Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci

Natural Sciences at Cambridge

You’ll have the option to study a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 16 different departments:

• Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
• Astronomy
• Biochemistry
• Biology (faculty)
• Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Genetics
• History and Philosophy of Science
• Materials Science and Metallurgy
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Physics
• Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
• Plant Sciences
• Psychology
• 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.

Choosing between Natural Sciences Biological and Physical

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.

Teaching and facilities

Teaching

We have some of the world’s best scientists, teaching and researching at the very forefront of current scientific knowledge. They are working on tackling some of the most important challenges of our times.

We’ll teach you to become a scientist who progresses their area of science, someone with their own ideas and opinions.

Some of our research includes:

• searching for life’s origins on Earth and attempting to discover it on planets beyond Earth
• using newly developed microscopy method to see for the first time how protein clusters form in living cells
• understanding astronomical forcing of climate change records as recorded in oceanic sediments
• understanding how adverse environments experienced in early development leave a lasting legacy with impacts on later and intergenerational health
• facilitating the early detection of hard-to-diagnose diseases using new sequencing technology that spots the changes in the genes that mark the onset of these diseases

Facilities

The 16 departments that contribute to the Natural Sciences course have a variety of teaching and research facilities.

These include:

• lecture theatres, classrooms and seminar rooms
• teaching laboratories
• Libraries
• a wide variety of study and social spaces

In your final year, you can access active research labs for your project work.

Watch the video to find out what a day in the life of a Cambridge Natural Sciences student is like:

Course costs

When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).

Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here.

Other additional course costs for Natural Sciences are detailed below. If you have any queries about these costs, please contact the course team.

Equipment

• University approved scientific calculator - estimated cost £25
• Lab coat - estimated cost £13 to £16
• Safety glasses - estimated cost £4 to £7

Field trips

• Year 1 Earth Sciences field course (required) - estimated cost £105
• Year 1 Evolution and Behaviour field course (optional) - estimated cost £50 plus travel

For years 2, 3 and 4, any additional costs will depend on the options taken. You can find details on the course website.

Your future career

You’ll be well prepared for life beyond Cambridge, whichever pathway you choose.

This course prepares students well for the challenges of research, especially in emerging, interdisciplinary areas. Around half of our graduates continue with further study or research, based on the Graduate Outcomes survey. 57% of Natural Science graduates who completed their studies between August 2020 and July 2021 responded to the survey.

The other half of our graduates go directly into a broad range of careers, including:

• teaching
• product development
• investment banking
• management consultancy