Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a powerful tool for the investigation of bulk structures on the nano- to micrometer scale while neutron reflectivity provides surface sensitivity. Exploiting the advantages of both techniques by applying small angle scattering under grazing incident beam geometry enables investigations of these structures near surfaces and interfaces. In this paper the benefits of near surface small angle neutron scattering are discussed for a model system consisting of a three block copolymer forming a micellar phase. It is particularly shown that the fcc structure becomes more easily resolved by simply changing the scattering geometry. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.