Course Summary · 2027 Entry
Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge
Key requirements for Natural Sciences at University of Cambridge, compiled from the official course page, with 1-to-1 tutoring from Oxford or Cambridge graduates.
In a nutshell
Natural Sciences (NatSci) is the route into every Cambridge undergraduate science degree except Maths, Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. There is no standalone Cambridge degree in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Astronomy - you apply to Natural Sciences, take three or four sciences in Year 1, then specialise from Year 2 (Part IB) and again at Part II. Physics, Biology and Chemistry applicants all sit through this same admissions process.
Course summary
What University of Cambridge publishes for Natural Sciences.
- UCAS code
- BCF0
- Degree
- BA (Hons) / MSci
- Duration
- 3 years (BA) or 4 years (MSci)
- Typical A-Level offer
- A*A*A
- Typical IB offer
- 40-42 with 776 at HL
- Required subjects
- Two or more science/maths A-Levels
- Recommended subjects
- Mathematics
- Admissions test
- ESAT - Pre-registered ESAT (Mathematics 1 + chosen science). You do not have to declare your eventual specialisation when registering - choose the ESAT science that best reflects your strongest A-Level.
- Interview
- Most colleges run two interviews matched to the science combinations you flag in your My Cambridge Application (e.g. "Physical NatSci" or "Biological NatSci"). Expect to be handed an unfamiliar problem and asked to talk through it on paper.
- Official course page
- https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences
Always verify these details on the official University of Cambridge course page before applying - entry requirements and assessment formats can change between cycles.
Insider tips
Things Natural Sciences applicants commonly miss.
- 01
There is no standalone Physics or Biology course at Cambridge - both are routes through Natural Sciences. If a careers advisor has told you to apply for "Cambridge Physics", the right UCAS course code is Natural Sciences (BCF0).
- 02
Pick the ESAT science that plays to your strongest A-Level, then pick your Year-1 NatSci options to keep your specialisation route open. Many Year-1 options are broader than they sound.
- 03
The Physical / Biological balance you describe in your personal statement matters more for college fit than for admission - write honestly about what you have actually engaged with.