Natural Sciences
About this course
BA (Hons) and MSci in Natural Sciences, a multidisciplinary degree spanning Biological Sciences and Physics and Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences. Core topics include Data Analysis. Students can choose between biological or physical application streams upon entry and have the flexibility to combine disciplines or specialise in different areas as they progress. The first year introduces a broad foundation through options such as Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics for Physical Sciences. The second year builds on this with modules including Chemistry A: physical and theoretical chemistry, Physics B: dynamics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and Mathematical and Computational Biology: data science, modelling systems, bioinformatics. In the third year, students select from subjects like Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Pathology. The final fourth year provides advanced study options in Astrophysics, Systems Biology, and Quantitative Climate and Environmental Science, allowing for deep specialisation in chosen scientific fields.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*A*A IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . To apply to any of our Colleges for Natural Sciences, you will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in: Mathematics 2 other science or mathematics subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and, for A level only, Further Mathematics) If you’re studying a science that's not listed as your third subject, please contact the admissions office at your shortlisted College(s) for advice. You may need to have studied specific science subjects to apply to some Colleges and to take certain first-year options. Check the course website for first-year options. Visit the websites of your shortlisted College(s) before applying. College requirements: Biological Sciences College requirements: Physical Sciences
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What students say
Based on about 195 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 550 students who started
- Continued on course: 99%
- Left higher education: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 126 graduates who answered
- Working: 51%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 24%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 16%
- Natural and social science professionals: 13%
- Information Technology Professionals: 11%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 9%
- Find their work meaningful: 73%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 73%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 57%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 53%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 540 students who started
- A levels: 89%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Other qualifications: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
- Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
- Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biomolecules and Cells
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Mathematics for Biological Sciences
- Mathematics for Physical Sciences
- Cells to Organisms: genomes, cell proliferation, signalling, development
- Chemistry A: physical and theoretical chemistry
- Chemistry B: organic, inorganic and biological chemistry
- Earth Sciences A: climate, geobiology, geophysics and the sedimentary record
- Earth Sciences B: igneous and metamorphic processes, mineralogy and planetary differentiation
- Ecology and Conservation: populations, interactions, ecosystems, global change
- Evolution and Biodiversity: evolutionary genetics, behaviour, adaptations, phylogenetics
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Infection and Immunity: microbes, communicable diseases, cancer
- Materials Science
- Mathematical and Computational Biology: data science, modelling systems, bioinformatics
- Mathematics
- Molecules to Cells: genetics, biochemistry, molecular engineering
- Neurobiology: nerves, cognition, neurological diseases
- Physics A: waves, quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics
- Physics B: dynamics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics
- Quantitative Environmental Science
- Systems Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: drug discovery, cardiovascular disease, reproductive health
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Genetics
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Materials Science
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
- Plant Sciences
- Zoology
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Systems Biology
- Quantitative Climate and Environmental Science
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £31,500 after 15 months, £33,000 after 3 years, £48,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £34,000 and £63,000. The £48,000 median after five years is £13,500 more than the UK median for Biosciences.
What do graduates of Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*A*A at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 222 UCAS points.
Is Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist. Accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
How many students continue on Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge?
99% of students continued into their second year, and 1% left higher education.