What makes the Cambridge Natural Sciences course so special?
The Natural Sciences course at Cambridge is unique in its flexibility and its wide choice of subjects. This is perfect if you are not yet sure what branch of science you want to specialise in, or you want a broad foundation before deciding. The subjects available in the first two years provide a broad basis for specialisation in the third year. They also give students the opportunity to try new subjects beyond those encountered at school; so, some students eventually choose a field they had not considered before they started their degree.
If you are already committed to one subject, such as Physics or Zoology, then the Cambridge courses are recognised as being amongst the best in the country. In their final year, students undertake an experimental research project or extended dissertation, and where relevant, field-work courses away from Cambridge are also involved.
What is the difference between a Biological Natural Scientist and a Physical Natural Scientist and what should I put on my application form?
It is convenient to sub-divide Natural Sciences students into Physical and Biological, even though all students are taking the same course. This is because students tend to fall into one of these two categories, where Chemistry is regarded as a physical science. However, all students are able to select from the full range of Part IA and IB subjects (in first and second year respectively), assuming they have the required A-levels for the subjects they want to take and required Part IA subjects for particular Part IB subjects. Some students may shift from the Biological to the Physical Sciences, or vice versa, during their degree. Roughly 10% of students may move from one to the other over the course of their degree and it is not considered a change of subject.
When applying, your main consideration should be what subject you want your interview questions to be based on. For example, if you have no Biology A-level, we suggest you apply to read Physical Natural Sciences, even if you intend to choose Biological courses, so we can fairly assess your science capabilities at interview using Physics or Chemistry material that is familiar to you. You should select either Biological or Physical Natural Sciences on your My Cambridge Application.
Why choose Newnham for Natural Sciences?
At Newnham, the Natural Scientists form a strong academic community, as undergraduates, post-graduates and Senior Members. We actively encourage interactions between students in different year groups, and with Senior Members, with research and careers talks, and social events.
Senior Members and former students are especially helpful in organising work experience with companies or academic research departments in the UK or further afield during the summer vacation. Many of these can lead to and influence future career decisions.
The College has an excellent library, with one of the best collections of science books commonly used by undergraduates in Cambridge.
How many students take Natural Sciences at Newnham and what options do they choose?
We usually admit around 22 students a year, roughly equally divided between Biological and Physical Sciences.
In the first year (Part IA), you choose three experimental subjects from amongst seven on offer. All students also take one of the two Maths courses. In the second year (Part IB), you take three subjects, either closely related to each other or in more diverse combinations, chosen from twenty one subjects on offer. In their third/final year (Part II), almost all students specialise in one subject (from a choice of fifteen), but there is the option to do a wider final year course in either the Biological or Physical sciences. Additionally, all the Physical Sciences subjects, as well as Biochemistry, Systems Biology, and History & Philosophy of Science, have an optional fourth year (Part III) which is at Master of Science degree level.
For more detailed information on the course structure and the subjects available, please see the webpages for the university website and the faculty website.
How will I be taught at Newnham?
As a Natural Scientist, you will find that your life divides between the University Departments and College.
Most formal teaching, including all your lectures, labs and practical classes, takes place in the University Departments alongside students from all other Colleges. Small group supervisions are arranged by the College to match your subject choices, and take place in College or in your supervisor’s office (either Department or College). Senior Members at Newnham between them cover a wide range of scientific interests and one or more of them will teach you their speciality at some stage in your undergraduate career. For other subjects, your Director of Studies will make arrangements with members of other Cambridge Colleges, University Departments or research institutes in and around Cambridge.
In your first year, you are likely to have most of your supervisions with other Newnham students but as you start to specialise in your second year you may be grouped with students from other Colleges. In your third/fourth year, all your teaching, including supervisions, is mixed with all students across the university who are taking the same Part II or III subject.
Can you tell me more about the Natural Sciences Fellows and Directors of Studies?
For information on the current teaching staff and Fellows for Natural Sciences, please visit our teaching webpages.
What jobs do Newnham Natural Sciences students go on to do?
The Natural Sciences course at Cambridge provides an excellent background for a wide range of careers, both inside and outside science. Newnham Natural Scientists take up positions immediately after graduation or after a post-graduate qualification such as a PhD, MPhil or PGCE. Our graduates work in research institutes, industry, academia or the public sector, or go on to careers in teaching, business management, scientific communication and publishing, finance, law, medicine and the civil service.
Are there any A-level subjects that are particularly useful?
All students applying for Natural Sciences should have Mathematics and at least two sciences at A-level (taken from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths, and including at least one science in addition to Maths and Further Maths).
Those wishing to specialise in Biological Sciences and/or take a biological subject in Part IA require A-level (or equivalent) Mathematics and two other science subjects. While A-level Biology would be useful, it is not a requirement for any of the first-year biological subjects; students without it are advised to consult the College about preparatory reading if they intend to take a biological subject.
Those wishing to specialise in Physical Sciences require A-level Maths and two further sciences. One, or preferably both, of A-level (or equivalent) Physics and Chemistry are useful preparation. Part IA Chemistry presumes an appropriate A-level background, while IA Physics presumes either A-level Physics or Further Maths with plenty of Mechanics. Having both A-level Chemistry and Physics allows maximum choice amongst the first-year Physical Sciences courses, but it is possible to choose combinations which can be studied from a background of only one. In particular, A-level Physics, Maths and Further Maths provide a good foundation for future specialisation in Physics. In general, A-level Further Maths is very helpful to a physical scientist, but it is not a requirement for the course.
All students taking Natural Sciences must take a Part IA Maths course (Mathematical Biology or Mathematics for Natural Sciences). We encourage you very strongly to revise your A-level Maths before coming up, and we will provide structured revision material for the long vacation through the STEMBridge induction course.
Please note that it is no longer possible to take Computer Science in place of one of the experimental subjects. This may restrict the choice of subjects for students with only one science A-level.
Can I take a gap year?
Yes, although we are keen to see clear plans for the year. We provide a reading list to help you prepare for returning to academic study.
How should I prepare for interview at Newnham?
It is a good idea to prepare for the interview to some extent, although too much preparation is not necessary. You are advised to read generally, following your own scientific interests beyond what has been taught in school, as you should be aware of major developments in the field for which you are applying. It can also be helpful to have some experience of discussing your interests and your work with someone unfamiliar to you. You should be able to explain why you want to study the subject that you are applying for, and why you want to come to Cambridge. Interviewers may ask you to elaborate on any interests that you highlight in your personal statement. More detailed information about the interview process is available in the interviews section of the University website (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/interviews).
Is there an Admissions Assessment for Natural Sciences?
All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for Natural Sciences (NSAA) at an authorised centre local to them (for most applicants, this will be your school/college). You must be registered in advance, by 29th September – separately to your UCAS application – to take this assessment. More information about expected knowledge, and for past papers and answers that you can use for timed practice can be found on the University website at: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessments/pre-interview. Please note that Maths forms a compulsory part of the NSAA assessment.
Where can I find out more?
More information is available at the following University webpages:
Course details and entry requirements
The Biology Subject Overview, Chemistry Subject Overview, Earth Sciences Overview and Physics Subject Overview on the ‘My HE+’ website also provides information and resources for exploring your subject.