Natural Sciences is the framework within which most science subjects are taught at Cambridge. If you want to study any of the biological and physical sciences, this is the course for you. The Natural Sciences course offers a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 16 departments in a unique and demanding course. 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.
The Natural Sciences course (or Tripos as we call it here), is a broad-based and flexible course that allows students a tremendous degree of choice in the subjects they study. The aim is to produce scientists and not merely ‘physicists’, ‘biologists’ or ‘chemists’.
In the first year students study three subjects, choosing from Biology of Cells, Chemistry, Computer Science, Evolution and Behaviour, Earth Sciences, Materials and Mineral Sciences, Physics, and Physiology of Organisms; and students will also study Mathematics (one of two courses at different levels). In the second year there are twenty subjects to choose from, with students usually studying three, and in the third year there are seventeen possible subjects to study, with most students focusing on one. Students who specialise in this way, even only in their third year, will get a superb education in their chosen subject, reaching a level as high, or higher, than at any equivalent University. For some subjects there is also the option of a fourth year, leading to an M.Sci. degree.
All experimental subjects have associated practical classes in the relevant departments, and there are supervisions for each subject every week in College for the first two years, and thereafter in the departments.
The Fellowship at King’s is strong in Natural Sciences, with several members of the Royal Society. The large number of Fellows in the Sciences combined with a thriving graduate community make King’s a vibrant place for undergraduates.
Many of the Fellows are actively involved in teaching both in the College and in the various departments. They also organise various other activities for ‘NatScis’ such as the Seminars for Biologists or the King's Maths-Physics Colloquium, both of which occur twice a week, and involve all levels of King’s scientists coming together for an intellectually stimulating and sociable evening.
There is also a King's Undergraduate Maths and Physics Society, which was set up by students to encourage undergraduate research. Each event has three fifteen-minute talks by current undergraduates. They present work to other students and academics, followed by discussion over drinks. The events are chaired by a member of the teaching staff, and the atmosphere is supportive and not too formal, with most of the audience being undergraduates who share interests and a similar level of knowledge. The society is also very helpful to students who want to do internships, putting them in contact with others who already have experience of how to find places and funding.
Fellows in Natural Sciences at King's:
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, from all over the world. All candidates applying for Natural Sciences will be asked to choose between Natural Sciences (Biological) and Natural Sciences (Physical). We usually take fifteen to twenty students per year, broadly divided between those with ‘biological’ and ‘physical’ interests.
Subject Requirements
For both Biological and Physical Natural Sciences, you must have an A level in Maths, and two other science/maths subjects.
For Physical Natural Sciences, we expect students to take Maths and at least one of Chemistry or Physics.
The typical offer for both Natural Sciences Biological and Physical is A*A*A. In Natural Sciences Physical, we may require an A* in Maths.
Pre-registered Assessment
All candidates for Natural Sciences are required to take the pre-registered written admissions assessment for Natural Sciences, which will take place in assessment centres (NOT in your school). You must register YOURSELF in advance to take the assessment. This registration is seperate to your UCAS application and does not happen automatically.
All applicants for courses with pre-registered assessment must be registered in advance. Late registration will not be possible and may result in the application being invalid. Students self-register for the test – their school cannot do this for them. Please make contact with your nearest test centre as soon as possible.
Applicants applying in the 2024 application round for entry in 2025/26 will have to take the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) for Natural Sciences.
Written Work
You will not be asked to submit any written work as part of your application.
Interviews
Most (but not all) candidates are invited for interviews in Cambridge, which take place in early December. Candidates have two interviews, each with two members of the teaching staff in either Biological Natural Sciences or Physical Natural Sciences. The interviews may include discussion of some of your own experimental work in science.
If you are applying for Biological Natural Sciences, you will be asked to bring to the interview a note book detailing some recent experimental work you have undertaken, or an account of project work or of a field trip (this is not needed for Physical Natural Sciences).
If you are applying for Physical Natural Sciences, one of your interviews will involve a discussion of some written materials that we will provide to you 30 minutes in advance of the interview. These materials will consist of a maths problem, that you can work through during that 30 minute period. During the interview, you will then be asked to discuss the problem, and your workings, with your interviewers.
There is no required reading material for applicants, but you may find the faculty's introductory reading suggestions below useful. Many universities have admissions tests and interviews that involve solving problems. In the area of physics and mathematics the Isaac Physics website provides an opportunity to practise the necessary skills for such problems.
The ability to link Physics and Mathematics knowledge in developing mathematical models or descriptions of physical situations is fundamental to the study of Physics at Cambridge. This skill is often underdeveloped at school but there are excellent resources available on the NRICH website. See in particular the article about mathematical issues and physNRICH. NRICH also has excellent resources to support and enhance the study of Biology and Chemistry.
A-level Mathematics is essential for some first year options if you choose them. If you are studying in a different qualification system and wish to consult an A-level textbook, we suggest L. Bostock and S. Chandler (2013) Core Maths for Advanced Level, 3rd edition. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. If your school does not offer Further Maths, you may be able to get support through the Further Mathematics Support Network. See the flowchart below.
Events which may be of interest in the year before you apply include Oxford and Cambridge Student Conferences, CU Masterclasses, Cambridge Science Festival, Physics lectures, Headstart, CU Senior Physics Challenge, and King's Open Days. Students from backgrounds where there is little tradition of entry to Higher Education might like to think about applying for the Sutton Trust Summer Schools or the CUSU Shadowing Scheme.