Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences (NST) is the framework within which most science subjects are taught at Cambridge. The course offers the biological and physical sciences listed below, and the option to specialise or to study a range of subjects.

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Overview

Natural Sciences at Cambridge

Natural Sciences (NST) is the framework within which most science subjects are taught at Cambridge. The course offers the biological and physical sciences listed in these pages, and the option to specialise or to study a range of subjects.

Explore familiar subjects, experience new ones

Natural Sciences (NST) offers a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 16 departments in a unique and demanding course. A broad first year is combined with increasing specialisation in the second year, and the possibility of total specialisation from the third year.

The breadth of the course reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences and before committing yourself to one department you study a variety of subjects, some of which may be new to you. This means you can change your mind about which subject to specialise in.

Visit the Departments’ websites for in-depth subject information and details about current research. All of these sites, as well as suggested reading for prospective students, can be accessed from the Natural Sciences website.

Flexibility and choice

The flexibility of the course makes it possible to take purely biological sciences, purely physical sciences or a combination of both, according to your interests.

Many students discover a passion for the new subjects that they start in the first year, such as Earth Sciences or Materials Science, and continue with these in subsequent years.

Most students pursue a single advanced subject in Year 3 (Part II), and undertake a research project or dissertation in that field. Alternatively, you can take a broader option in either the Biological Sciences or the Physical Sciences. Visit www.natsci.tripos.cam.ac.uk/subject-information/part2 for more details.

Course costs

Tuition fees

Information on tuition fee rates for NST is available on the tuition fees page.

Additional course costs

Year 1

Required: a University approved scientific calculator - Estimated cost £23
Required: a lab coat - Estimated cost £11
Required – some options: safety glasses - Estimated cost £3-£6
Required – Part IA Earth Sciences: field course - Estimated cost £95
Optional: textbooks (available in libraries), specialist equipment (can be borrowed)
Optional – Part IA Evolution and Behaviour: field course - Estimated cost £50 + travel

Years 2, 3 and 4

Required and optional additional costs are dependent on the options taken

Information about additional costs is available on the Natural Sciences website. Refer to the individual Departments’ websites for further details.

Changing course

In the first year, a number of students take Computer Science or Mathematics with Physics and then change to Natural Sciences to continue with Physics from their second year.

In contrast, some students take Part IA Natural Sciences and change to the Computer Science course or Chemical Engineering in their second year. It's also possible (with your College's agreement) to take Part I Natural Sciences and then transfer to another subject such as Management Studies, or another arts or social science subject for Part II.

After Natural Sciences?

Around half of our graduates continue with further study or research: indeed, Natural Sciences prepares students very well for the challenges of research, especially in emerging, interdisciplinary areas. The other half go directly into a broad range of careers including teaching, product development, investment banking and management consultancy.

One of the strengths of the Natural Sciences course is that students develop a range of skills that are highly valued by employers of all types and become well prepared for life beyond Cambridge, whichever pathway they choose.

Course Outline

Course outline

Natural Sciences allows you to experience new areas of science, discover the interconnections between apparently discrete subjects, and gain an insight into different scientific methods.

Please note that some subjects have essential or desirable subject requirements in order for students to be allowed to take them, and these are shown below. For more detailed information on the subjects currently offered, subject content and the pre-requisite subjects needed to study each option, please visit the Natural Sciences website.

Year 1 (Part IA)

You choose three science subjects from a wide range, covering:

Options	Subject requirements
Behavioural Sciences	Highly desirable A Level Biology
Cell Biology	Highly desirable A Level Chemistry Useful preparation A Level Biology
Chemistry	Essential A Level Chemistry (A Level Mathematics is essential to continue to Chemistry A in Part IB) Highly desirable AS/A Level Mathematics
Earth Sciences	Essential A Levels in at least two science subjects Note No previous subject knowledge necessary
Evolution	Highly desirable A Level Biology
Materials Science	Essential A Level Mathematics, and either Chemistry or Physics
Physics	Essential A Level Mathematics and Physics or Mathematics and Further Mathematics, including the section on Mechanics Useful preparation AS/A Level Further Mathematics
Physiology	Useful preparation AS/A Level Biology and/or Physics

You will also study one mathematics option focusing on techniques in either the Physical or Biological Sciences.

Mathematics options	Subject requirements
Mathematics (focusing on Physical Sciences):	Essential A Level Mathematics
Mathematical Biology (focusing on Biological Sciences):	Highly desirable A Level Mathematics

Year 2 (Part IB)

You choose a combination of three subjects, drawn from the following areas:

Animal Diversity
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Chemistry A: Physical & Theoretical Chemistry
Chemistry B: Organic & Inorganic Chemistry
Conservation
Earth Sciences A: Earth Surface Environment Sciences
Earth Sciences B: Earth Subsurface Process Sciences
Ecology
Evolution
Genetics
History and Philosophy of Science
Materials Science
Mathematics
Microbiology
Molecular biology
Neurobiology
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physics A: Waves, Quantum Mechanics, Condensed Matter Physics
Physics B: Dynamics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics
Physiology
Plant sciences
Psychology

Years 3 and 4 (Parts II and III)

You can opt to follow a broad spectrum Part II subject in Biological or Physical Sciences, or you can choose to specialise in one of a wide range of areas, including:

Astrophysics¹
Biochemistry¹
Chemistry¹
Earth Sciences¹
Genetics
History and Philosophy of Science¹
Materials Science¹
Neuroscience
Pathology
Pharmacology
Physics¹
Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
Plant Sciences
Psychology
Systems Biology (Part III only)
Zoology

Some Part II subjects have competitive entry due to limited space. A full list of the topics available can be found on the Natural Sciences website.

¹ These subjects offer a fourth year/Part III option, leading to an MSci degree.

For further information about studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge see the Natural Sciences Tripos website.

Entry Requirements

Typical offers require

A Level: A*A*A
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level

For other qualifications, see our main Entrance requirements pages.

Course requirements

Please note that in the following 'science/mathematics subjects' refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics* and Further Mathematics. It does not include Psychology.

Required by all Colleges: A Levels/IB Higher Levels in at least two science/mathematics, see also subject requirements for Year 1 options
Required by some Colleges: AS or A Level/IB Standard or Higher Level in a third science/mathematics subject and/or particular subjects

For College-specific requirements/preferences, see:

Natural Sciences (Biological): Subject Requirements and Typical Offer by College
Natural Sciences (Physical): Subject Requirements and Typical Offer by College

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries about College-specific requirements.

See also Entrance requirements and The Subject Matters for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.

A Levels

Most students have at least three science/mathematics A Levels. The minimum requirement is two, but this will restrict your choice of Part IA options. In these circumstances, you'll normally be expected to achieve A* in both of the science/mathematics subjects and encouraged to take an additional science/mathematics AS Level. The more useful combinations are:

A Level Biology, A Level Chemistry, and AS Level Mathematics or Physics
A Level Chemistry, A Level Mathematics, and AS Level Biology or Physics
A Level Physics, A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics

If you don’t have A Level Mathematics, you’re required to complete some preparatory work before the start of the course and must take Mathematical Biology as your mathematics subject in Year 1.

International Baccalaureate

The advice above about A Level subject combinations also applies to the IB. For these purposes:

Standard Level subjects will satisfy AS Level subject requirements
Higher Level subjects will satisfy A Level subject requirements

Please note, IB applicants starting the new IB Mathematics syllabus are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for any course where Mathematics is a requirement. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.

Other examination systems

We expect applicants taking other recognised qualifications to have a level of understanding in science and mathematics roughly equivalent to those applying with A Levels.

Refer to our main Entrance requirements pages and consult a College Admissions Tutor for further advice.

Admission assessment

For 2021 entry, applicants for Natural Sciences are required to take a pre-interview written assessment on 5 November 2020, at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college). You need to be registered by 15 October 2020 to take the assessment, and your assessment centre must do this for you. Please note that open centres may set an earlier deadline for accepting entries, and it is your responsibility to check if this applies at your centre. See admission assessments for full details.

Assessment format

The format for the 2020 assessment will be as follows:

Section 1: Multiple choice questions in mathematics plus one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) (60 minutes)
Section 2: Extended multiple choice questions in Biology, Chemistry or Physics (60 minutes)

Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment Specification 2020

Please note that your performance in the pre-interview assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

In addition to the pre-interview assessment, applicants to the following Colleges are required to take a College-set written assessment at interview (see individual College websites for details):

Mature students (aged 21 or over) applying to one of the mature Colleges aren’t required to take the pre-interview assessment, and will instead sit an at-interview assessment. See the written assessments page for more details.

Specimen and past papers

A specimen paper has been produced to allow you to sample the written assessment format and practice under timed conditions. It is not expected that you will answer every question correctly; the written assessment is designed to be challenging. Even some strong candidates may not complete the paper in the time allowed; it is designed to distinguish across our field of high-calibre applicants.

Experience with similar assessments and from trials indicates that, on average, typical applicants to the most highly selective undergraduate courses (who are by definition academically very able) will gain approximately half of the available marks. The best applicants will score more highly, but only relatively few are expected to gain more than 80 per cent of the available marks.

Written assessments help admissions tutors to assess whether candidates have the skills, aptitudes and any required subject knowledge and understanding required to study the relevant course at Cambridge. They are only one of the elements used in the admissions process. Others include a candidate’s academic record and forecast grades in school-leaving examinations; UCAS application form; examples of recent written work submitted to the College to which they are applying; and performance at interview, if invited to attend.

When using the specimen and past papers below, please note the following changes to the 2020 Natural Sciences admissions assessment:

Natural Sciences Admission Assessment	In 2020	In previous years
Section 1	60 minutes 4 parts, of which candidates should answer 2 (mathematics and one of the sciences). Each part contains 20 multiple-choice questions.	80 minutes 5, parts, of which candidates should answer 3. Each part contains 18 multiple-choice questions.
Section 2	60 minutes 3 parts, of which candidates should answer 1. Each part contains 20 multiple-choice questions. Marking solely based on answers on multiple choice answer sheet Calculators not permitted	40 minutes 6 questions, of which candidates answer 2 Marking took account of working provided on question paper Calculators permitted

Specimen papers:

Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 1 Explained Answers
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 2 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 2 Answer Sheet

Natural Sciences 2020 - Section 2 Explained Answers

Past papers:

PDF icon Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2019

PDF icon Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2018 (papers combined)

PDF icon Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2017 - Section 2 Explained Answers

PDF icon Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Answer Sheet
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 1 Answer Key
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 2 Question Paper
Natural Sciences 2016 - Section 2 Explained Answers

Submitted work

Applicants are not typically asked to submit examples of written work. Some may be asked by their College to do some reading in advance of their interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in the letter inviting the student to interview.

For further information about studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge see the Natural Sciences Tripos website.

Resources

Find out more about Natural Sciences at Cambridge

Natural Sciences Tripos - Explore Natural Sciences in more detail on the course website.

Course introduction - An introduction to the Natural Sciences degree.

Natural Sciences FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about the Natural Sciences course.

Learning and teaching - Information about the styles of teaching used in the Natural Sciences degree course.

Reading List - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Natural Sciences, broken down by subject area.

Admissions requirements and advice - Information on the entry requirements for the different subject paths in the Natural Sciences course.

Course costs - Information on the additional costs associated with the study of Natural Sciences.

Transferable skills - A guide to the transferable skills you can develop during the course of a Natural Sciences degree.

Astrophysics

Institute of Astronomy - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to study Astrophysics.

Biology and Biochemistry

Department of Biochemistry - Explore Biochemistry in more detail on the department website.

bioNRICH - Mathematical conundrums with a biological twist.

Chemistry

Department of Chemistry - Explore Chemistry in more detail on the department website.

chemNRICH - Mathematical conundrums with a chemistry twist.

Chemistry FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about studying Chemistry at Cambridge.

Computer Science

Studying Computer Science - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to take the first year Computer Science option.

Earth Sciences

Department of Earth Sciences - Explore Earth Sciences in more detail on the department website.

Meet the students - Profiles of current and recently graduated Earth Sciences students.

Meet the staff - Profiles of the Earth Sciences staff.

Experimental Psychology

Department of Psychology - Explore Psychology in more detail on the department website.

Introduction to Undergraduate Courses - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to study Experimental Psychology.

Undergraduate resources - Department of Psychology resources.

Genetics

Department of Genetics - Explore Genetics in more detail on the department website.

Introduction to the Teaching of Genetics - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to study Genetics.

History and Philosophy of Science

Department of History and Philosophy of Science - Explore History and Philosophy of Science in more detail on the department website.

Mathematics for Natural Sciences

Studying Mathematics for Natural Sciences - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to study Mathematics.

Material Sciences and Metallurgy

Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy - Explore Materials Science & Metallurgy in more detail on the department website.

Studying Material Sciences and Metallurgy - Information for Natural Sciences applicants who wish to study Material Sciences and Metallurgy.

Pathology

Department of Pathology - Explore Pathology in more detail on the department website.

Pharmacology

Department of Pharmacology - Explore Pharmacology in more detail on the department website.

Physics

Department of Physics - Explore Physics in more detail on the department website.

physNRICH - Mathematical conundrums with a physics twist.

ISAAC Physics - ISAAC Physics

Physiology

Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience - Explore Physiology, Development and Neuroscience in more detail on the department website.

Plant Sciences

Department of Plant Sciences - Explore Plant Sciences in more detail on the department website.

About Plantsci - Further information about Plant Sciences as a discipline and the Cambridge course.

Zoology

Department of Zoology - Explore Zoology in more detail on the department website.

HE+ - For 6th Form students who want to further their interest in the Sciences

Discover Uni

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Contextual information

Discover Uni allows you to compare information about individual courses at different higher education institutions. This can be a useful method of considering your options and what course may suit you best.

However, please note that superficially similar courses often have very different structures and objectives, and that the teaching, support and learning environment that best suits you can only be determined by identifying your own interests, needs, expectations and goals, and comparing them with detailed institution- and course-specific information.

We recommend that you look thoroughly at the course and University information contained on these webpages and consider coming to visit us on an Open Day, rather than relying solely on statistical comparison.

You may find the following notes helpful when considering information presented by Discover Uni.

Discover Uni relies on superficially similar courses being coded in the same way. Whilst this works on one level, it may lead to some anomalies. For example, Music courses and Music Technology courses can have exactly the same code despite being very different programmes with quite distinct educational and career outcomes.
Any course which combines several disciplines (as many courses at Cambridge do) tends to be compared nationally with courses in just one of those disciplines, and in such cases the Discover Uni comparison may not be an accurate or fair reflection of the reality of either. For example, you may find that when considering a degree which embraces a range of disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry and geology (for instance, Natural Sciences at Cambridge), the comparison provided is with courses at other institutions that primarily focus on just one (or a smaller combination) of those subjects.You may therefore find that not all elements of the Cambridge degree are represented in the Discover Uni data.

Some contextual data linked from other surveys, such as the National Student Survey (NSS) or the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE), may not be available or may be aggregated across several courses or several years due to small sample sizes. When using the data to inform your course choice, it is important to ensure you understand how it has been processed prior to its presentation. Discover Uni offers some explanatory information about how the contextual data is collated, and how it may be used, which you can view here: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/about-our-data/.

Discover Uni draws on national data to provide average salaries and employment/continuation data. Whilst starting salaries can be a useful measure, they do not give any sense of career trajectory or take account of the voluntary/low paid work that many graduates undertake initially in order to gain valuable experience necessary/advantageous for later career progression. Discover Uni is currently piloting use of the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to demonstrate possible career progression; it is important to note that this is experimental and its use may be modified as it embeds.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other important factors that are relevant to the choices that you are making, but we hope that this will be a useful starting point to help you delve deeper than the face value of the Discover Uni data.

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