Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences is the framework within which most science subjects are taught at Cambridge.

Natural Sciences can be broadly divided into Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences. You will have to tell us which of these you are interested in when you apply, as we use this information in the admissions process. Chemistry sits at the interface between both areas, and in practice, students often study a combination of both Physical and Biological subjects over the course of their degree.

The Natural Sciences course is ideally suited for those with a keen and wide-ranging interest in the Sciences or those who have not yet discovered their preferred discipline. It is broad-based, providing the opportunity for students to study three practical sciences in their first year, plus an appropriate Maths course. There is considerable flexibility in the choices available through the Natural Sciences Tripos, and this is one of its many attractions.

The necessity to pursue three practical sciences means that students often find that their interest becomes focused on a new subject which they have not met previously, e.g. Earth Sciences (such as Geology), Materials and Minerals Sciences, or Cellular Biology. Some subjects, such as Physics and Chemistry, assume prior knowledge of the subject at A-level, but most of the Biological subjects require only a broad scientific grounding.

We normally make between 16 and 20 offers for Natural Sciences each year at Magdalene, and these tend to be split fairly evenly between the Physical and Biological Sciences. We therefore have a large cohort of undergraduate Natural Scientists, alongside a large postgraduate community reading for higher science degrees.

In addition to the core teaching staff (listed below), there are many other active Fellows at Magdalene in the Natural Sciences. They include Professor Peter Grubb (Plant Sciences), Professor Tim Clutton-Brock FRS (Zoology), as well as Research Fellow Dr Claire Spottiswoode (Behavioural Ecology), and public scientist Dr Hannah Critchlow (Neuroscience).

The Natural Sciences are not for the faint-hearted, and we do expect a lot of our Natural Science students, but the course is also very rewarding! You will be taught through lectures and practical laboratory classes alongside supervisions, and complete projects, coursework and field work for some courses. In your first year, you will usually attend 12 lectures per week and have one supervision per week for each of your 4 courses, alongside practical labs. In your second year, you will typically attend 9 lectures a week and have one supervision a week for each of your 3 courses, alongside practical labs, project work and/or coursework depending on the course. The organisation of teaching in the third and fourth years varies depending on the course. All of this still leaves some room for extra-curricular activities and to study beyond the confines of the syllabus, but good time-management is essential! More information about teaching and assessment is available here. The Natural Sciences course can be demanding, and for this reason we do expect those applying to have a strong background in the appropriate sciences and mathematics.

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Natural Sciences Tripos website .

Biological Natural Sciences

Are you enthralled by the natural world? Do you crave to know how the many millions of molecules within a living cell are coordinated? Do you seek to understand how best to protect fragile ecosystems? Are you fascinated by the complex machinery of the human body? If the answer to one or more of these questions is ‘yes’, you may well be a good fit for Biological Natural Sciences at Magdalene.

A strong maths and science background is important. Mathematics A-level (or equivalent) is essential and, alongside that, Chemistry A-level is particularly advantageous, while Biology, Physics and/or Further Maths are very welcome.

Strong candidates typically also pursue their biological interests in a ‘super-curricular’ way outside of their formal studies. For example, you may read books or periodicals about aspects of science that particularly interest you; some applicants may have had the opportunity to undertake scientific work experience or an internship. The quantity of this prior experience is not as important as the depth of your engagement with it. We are looking for people who are always inclined to ask ‘why?’, and who have the intellectual appetite to grasp and explore the answers in logical, energetic, and perceptive ways. 

Physical Natural Sciences

The Physical Natural Sciences stem from an understanding of the fundamental laws of Physics and how they manifest themselves in the everyday world. This encompasses Earth Sciences, Chemistry, and Materials Science as well as just Physics!

A great deal of mathematics underpins the Physical Natural Sciences, and a strong background in this is important. A-level Mathematics (or equivalent) is required, and either AS or A-level Further Mathematics (or equivalent) very welcomed, alongside Physics and/or Chemistry. Many strong applicants take all four of these, though this is not essential.

The first year of Physical Natural Sciences allows you to continue with any of the Physics and Chemistry subjects you have studied (alongside Mathematics), and also offers new subjects such as Earth Sciences, Materials Science, and the option to study some Biology. In the second year, you will take a reduced set of three subjects, and by the third year, you will generally specialise in a single subject. A fourth year (Part III) is available, involving both lectures and an in-depth research project at the frontiers of scientific research.

To apply for Natural Sciences at Magdalene, you will need A-levels (or equivalent) in Mathematics, and two other science or maths subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Further Mathematics. 

Candidates studying the IB will need Higher Level Mathematics and two other science or maths subjects at Higher Level.

For Natural Sciences (Physical), if taking Higher Level Mathematics, applicants are expected to take Analysis and Approaches.

For Natural Sciences (Biological), if taking Higher Level Mathematics, we recommend Analysis and Approaches for the most competitive application, however Applications and Interpretations will also be considered.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*A*A 

IB: 42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have two interviews of around 20-25 minutes each.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We do not require a written work submission for this subject.

Candidates are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). The ESAT is a pre-registration required assessment. This means that you will have to register to sit the assessment at an assessment centre near to you. Registration for the pre-registration required assessment is separate from your UCAS application and it is essential that you are registered by your centre before the deadline. 

For further details see the ESAT website and the University ESAT page.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.