Natural Sciences (MSci)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Natural Sciences tutors will support you through a formal mentoring scheme. Your mentor will help you find the best route and combination of courses.

You’ll take 1 interdisciplinary Natural Science (NATS) module per semester, and a research project and placement in years 3 and 4. You’ll choose the remaining modules from across the university, depending on your timetable.

Your NATS modules will use both peer-assisted and staff-led learning. They will comprise:

• lectures

• workshop sessions

• group work

• independent project work

Each NATS module will have 4 pieces of assessed work.

Year 1 overview

You’ll complete 2 compulsory NATS modules:

• Independent Learning Skills in Science

• Detecting the undetectable: Analytical Techniques in the Natural Sciences

You’ll choose the remaining 6 modules from across the university.

Year 2 overview

You’ll complete 2 compulsory NATS modules:

• Editing Life: Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology

• Creating an Atmosphere: From Pea-Soupers to Climate Change

You’ll choose the remaining 6 modules from across the university.

Year 3 overview

You’ll conduct a research project that spans both semesters. You can choose from a selection of projects offered by members of staff in other faculties, or you can devise your own.

You’ll complete 2 compulsory NATS modules:

• Engineering the Future: Materials and Devices

• Drugs of the Future: Designing a Magic Bullet

You’ll choose the remaining 4 modules from across the university.

Year 4 overview

You’ll spend the first semester on a research placement. This may be in the University of Southampton, but you may also set up placements at other universities (in the UK or overseas) or in industry laboratories.

You’ll complete the compulsory module on 'Imaging Life at the Cellular Level', and choose your remaining 3 modules from across the University.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Antony Jensen is the course leader.

You’ll develop key transferable skills, in both practical and analytical subjects. Employers around the world will value these abilities, which include:

• independent learning

• advanced problem-solving

• research

• critical thinking

Many of our graduates will progress into the field of research. This course is an ideal introduction to the rigours of PhD study and careers in academia.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the course, our students will be prepared for a range of natural science careers.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: 4T88
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

To help you decide if this is the right course for you, we'll take you through a self-assessment process. This will include an in-depth interview.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000