Entry Requirements
Typical offers require
A Level: A*A*A
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements.
Subject requirements
'Science/mathematics subjects' refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. It does not include Psychology.
- All Colleges require: A Levels/IB Higher Levels in at least two science/mathematics, see also subject requirements for Year 1 options
- Some Colleges require: AS or A Level/IB Standard or Higher Level in a third science/mathematics subject and/or particular subjects
See Entrance requirements and Choosing your post-16 subjects for additional guidance and conditions of entry.
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
- For Natural Sciences (Physical) if taking Higher Level maths applicants are expected to take Analysis and Approaches. 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.
- For Natural Sciences (Biological) if taking Higher Level maths we recommend Analysis and Approaches for the most competitive application, however Applications and Interpretations will also be considered.
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
All applicants for Natural Sciences (including applicants to mature Colleges) are required to take the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) at an authorised assessment centre (usually your school or college), for which you must be registered in advance.
Please see the Cambridge Admissions Testing website for information about dates and registration deadlines, and check admission assessments for further details.
Assessment format
The NSAA Section 2 Biology component is being updated for 2022. From November 2022, Section 2 Biology will assume knowledge of advanced topics, bringing it in line with Section 2 Physics and Chemistry, which already assume knowledge of advanced topics. See the updated specification document and specimen papers below for details.
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment Specification 2022
- 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)
Please note that your performance in the assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.
Specimen and past papers
Specimen papers and past papers for the Natural Sciences Admission Assessment are available below. Before you attempt the papers, make sure you read the related specimen papers information and guidance.
Please note that the following changes to the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) were introduced in 2020:
|
NSAA
|
From 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 - Section 1 Question Paper (new format for 2020)
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Answer Sheet (new format for 2020)
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Answer Key (new format for 2020)
Natural Sciences - Section 1 Explained Answers (new format for 2020)
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Question Paper (updated for 2022)
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Answer Key (updated for 2022)
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Answer Sheet (updated for 2022)
Natural Sciences - Section 2 Explained Answers (updated for 2022)
Past papers:
(Q&A papers combined)
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2021
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2020
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2019
Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment 2018
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.
All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries.
Typical Natural Sciences entrants (A Level and IB)
Natural Sciences (Biological)
For 2017, 2018 and 2019 entry, the majority of entrants from an A Level background achieved at least grades A*A*A* (76% of entrants). These successful applicants typically took Mathematics (99%), Further Mathematics (37%), Biology (98%), Chemistry (96%) and Physics (26%). In addition to Mathematics A Levels, the percentage of entrants taking all three of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 22%, two of the sciences 75% and only one of the sciences was 3%. For the same period, the majority of IB entrants achieved at least 43 points overall and/or grades 777 at Higher Level.
Natural Sciences (Physical)
For 2017, 2018 and 2019 entry, the majority of entrants from an A Level background achieved at least grades A*A*A* (91% of entrants). All of these successful applicants took Mathematics, 90% took Further Mathematics, 8% took Biology, 89% took Chemistry and 96% took Physics. In addition to Mathematics A Levels, the percentage of entrants taking all three of Biology, Chemistry and Physics was 6%, two of the sciences 81% and only one of the sciences 13%. For the same period, the majority of IB entrants achieved at least 43 points overall and/or grades 777 at Higher Level.
This information is intended to give you a sense of the academic standard of our typical A Level entrants. We welcome applicants from a range of qualification backgrounds.
