits)
    • PHY2044: Electromagnetism I (15 credits)
    • PHY2045: From Light to Quanta (15 credits)
    • PHY2046: Quantum Mechanics I (15 credits)
    • PHY2047: Condensed Matter (15 credits)

Year 3

• 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
  • NSC3002: MSci Research Project 1 (30 credits)
  • NSC3003: Group Project (30 credits)
  • Optional modules:
    • BIO3037: Ecology of Environmental Change (15 credits)
    • BIO3041: Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry (15 credits)
    • BIO3073: Specialist Topics in Chemical Sciences (15 credits)
    • BIO3077: Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits)
    • BIO3089: Organic Synthesis and Drug Design (15 credits)
    • BIO3092: Bioinformatics (15 credits)
    • MTH3006: Mathematical Biology and Ecology (15 credits)
    • MTH3007: Fluid Dynamics (15 credits)
    • MTH3019: Mathematics: History and Culture (15 credits)
    • MTH3030: Mathematics of Climate Change (15 credits)
    • MTH3047: Mathematics for Environment and Sustainability (15 credits)
    • NSC3007: Macromolecular and Supramolecular Chemistry (15 credits)
    • NSC3008: Symmetry and Statistics of Molecules (15 credits)
    • NSC3009: Aerosols, Clouds and Climate (15 credits)
    • PHY3052: Nuclear and High Energy Particle Physics (15 credits)
    • PHY3061: The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues (15 credits)
    • PHY3222: Energy, Materials and Sustainability (15 credits)

Final year

• 60 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional or elective modules (including NSCM002)
  • NSCM001: MSci Research Project 2 (60 credits)
  • Optional modules:
    • BIOM514: Secondary Metabolites (15 credits)
    • BIOM528: Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences (15 credits)
    • BIOM555: Bioimaging (15 credits)
    • MTHM018: Dynamical Systems and Chaos (15 credits)
    • MTHM019: Fluid Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans (15 credits)
    • MTHM025: The Climate Change (15 credits)
    • MTHM030: Waves, Instabilities and Turbulence (15 credits)
    • MTHM031: Magnetic Fields and Fluid Flows (15 credits)
    • NSCM002: MSci Research Project 2 Extension (15 credits)
    • NSCM005: Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine (15 credits)
    • NSCM006: Advanced Topics in Natural Sciences Chemistry I (15 credits)
    • NSCM007: Advanced Topics in Natural Sciences Chemistry II (15 credits)
    • PHYM002: Quantum Mechanics II (15 credits)
    • PHYM003: Condensed Matter II (15 credits)
    • PHYM008: Physical Methods in Biology and Medicine (15 credits)
    • PHYM012: Solar and Extra-Solar Planets and Their Atmospheres (15 credits)

Course variants

MSci Natural Sciences with International Study

• UCAS code: FGC1
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Natural Sciences

Fees

• UK students: £9,535 per year
• International students: £30,900 per year

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Learning and teaching

• Our Natural Sciences degree will place you at the heart of a community of internationally respected scientists, who are exploring some of the most important developments of the future, and whose enthusiasm for research is matched by their passion for teaching.
• We believe every student benefits from being part of a research-inspired culture and being taught by experts – you will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials.

Assessment

• You will be assessed in all years through a variety of means. These will include coursework, exams, written reports or presentations amongst others.
• You must pass your first year assessment in order to progress to the second year, but the results do not count towards your degree classification and the assessment will not disadvantage students who did not study all subjects at A level.

Your future

• Our aim is to teach a syllabus that you will find intellectually challenging, rewarding and stimulating.
• In addition, to help you develop as a scientist so that you can make a real contribution to the exciting research taking place at the University of Exeter and to important scientific developments long after your graduation.
• Many employers look for graduates with a background in a broad based multidisciplinary science degree, as it allows them to tackle problems holistically.
• This course will help you to develop a wide range of key skills for employment and further study such as analytical problem solving, teamwork, and organising and communicating information.
• Graduates of this degree are highly employable and have found positions working in a wide variety of related roles including laboratory-based positions, industry, law, business, management, teaching and government.

Career Paths

• Academic Researcher
• Auditor
• Bioinformatics Research Assistant
• Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Policy Adviser
• Research and Development Scientist
• Risk Culture Business Analyst
• Software Engineer
• Trainee Operational Meteorologist

Related courses

• Natural Sciences BSc
• Physics BSc
• Engineering MEng
• Computer Science BSc
• Mathematics MMath