Course guide · updated Oct 2026

Natural Sciences abroad

Physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, earth sciences, neuroscience and psychology. Research-led degrees, routes into a PhD, and live program counts.

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What you study

Ask testable questions, answer them with evidence

Science degrees combine lectures with lab or fieldwork. You learn experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing, and most programs end with an independent research project.

Many graduates go on to a research master’s or PhD. Others use their quantitative and lab skills in industry, healthcare, data, education and policy.

Popular specialisations

Where you can take it

Each card opens matching programs in the explorer, where you can filter by country, level and fees.

01

Biological sciences

From molecules to ecosystems.

Browse programs →02

Chemistry

Matter, reactions and materials.

Browse programs →03

Physics

From particles to the universe.

Browse programs →04

Mathematics

Pure, applied and computational maths.

Browse programs →05

Biotechnology

Using biology to make products and medicines.

Browse programs →06

Earth sciences

Geology, climate and natural resources.

Browse programs →07

Neuroscience

The brain and nervous system.

Browse programs →08

Psychology

Mind and behaviour, as a science.

Browse programs →
Degree routes by country

How long it takes, and what comes after

Typical lengths and post-study work rules as of October 2026. Individual programs vary, so check the course page before you apply.

USAStudy in the USA →
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s is usually a four-year degree, and you often take a broad mix of courses before you declare a major.
Master’s
Master’s programs commonly run one to two years, depending on the program and whether it includes a thesis or internship.
After you graduate
OPT gives up to 12 months of work at each degree level. Graduates of degrees on the DHS STEM list can apply for a further 24 months (STEM OPT). New OPT fees proposed by DHS in October 2026 are not in effect.

Biological sciences (CIP series 26), mathematics and statistics (27) and physical sciences (40) are on the DHS STEM list. Many US PhD programs fund students through teaching or research assistantships.

UKStudy in the UK →
Bachelor’s
Three years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, four in Scotland. A placement (sandwich) year, where offered, adds a year in industry.
Master’s
A taught master’s usually takes one full-time calendar year. Integrated master’s degrees (MEng, MSci) take four years, five in Scotland.
After you graduate
Graduate Route: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years after a PhD.

Integrated master’s degrees such as the MSci, MPhys or MChem take four years (five in Scotland). In official UK data this field covers Biological and sport sciences, Physical sciences, Mathematical sciences and Psychology.

CanadaStudy in Canada →
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s degrees take three to four years. Colleges also offer diplomas (two to three years) and certificates (one to two years).
Master’s
Master’s degrees take one or two years after a bachelor’s. Co-op programs add paid work terms in your field.
After you graduate
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates are exempt from the PGWP field-of-study rule; college programs must be in an eligible field.

Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions no longer need a provincial attestation letter, and IRCC says it is processing doctoral students’ study permit applications in 2 weeks.

Live from official data

Natural Sciences programs you can apply to

Counts by country from our database of official course data, updated as the data changes. Pick a country to see a sample, then browse and filter the full list.

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🇺🇸programs in the USBrowse →🇬🇧programs in the UKBrowse →🇨🇦programs in CanadaBrowse →

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Typical entry requirements

What universities usually look for

In general terms. Every university sets its own requirements, and they differ between programs at the same university.

Academics

For a bachelor’s: Class 12 with the relevant sciences and Mathematics. For a master’s or PhD: a related degree, with research experience valued.

English

Most universities accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, each setting its own minimum. For a UK Student visa your English must be at least CEFR B2 for degree-level study, and your university can assess this. See our IELTS, TOEFL and PTE guides.

Tests

Some US graduate programs ask for the GRE, sometimes a subject test. Check each program page.

Your application

A research statement and recommendations from academics who know your work. For research degrees in the UK and Canada, contacting potential supervisors before you apply is common.

Career paths

Where graduates often go

Common roles for graduates of this field. Where you end up depends on your university, experience, work rights and the job market.

Research scientistIn universities, institutes or industry.
Lab / clinical scientistTesting and analysis.
Data scientistQuantitative skills move well into data.
Environmental consultantAssessments, compliance and sustainability.
Teacher / lecturerSchools, colleges and universities.
Quality control analystPharma, food and manufacturing.
Science policy officerGovernment and research funders.
Regulatory specialistBringing products through approval.

We don’t quote salary figures on this page: they vary widely by city, employer and visa status. Ask a counsellor for current, sourced numbers for the roles you are considering.

Ready to shortlist Natural Sciences programs?

Answer a few questions and the finder ranks universities by how well they fit your grades, budget and goals. Or talk it through with a counsellor who studied abroad.

Sources

Rules, durations and STEM codes on this page were checked against these official sources in October 2026. Live program counts come from our database of official course data; see credits and data sources. Always confirm details on the university’s own course page.

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (last updated 22 July 2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  2. Study in the States (DHS), F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) (checked Oct 2026)
  3. Study in the States (DHS), STEM OPT Extension Overview (checked Oct 2026)
  4. Study in the States (DHS), DHS publishes proposed rule establishing fees for Optional Practical Training (7 October 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  5. QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  6. QAA, Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement (checked Oct 2026)
  7. GOV.UK, Graduate visa (checked Oct 2026)
  8. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Common pathways to college and university (checked Oct 2026)
  9. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Graduate studies (checked Oct 2026)
  10. IRCC, Study permit: provincial or territorial attestation letter (checked Oct 2026)
  11. IRCC, Graduate students: how to apply (doctoral processing time) (checked Oct 2026)
  12. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: field of study requirement (checked Oct 2026)
  13. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: about (length of the permit) (checked Oct 2026)
  14. GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of English (checked Oct 2026)