MSci Natural Sciences (Life and Physical Sciences) with Year Abroad

at University of Leicester

Year 1
The interdisciplinary nature of the course begins in year 1, where you will cover a range of topics, as well as the role of science in ensuring a sustainable society. You will be introduced to key laboratory, computing and research-based problem solving skills.

 

Modules

• Principles of Science: Bonds, Molecules and Cells (double module)
• Laboratory, Computing and Scientific Skills 1 (double module)
• Mathematics for Science 1
• Science, Society and Sustainability
• Networks and Circuits
• Biophysics, Physiology and Metabolism

This is the same as Year 1 of the BSc.

 

At the end of your first year, you will choose one of four pathways. These have some shared modules and some specialist modules. The pathways available are:

 

Chemical Sciences Pathway
The Chemical Sciences pathway is the central hub that keeps you at the interface of physical and biological sciences and connected to all the options available to you as a Natural Scientist. It will appeal if you like not only grounding chemistry in physical chemistry, but also explaining biology with biological chemistry. Your learning will span the structures and transformations that bridge from atoms into cells. You will have the opportunity to study and undertake research projects in chemistry for health and medicine; chemistry for energy and the environment; and chemistry for technology and materials. By the end of your degree, you will have acquired a molecular view of the natural world.

 

Year 1
The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

 

Year 2
Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2
• Specialised modules
• Introductory Analytical and Physical Chemistry
• Introductory Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
• Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

 

Year 3

Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics
• Specialised modules
• Spectroscopy and Physical Chemistry
• Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

Plus your Research Project 3

 

Year 4

Core Natural Sciences module

• Modelling of Complex Systems
• Specialised modules
• Advanced Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
• Advanced Physical Chemistry

Plus your Research Project 4

 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Physical Sciences Pathway
The Physical Sciences pathway is the most mathematical of all of the options. This pathway is ideal if you like not only extracting trends from data, but also constructing predictive models that explain the behaviour of the world around you. You will study the fundamental laws that underpin everything that surrounds us, from the sub-atomic scale up to interstellar scales. You will have the opportunity to study and undertake research projects in Earth Observation, Space Systems, Astrophysics and Mathematical/Computational modelling.

 

Year 1
The first year is common to all four Natural Sciences pathways – see ‘Year 1’ tab for details.

 

Year 2
Core Natural Sciences modules

• Astrophysics, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Evolution
• Laboratory, Mathematical and Scientific Skills 2
• Specialised modules
• Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism
• Light and Matter, Waves and Quanta
• Between Years 2 and 3 you can spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad (see separate tab).

 

Year 3
Core Natural Sciences modules

• Molecular Analysis and Design
• Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics
• Specialised modules
• Electromagnetic Fields and Relativity, Quantum Physics and Particles
• Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics

Plus your Research Project 3

 

Year 4
Core Natural Sciences module

• Modelling of Complex Systems
• Specialised modules
• Quantum Mechanics and Radiation and Matter
• Physics Skills Elective

Plus your Research Project 4

 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

 

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in four years.

 

Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

 

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

 

Year in Industry
An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of laboratory work - and will normally be a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year.

 

Industrial placements are limited and are awarded through a competitive selection process, based on your performance in your first year. Previous students have worked for pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Oxford Biomedica and GlaxoSmithKline, and in research institutions such as the Animal Health Institute and Kew Gardens.

 

A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

• A/AS-levels: A*AA-AAB including two science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General studies accepted. If you don’t have post-GCSE Maths qualification (e.g. A Level Mathematics, AS level Maths or Core Maths) you will be required to complete an online maths module in the September before your course commences.
• GCSE: At least grade B/5 in Maths
• EPQ with A-levels: typical offer AAA + EPQ at grade B. EPQ must be in a science related subject
• Access to HE (Science): 45 credits at level 3, 30 at Distinction
• International Baccalaureate: Pass diploma with 34 points including grade 6 and 5 in at least two HL relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Maths and Physics. Plus grade 7 in Maths SL if not taken as a Higher level subject.
• BTEC: Pass Applied Science Extended Diploma with D*D*D. If you don’t have post-GCSE Maths qualification (e.g. A Level Mathematics, AS level Maths or Core Maths) you will be required to complete an online maths module in the September before your course commences.

 

Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

 

All applicants are invited to an informal interview with a member of academic staff from the programme.

 

English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

UK Students

Starting in 2022

• £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
• Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

International Students

Starting in 2022 

• £21,750 per year
• Year Abroad: £5,437.50, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
• Year in Industry: £3,262.50, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

 

From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

"I can't credit Natural Sciences enough for where I am now in my career; not only did it give me the knowledge to progress to study an MSc, it provided me with invaluable skills in problem solving, working with people and time management skills I use every single day in my professional life"
Siobhan, Forensic Scientist for the Metropolitan Police - graduated in 2015

 

Our programme has been designed and recognised for its innovative approach to employability, winning the Embedding Employability element  of the  UK Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence in 2017 (the only Natural Sciences programmes to receive this accolade). We use a combination of group-work and open-ended authentic assessments (known as problem-based learning) to support our students to develop key scientific graduate skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership. This provides excellent preparation for further study and the world of work and is reflected in our excellent employability statistics, with our students earn an average salary of £26,000 six months after graduating.

 

Over the last decade graduates from our Natural Sciences courses have gone on to work in a wide range of sectors and industries including

• Forensic science
• Medicine
• Academic research
• Data analytics/management
• Consultancy
• Teaching
• Scientific support (sales, recruitment, conference planning, technical support)
• The Civil Service
• Science communication (museum, broadcasting and publishing sectors)
• Engineering
• IT project management
• Sustainability
• The NHS (testing, clinical trials)