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Natural Sciences

  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
30 Campuses
More about University of Cambridge

Course options

2027-2028
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Course summary

Natural Sciences is a broad course that gives you the opportunity to study physical and biological sciences from 14 different departments.

The course is flexible, which means you can study a range of new and familiar areas in the sciences before choosing a subject, or two, to specialise in.

You’ll have the option to study a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 14 different departments:

  • Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics

  • Astronomy

  • Biochemistry

  • Chemistry

  • Earth Sciences

  • Genetics

  • History and Philosophy of Science

  • Materials Science and Metallurgy

  • Pathology

  • Pharmacology

  • Physics

  • Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

  • Plant Sciences

  • Zoology

During your first and second year you will study a variety of subjects, some of which may be completely new to you.

You can change your mind about which subject to specialise in as you progress through the course.

You can choose to study purely biological sciences, purely physical sciences or a combination of both.

If you discover a passion for a new subject, such as Earth Sciences or Materials Science, you will be able to continue with it after your first year.

When you apply, you’ll need to tell us whether you’re interested in Biological or Physical Sciences. We use this information in the admissions process.

Your choice of application stream, and the courses that you are currently studying, will affect the types of questions that are asked at interview.

It is best to apply for Physical Sciences if you have studied Physics and Maths A levels. This is because your interview will be on subjects that you have already studied.

On the course, you can take physical and biological science options. But you won’t choose which subjects to study within the Natural Sciences course until you arrive.

There are A levels requirements for some of the first year options. Check the requirements for Year One options.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Robinson
  • King's
  • Newnham
  • Gonville & Caius
  • Selwyn
  • Clare
  • Corpus Christi
  • Hughes Hall
  • Pembroke
  • Peterhouse
  • Sidney Sussex
  • Emmanuel
  • Trinity
  • Wolfson
  • Fitzwilliam
  • Lucy Cavendish
  • Trinity Hall
  • Jesus
  • Queens'
  • Downing
  • Open application
  • St Edmund's
  • Churchill
  • Girton
  • Murray Edwards
  • St Catharine's
  • St John's
  • Christ's
  • Magdalene
  • Homerton

Study options

  • Master of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
C05

University of Cambridge has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
C05

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*A*A

This is the minimum A level offer for this course. The entry requirements at each of our Colleges may vary.

It's important that you check the entry requirements for your shortlisted College(s) before you make an application. Visit our course page for entry requirements information: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci

Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. For example, some Colleges may expect you to have studied a particular subject, they might ask that you achieve an A* in a specific subject, or some may set a higher overall offer.

To apply to some courses, you may need to study specific subjects. Check the course page for subject requirements (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci).

If you haven't chosen your A level (or equivalent) subjects, visit our website for guidance: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
41-42

41 to 42 points, with 776 at Higher Level is the minimum IB offer level. The entry requirements at each of our Colleges may vary. Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum.

It's important that you check the entry requirements for your shortlisted College(s) before you make an application. Visit our course page for entry requirements information: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci

Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. For example, some Colleges may expect you to have studied a particular subject, they might ask that you achieve 7 in a specific subject, or some may set a higher overall offer.

To apply to some courses, you may need to study specific subjects. Check the course page for subject requirements (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci).

If you haven't chosen your A level (or equivalent) subjects, visit our website for guidance: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/choosing-high-school-subjects.

When you apply to Cambridge, you can apply directly to one of our Colleges or make an open application. Please be aware that the entry requirements for this course may vary across our Colleges. Some Colleges may set additional conditions for most or all offers. This could include making a higher offer, asking for specific subjects or specifying an A* in a particular subject.

You should check our website for more information about how to choose a College. It's very important to check the entry requirements at your chosen College before making an application. You can find a list of Colleges that usually make offers at the minimum offer level, as well as Colleges that have additional conditions, on our course pages (linked below).

We also accept a range of other qualifications at a level equivalent to A levels and IB Higher Levels. This includes Scottish Advanced Highers, Welsh qualifications, the Irish Leaving Certificate, and a range of international qualifications. Visit our website for more details about your qualifications: www.cam.ac.uk/entrancerequirements. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences-ba-hons-msci

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Other
My Cambridge Application This is an additional form that you need to complete if you're applying to study an undergraduate degree at Cambridge. Once you submit your UCAS application, you'll get an email from us within 48 hours with instructions and a link to your My Cambridge Application. For more information about completing My Cambridge Application, including the deadline for submission, visit our website (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/cambridge-application).
Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)
Applicants are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT), for which you must be registered in advance. Please check the website for details (www.cam.ac.uk/assessment).

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We adopt a balanced and holistic approach to admissions. We assess all applicants individually, meaning we can adjust our offers to take account of individual circumstances. You can find out more about the minimum offer level for each course on the course pages. Many offers will be made at this level, but sometimes we make an offer that is more challenging to achieve. This is to better ensure that you will be able to cope with the academic level of the course and really thrive at Cambridge.

Learn more on the University of Cambridge website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For information on tuition fees for Home, EU, and international students, please refer to:
www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-finance/tuition-fees

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