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Study Natural Sciences

BSc, 3 years (NQF 7), majoring in biology, chemistry, physics, geology or environmental science; BSc Honours (NQF 8) is the real entry qualification for scientist roles.

R52 050 to R95 000 first-year fees16 bursaries list Natural Sciences

School subjects
Maths requiredPhysical Sciences required at some universitiesLife Sciences required at some universitiesMaths Literacy not accepted
Entry details and typical minimums

English at faculty minimum. Physical Sciences is required for chemistry, physics and geology majors; Life Sciences helps for biology and is required for some biology degrees (UJ's BSc in Life and Environmental Sciences, level 4). Some life, earth and environmental science routes accept other subjects instead: UKZN's 2027 BSc (B Sc Generic Degree, KN-P-BG4 / KN-W-BG4) accepts Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences at level 4, and UCT admits applicants without Physical Sciences to the Archaeology and Environmental & Geographical Science majors only.

Typical minimums: Varies by university and major. Mainstream BSc entry usually needs NSC Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the faculty's published minimum - check each faculty points score.

Sources: SACNASP registration basics · Wits Faculty of Science undergraduate programmes · UKZN Undergraduate Prospectus 2027, p.21 (PDF p.29), College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science: lists the BSc as Stream LES (KN-P/W-BS2) and Stream M (KN-P/W-BS3), with Agric Sci or Life Sci or Phys Sci 4; the CAO Handbook 2027 lists the same entry as the B Sc Generic Degree (KN-P/W-BG4) · CAO Handbook 2027 Entry, p.177 (PDF p.189), 19. Science and Mathematics: UKZN B Sc Generic Degree KN-P-BG4 / KN-W-BG4, APS 28, Maths 4, Agric Sci or Life Sci or Phys Sci 4 · UCT 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, Faculty of Science, Note 2 (PDF p.69) · UJ 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, p.87 (BSc in Life and Environmental Sciences: Life Science level 4)

Pay

Yearly gross pay, turned into rand at the exchange rate. The dot is the typical figure. How pay is measured

  • USAR1.2–2.3m
  • NetherlandsR1.1–1.8m
  • GermanyR1.1–1.8m
  • AustraliaR700k–1.4m
  • IrelandR810k–1.4m~
  • UKR840k–1.3m
  • CanadaR800k–1.4m
  • New ZealandR690k–1.1m
  • South AfricaR720–770k

~ limited evidence

Working abroad 3.5 of 5

Scientist roles on shortage lists usually require an Honours, MSc or PhD. A three-year BSc alone rarely qualifies, so demand is counted one level lower here.

Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.

  1. 4UKOpen door · some demand
  2. 4IrelandOpen door · some demand
  3. 4GermanyOpen door · some demand
  4. 4USAOpen door · some demand
  5. 4AustraliaOpen door · some demand
  6. 4New ZealandOpen door · some demand
  7. 3NetherlandsOpen door · low demand
  8. 3UAEOpen door · low demand
  9. 3CanadaRecognised, paperwork only · low demand

AI outlook

TransformingAI is reinventing the daily work

Laboratory and field work are physical; literature review, analysis and writing are being automated.

Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable

How AI changes each field

Careers

  • Environmental scientist
  • Geologist / exploration geologist
  • Analytical chemist
  • Laboratory scientist
  • Research scientist (post MSc/PhD)
  • Science teacher (separate route)

Where to study 8

First-year tuition, as published. My Matric Map can check your results against each of these. Tap a university for its entry requirements and dates. Compare study costs

Country by country: steps, exams, visas and pay sources

In South Africa registration with SACNASP is compulsory. Abroad most science work is unregulated, except geoscience in Canada. The bigger reality is that scientist jobs usually need Honours, an MSc or a PhD.

Professional regulator: South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)

Where it can take you

Pay, in rand at the exchange rate

Typical gross pay in each country, turned into rand at the exchange rate. Compare salaries switches between the exchange rate, buying power and after tax, and says how each works.

United States R1.2–2.3m2.2× SAUnited States TypicalR1.6m Middle halfR1.2m to R2.3m StartingR770k1 year after a bachelor's in chemistry
Netherlands R1.1–1.8m*2.0× SANetherlands TypicalR1.5m Middle halfR1.1m to R1.8m StartingR1.0mNew wo-master graduate
Germany R1.1–1.8m2.0× SAGermany TypicalR1.5m Middle halfR1.1m to R1.8m StartingR1.1mScience graduate
Australia R700k–1.4m1.8× SAAustralia TypicalR1.3m Estimated rangeR700k to R1.4mfrom tax statistics, includes part-time StartingR880kAbout 4 months after completing the bachelor's degree
Ireland R810k–1.4m*1.5× SAIreland TypicalR1.1m RangeR810k to R1.4mpublished range, not percentiles StartingR680kFirst year after an L8 science degree
United Kingdom R840k–1.3m*1.4× SAUnited Kingdom TypicalR1.1m Middle halfR840k to R1.3m StartingR570kGraduate scientist/lab role
Canada R800k–1.4m*1.4× SACanada TypicalR1.0m Middle halfR800k to R1.4m StartingR720k2 years after a bachelor's in physical sciences
New Zealand R690k–1.1m1.2× SANew Zealand TypicalR870k RangeR690k to R1.1mpublished range, not percentiles StartingR560kScience graduate
South Africa R720–770k*South Africa TypicalR750k Pay scaleR720k to R770kone public-service grade StartingR620kCandidate Scientist

South Africa · line: the South African figure · pay range · starting pay · hover or tap a bar for details · gross pay a year, low to high estimate; the bar ends at the typical figure · * weaker figure

CountryTypical gross payRange and starting payOccupation and source
South Africa ZAR 745 900
Middle of the pay scale, as gross pay 2026
ZAR 719 600 to 772 200
lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix E · Converted to gross like the typical figure. PUBLIC, TCE package. Scientist (Production) Gr A, 6 notches; circular 31/2026 adverts at R791,604. Gr B to R961,167, Gr C to R1,189,767.
Starting ZAR 624 500
Candidate Scientist (SACNASP candidate, pre-professional registration), usually after an Honours degree, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix E · Converted to gross (x0.909). Candidate scale R687,036-R729,195 TCE. Production Gr A requires SACNASP Pr.Sci.Nat. Few graduates enter these posts.
Scientist (Production) Grade A, OSD for Engineering Professions and related occupations (Appendix E) - SACNASP-registered natural scientist (biological/chemical)
DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026) · Gross pay: package midpoint R820,565 x 0.909 (less the State's GEPF contribution, 13% of the 70% basic). PUBLIC-SECTOR. Scale quoted as total-cost packages; amounts below are as quoted. Grade A scale R791,604-R849,525; Gr B to R961,167, Gr C to R1,189,767. OSD is not split by scientific discipline. Private-sector cross-check: PayScale South Africa median R283,000 (crowd-sourced, low confidence).
United Kingdom GBP 45 382
Median 2025
GBP 35 629 to 56 957
25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · SOC 2112 (Biological scientists) p75 suppressed (p25 31,080), so minor group 211 Natural and social science professionals p25-p75 used (median 45,333).
Starting GBP 24 000
Graduate scientist/lab role, first job after the degree, 2026 · National Careers Service job profile: biologist ('Starter' salary) · NCS biologist starter 24,000 (chemist 26,000). Research-scientist posts often need a PhD.
SOC2020 2112 Biological scientists
ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · Biological scientists used. Median gross annual, full-time, April 2025. CV 15% (small sample). 2111 Chemical scientists is 39,983.
Ireland EUR 55 033
Middle of the advertised range 2026
EUR 40 000 to 70 000
salary survey range, 2026 · Morgan McKinley Ireland Salary Guide 2026 (permanent salaries) · low confidence · Analytical Chemist, lowest to highest across bands and 5 cities (same source as typical). MM 0-3 yrs: 40,000-55,000.
Starting EUR 33 800
First year after an L8 science degree, 2023 · CSO Higher Education Outcomes, table HEO12 Graduate Earnings (NFQ Level 8, 2022 graduates, year 1): Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics · EUR650/wk x52. Median, earned 2023. Broad field of study; includes part-time workers, so understates full-time pay.
Analytical Chemist (Technical Services and R&D)
Morgan McKinley Ireland Salary Guide 2026 (permanent salaries) · Midpoint of each published band (0-3/3-5/5+ yrs) averaged over bands and the 5 listed cities. Chemical scientist used. Range EUR40,000-70,000, pharma/medtech employers.
Netherlands EUR 72 176
Median 2025
EUR 55 328 to 91 104
25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep (p25/p75 gross hourly) · BRC 2014 0711 Biologen, wiskundigen en natuurwetenschappers, employees, 2025: p25 26.60/h, p75 43.80/h x2080, excl. holiday pay (as typical).
Starting EUR 49 234
New wo-master graduate, 1 year after leaving university, 2024 · CBS StatLine 83815NED Uitstromers ho; uurloon na verlaten onderwijs (median, cohort 2022/'23, 1 yr after leaving) · Wo-master 'Natuur': median 23.67/h x2080, Oct 2024, employees. Many science grads first take a PhD post (salaried employee in NL).
BRC 2014 0711 Biologen, wiskundigen en natuurwetenschappers
CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep · Median gross hourly x2080 (40h x52). Hourly excl. holiday pay, NL full-time ~36-38h; errors largely offset. Biologists and chemists are both in this group.
Germany EUR 72 336
Median 2025
EUR 55 080 to 87 600
25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BA Entgeltatlas (Beschaeftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025, Vollzeit, all ages, Germany · KldB 41204, monthly p25-p75 x12. Biologists, expert level.
Starting EUR 57 112
Science graduate (Master's) as research employee at a university/state institute, TV-L E13 Stufe 1, 2026 · TV-L Entgelttabelle 2026 (valid 1 Apr 2026-28 Feb 2027) · Full-time rate; PhD posts are often part-time (50-75%). Chemical-industry tariff minimum for Master grads (BAVC/VAA, 2nd year, 2025) is 74,050/yr.
KldB 2010 41204 Berufe in der Biologie (ohne Spezialisierung) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten
BA Entgeltatlas (Beschäftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025 · Median monthly gross full-time x12. Employees in social insurance only (no self-employed/Beamte); capped at 8,050 EUR/mo. Biological scientists, n=6,955. Chemists (41304) higher at 7,295/mo.
United States USD 91 240
Median 2025
USD 69 460 to 125 550
25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national (via BLS Public Data API) · OEWS May 2025 national annual 25th/75th percentile for SOC 19-2031; p10 $58,460, p90 $160,830; not top-coded.
Starting USD 43 000
1 year after a bachelor's in chemistry (CIP 40.05), 2022 · College Scorecard field-of-study data (Jun 2026 release), EARN_MDN_1YR · Grad-weighted median of program medians, earnings 1 yr after completion (2018-20 grads, CY2020-21, 2022 $; working & not enrolled, incl. part-time). Many bachelor's chemists start as lab technicians; chemistry PhDs: $85,467, same source.
19-2031 Chemists
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national · OEWS national median annual wage, May 2025. Chemists used as the natural-science representative (biological scientists are split across several codes).
Canada CAD 79 997
Median 2024
CAD 62 400 to 107 432
25th to 75th percentile, 2024 · Job Bank wage data 2025 release (LFS 2023-2024), national quartiles · Job Bank Q1/Q3 hourly C$30/C$51.65 x2080, NOC 21101, LFS 2023-24. Low/high (~p10/p90): C$49,920/C$137,134. Chemists.
Starting CAD 56 100
2 years after a bachelor's in physical sciences (CIP 40, incl. chemistry), 2024 · Statistics Canada Table 37-10-0281 (ELMLP), graduates two years after graduation · Median employment income 2 yrs after graduation (2022 grads, measured 2024, 2024 $); excludes full-time students, includes part-time/part-year workers. Biological sciences bachelor's: C$44,400.
21101 Chemists
Job Bank wage data (open data), Labour Force Survey · Chemists used here; biologists (NOC 21110) median is C$40.00/h. National median hourly C$38.46 x 2080 h. Job Bank/LFS reference period 2023-2024, published 19 Nov 2025.
Australia AUD 114 088
Median 2025
AUD 60 800 to 122 200
25th to 75th percentile, estimated from tax statistics (includes part-time), 2024 · ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24, Individuals Table 14A (occupation unit group x taxable income range); medians from Table 15B · low confidence · p25/p75 interpolated from 5 taxable-income bands (linear density matched to band means). Includes part-time/part-year earners and non-wage income; 2023-24 dollars, not uprated.
Starting AUD 76 000
About 4 months after completing the bachelor's degree, full-time employed domestic graduates, 2025 · QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025 national report tables: median full-time salary, undergraduates, by 45 study areas ('Natural and physical sciences') · Natural and physical sciences graduates, 2025 survey. Biological sciences 67,800.
Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists (ANZSCO 2342)
ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report), via JSA Occupation Profiles · Median $2194/wk x52; FT non-managerial adult-rate employees, before tax. Chemical scientists; group also covers food and wine scientists. Life scientists (2345) are separate.
New Zealand NZD 84 000
Median 2026
NZD 66 000 to 108 000
careers service range, 2026 · Tahatu Career Navigator job profile: Chemist ('most common' pay range) · Tahatu 'most common' band (full published range 51,000-141,000); Stats NZ IDI/Census + IR data, percentiles not defined, no vintage stated.
Starting NZD 54 000
Science graduate, year 1 after the bachelor's, 2026 · Tahatu Career Navigator study page 'Bachelors degrees in chemistry': median employed income 1 year after completion (Stats NZ IDI + IR) · Published in $ thousands; vintage not stated; includes part-year/part-time earners. Year-1 p25-p75 43k-62k; 57% in further study, so many first jobs follow honours/MSc.
Chemist
Tahatu Career Navigator (Ministry of Education / Tertiary Education Commission careers service) · Published range $51,000-$141,000, most common $66,000-$108,000. Chemist used as the chemical-scientist proxy (Biologist T00225 is a separate entry).

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-07.