Why study a degree in the Sciences?
If you want to change the world, become a Scientist. From putting a man on the moon to putting a mobile phone in the palm of your hand, Scientists are behind many of the advances in technology and medicine we enjoy today.
3 reasons to study the Sciences
- Great value - The Sciences offer one of the best value for money degrees out there. Not only will you get high student-teacher contact times, cutting-edge equipment and quality teaching – science graduates also earn well above the average graduate salary.
- Work placements - Science degrees can offer amazing opportunities to work in industry in a variety of roles. From large pharmaceutical companies to small research labs, you can add something impressive to your résumé.
- Accreditation - societies and accreditations are a gateway to some of the best scientific roles. Some career paths may even require you to be accredited so make sure to check if your degree offers them.
Science is a general term for the academic or practical study of life or materials across the universe. When most people think of science, they probably imagine a person in a white lab coat surrounded by test tubes – whilst this is true for some Scientists, there are many unique disciplines and areas of study.
The Sciences are generally divided into three academic fields: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biologists study living things from plants to people, Chemists study the properties of substances and how they react with each other and Physicists are concerned with studying forces in the universe. Whatever science degree you end up studying, it will likely involve one or all of these subjects.
As part of your degree, you could:
- spend time doing a wide range of practical and laboratory work, developing skills such as experimental techniques, writing lab reports and data collection
- use specialist equipment designed for your area of study, from electron microscopes to optical telescopes
- take part in field trips to areas of academic interest, including areas of natural beauty locally and around the world
- go on an industry placement or internship to get experience in a relevant scientific area of study
- learn how to prepare, research and write academic papers with guidance on how to submit your findings to a peer-reviewed journal
- Analytical thinking
- Report writing
- Research skills
- Numeracy
- Problem-solving
- Practical lab skills
- Data collection and statistics
- Time management
- Communication
- Teamwork
Popular Sciences careers include:
- Doctor
- Environmental Scientist
- Forensic Scientist
- Geologist
- Laboratory Technician
- Marine Biologist
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Pharmacist
- Physicist
Other careers that Scientists progress to include:
- Consultant
- Lecturer
- Journalist
- Teacher
- Technical sales or journals role
Which humanities and social sciences subjects are right for you?
You can study a variety of disciplines within the Sciences. From Astronomy to Zoology, there are many specialist fields.
Find out which field of Science is right for you.
Astronomy is concerned with the study of the universe – in particular planets and stars and how they’re formed and develop. Branches of astronomy include Astrophysics, Cosmology and Astrochemistry.
Did you know?
In the UK, there is an official royal astronomer. The Astronomer Royal is a position dating back as far as 1675, today the title is mostly honorary but still commands an annual stipend of £100
Biology is a natural science that looks at living things, looking at how and why they behave the way they do – from the smallest living organisms to human beings. Branches of Biology include Botany, Zoology, Microbiology and Marine Biology.
Marine Biology can give you the opportunity to study life in some of the most beautiful places in the world such as Borneo, Galapagos Islands, Azores and Costa Rica.
During my degree, I had the opportunity to work at the John Innes Centre – a centre dedicated to research in plant and microbial science. This gave me a wealth of practical skills and a better understanding of research in my field of interest.
Mellieha from the UK
Completed Newton A levels in Science and Medicine at University of East Anglia
Chemistry is the science of atomic matter. It looks at chemical reactions, chemical bonds and how atoms and molecules interact with each other. Branches of Chemistry include Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Geochemistry.
Want to win a Nobel Prize for Chemistry? Your best chance is to study Organic Chemistry. This field of chemistry has claimed as many as 25 Nobel Prizes, more than any other.
"The Foundation is crucial for your university success. It helps you to start speaking advanced English, get your head around the rules of academic writing, learn laboratory skills and be part of a multicultural society, making lots of friends from all over the world."
Iaroslav from Russia
Completed International Foundation in Science and Engineering at INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester
Geology is an earth science that involves the study of solid matter, in particular the Earth and the rocks and materials it’s made of. Geologists investigate everything from mineral and hydrocarbon extraction to the behavior of tectonic plates.
Did you know?
Scottish naturalist James Hutton is cosnidered the father of modern Geology for his work on establishing Geology as a science.
Materials Science is a relatively new interdisciplinary branch of science that uses Chemistry, Physics and Engineering to explore the structure and design of solid materials. Some areas of research include nanotechnology, biomaterials and crystallography.
Did you know?
Graphene, the hexagonal carbon-based material known for its strength, was discovered and classified by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester.
Pharmacy is the study of medicines and drugs. If you want to work as a Pharmacist, or a similar role in the health services, this is the best route to the profession.
Did you know?
John Snow, one of the fathers of modern epidemiology (public health) studied at the School of Medicine and Surgery in Newcastle; what would eventually become Newcastle University.
"INTO prepares you with all the essential skills required to undertakea degree at university. Since I began studying, my essay writing, speaking and reading skills have really improved."
Annahita from Iran
Completed International Foundation in Engineering and Science at Queen's University Belfast
Physics is the study of matter and motion, concerned with energy, entropy and force. You’ll be primarily concerned with the laws of Physics – a set of scientific rules that underpin how the universe works. Branches of Physics include: Quantum Physics, Aerodynamics, Nuclear Physics and Thermodynamics.
Did you know?
BBC presenter and physicist Professor Brian Cox serves as Professor of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester.
Psychology contains elements of both Biology, Chemistry and the Social Sciences. You’ll look at why humans behave the way they do, measuring physiological responses to testing. It’s a subject that can lead to roles in clinical psychology, sports therapy and psychiatry.
Did you know?
Psychology is part science and part humanities. Depending on your degree you could graduate as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science!
I find Psychology fascinating because I never knew the mind works the way it does. Psychology at the University of Exeter is a great programme – it's research-led, it's modern and it's very well equipped.
Doreen from Singapore
Completed International Foundation in Biomedical, Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Exeter
Astronomy is concerned with the study of the universe – in particular planets and stars and how they’re formed and develop. Branches of astronomy include Astrophysics, Cosmology and Astrochemistry.
Did you know?
In the UK, there is an official royal astronomer. The Astronomer Royal is a position dating back as far as 1675, today the title is mostly honorary but still commands an annual stipend of £100
Biology is a natural science that looks at living things, looking at how and why they behave the way they do – from the smallest living organisms to human beings. Branches of Biology include Botany, Zoology, Microbiology and Marine Biology.
Marine Biology can give you the opportunity to study life in some of the most beautiful places in the world such as Borneo, Galapagos Islands, Azores and Costa Rica.
During my degree, I had the opportunity to work at the John Innes Centre – a centre dedicated to research in plant and microbial science. This gave me a wealth of practical skills and a better understanding of research in my field of interest.
Mellieha from the UK
Completed Newton A levels in Science and Medicine at University of East Anglia
Chemistry is the science of atomic matter. It looks at chemical reactions, chemical bonds and how atoms and molecules interact with each other. Branches of Chemistry include Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Geochemistry.
Want to win a Nobel Prize for Chemistry? Your best chance is to study Organic Chemistry. This field of chemistry has claimed as many as 25 Nobel Prizes, more than any other.
"The Foundation is crucial for your university success. It helps you to start speaking advanced English, get your head around the rules of academic writing, learn laboratory skills and be part of a multicultural society, making lots of friends from all over the world."
Iaroslav from Russia
Completed International Foundation in Science and Engineering at INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester
Geology is an earth science that involves the study of solid matter, in particular the Earth and the rocks and materials it’s made of. Geologists investigate everything from mineral and hydrocarbon extraction to the behavior of tectonic plates.
Did you know?
Scottish naturalist James Hutton is cosnidered the father of modern Geology for his work on establishing Geology as a science.
Materials Science is a relatively new interdisciplinary branch of science that uses Chemistry, Physics and Engineering to explore the structure and design of solid materials. Some areas of research include nanotechnology, biomaterials and crystallography.
Did you know?
Graphene, the hexagonal carbon-based material known for its strength, was discovered and classified by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester.
Pharmacy is the study of medicines and drugs. If you want to work as a Pharmacist, or a similar role in the health services, this is the best route to the profession.
Did you know?
John Snow, one of the fathers of modern epidemiology (public health) studied at the School of Medicine and Surgery in Newcastle; what would eventually become Newcastle University.
"INTO prepares you with all the essential skills required to undertakea degree at university. Since I began studying, my essay writing, speaking and reading skills have really improved."
Annahita from Iran
Completed International Foundation in Engineering and Science at Queen's University Belfast
Physics is the study of matter and motion, concerned with energy, entropy and force. You’ll be primarily concerned with the laws of Physics – a set of scientific rules that underpin how the universe works. Branches of Physics include: Quantum Physics, Aerodynamics, Nuclear Physics and Thermodynamics.
Did you know?
BBC presenter and physicist Professor Brian Cox serves as Professor of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester.
Psychology contains elements of both Biology, Chemistry and the Social Sciences. You’ll look at why humans behave the way they do, measuring physiological responses to testing. It’s a subject that can lead to roles in clinical psychology, sports therapy and psychiatry.
Did you know?
Psychology is part science and part humanities. Depending on your degree you could graduate as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science!
I find Psychology fascinating because I never knew the mind works the way it does. Psychology at the University of Exeter is a great programme – it's research-led, it's modern and it's very well equipped.
Doreen from Singapore
Completed International Foundation in Biomedical, Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Exeter
The following INTO university partners all offer programs which offer progression to a degree in this subject area:
The Complete University Guide 2019
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
Guardian University Guide 2019
Guardian University Guide 2019
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
U.S. News & World Report 2019
(The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020)
(QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022)
Helping you to decide on your degree
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